With Wolves slipping down the PL table in three consecutive years, and losing prime talent this summer, a strong start would be needed to prove their critics wrong.
Sadly for them, their hopes of beginning assertively at the Vitality Stadium were dashed within four minutes, when Tyler Adams won possession in the middle of the park and found Antoine Semenyo with a crucial pass.
He in turn played the ball to Marcus Tavernier inside the box, allowing him to fire via a deflection past José Sá for his first goal since March.
Frustratingly for Wolves, that setback came just a minute after Marshall Munetsi fired over the bar. Yet, although Bournemouth were in control for much of the opening half-hour, Jørgen Strand Larsen came close to a headed leveller on 18’, forcing a reflex save from Đorđe Petrović.
As if the afternoon wasn’t already frustrating enough for Wolves boss Vitor Pereira, he was then forced to withdraw Ki-Jana Hoever through injury, as the remainder of the first half flew by with no goalmouth action of note.
As if that wasn’t enough in itself, Wolves’ situation then shifted from dire to dismal shortly after the restart, when Toti was dismissed for a professional foul on Evanilson as he bore down on goal.
That didn’t spark the expected onslaught though, which was something of a surprise when considering that each of Bournemouth’s seven goals prior to today had come after HT.
Instead, they utilised the numerical advantage by persisting with controlled possession over all-out attack, though Adams could have finished Wolves with 25 to go, as his rising shot from the edge of the box was thwarted by Sá’s quick thinking.
Bournemouth fans of a more superstitious mind may have had some room for concern in the dying minutes, given that the away side on the day had won each of the previous five league meetings.
But the Cherries never looked in danger of continuing that streak, and could have won by an even clearer margin, had Justin Kluivert kept his powerful 81st-minute shot at the left post on target.
The Dutchman also saw a direct free kick blocked by the Wolves wall, but as it was, just the one goal proved enough.
With this victory, Bournemouth will hope to improve on the somewhat disappointing 40 per cent win rate they got last season as home league favourites.
Wolves, meanwhile, remain without a goal this campaign, and now face what could be a crucial home game against Everton a week today.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth)
