AFC Bournemouth’s Premier League Player of the Month for March

Name: Steve Cook
Position: Centre-Back

Steve Cook celebrates his winning goal against Swansea in March. Photo: Kieran Clarke/Offside

Bournemouth were just five points above the relegation zone and without a win in four matches as they entered into their March fixtures, but nine points from a possible 12 meant that they ended the month 12 points above Sunderland in 18th, and on the cusp of Premier League survival.

One of their heroes in those three victories was defender Steve Cook, who scored an acrobatic effort to open the scoring in the south coast derby against Southampton at the Vitality Stadium, ending the match against their local rivals with a clean sheet in a 2-0 success.

The 24-year-old then helped the Cherries to a 3-1 win at relegation-threatened Newcastle United, but better was still to come for the centre-back as he netted the winner in the 3-2 triumph against fellow strugglers Swansea at home, this time from a header.