Ryan Christie scored a hat-trick as Bournemouth cruised past Lincoln City 4-0 in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday night. The emphatic victory at the Vitality Stadium delivered a first win for new head coach Marco Rose and provided a timely boost ahead of a demanding Premier League schedule.
The Scotland international midfielder opened the scoring after just seven minutes, finishing from a Ben Gannon-Doak assist. He added his second in the 69th minute and completed his treble with an 88th-minute strike. Substitute Rayan put the gloss on the performance with a fourth goal deep into stoppage time, sealing a comprehensive win.
Bournemouth controlled the game from start to finish, creating a host of chances. James Hill came close with a powerful 25-yard effort that struck both the post and crossbar. Left-back Julio Soler also curled a shot wide from distance, while Bafode Diakite forced a save from Lincoln goalkeeper Joe Gauci with a headed effort from a long throw. Gauci was busy throughout, making several stops to keep the scoreline respectable.
The Cherries' dominance was such that they conceded only one clear chance. On-loan Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio enjoyed a quiet debut, while Uruguayan striker Alvaro Rodriguez was handed his first start for the club. "It was a top performance for 94 minutes and we had many shots on and off target," said Marco Rose. "We only gave one chance away, so I am really happy."
The win offers a positive turn after a frustrating opening to Rose's Premier League tenure. Bournemouth have picked up just two points from their first three league games, sitting 15th in the table with a record of zero wins, two draws and one loss. They have scored four goals and conceded five, leaving them with a minus-one goal difference and already seven points behind leaders Manchester City. Late goals conceded against Manchester City, Everton and Newcastle have cost them valuable points.
Rose had expressed his frustration over those results, making this cup progress a welcome relief. He now faces a packed fixture list that includes European football, domestic cups, and demanding league matches. The immediate focus shifts to a home Premier League clash against Brentford, who are currently fifth, this Saturday. Fans can check the full fixtures schedule for the coming weeks.
Lincoln City, managed by joint-head coach Chris Cohen, set up to frustrate Bournemouth. Their aim was to stay in the game until at least the 60-minute mark, but they struggled with their in-possession play and defending set-pieces. Ryley Towler was the only player to retain his place from their previous 1-1 draw with Southampton, and the team fielded several new signings.
"Certain players had moments in the game, but overall Bournemouth were by far the better team," Cohen admitted after the match. The gulf in class was evident, and the defeat ends Lincoln's cup run. The two sides had not met since 2010 when both were in England's fourth tier.
Attention now returns fully to the Premier League and the challenge of improving their standings position. The victory will build confidence within a squad that is still integrating new faces like Di Gregorio and Rodriguez. Christie's second career hat-trick highlights his importance in the attacking midfield role.
The team must prepare quickly for the visit of Brentford on 12 September 2026. It represents a significant opportunity to secure a first league win of the season in front of their own supporters at the Vitality Stadium.
