Rotherham United 0 Bournemouth 2: ‘Absolute shocker’ earns Evans’s wrath

Goals from captain Tommy Elphick in first-half stoppage-time and a 62nd-minute effort from Callum Wilson kept Bournemouth top.

Evans said of referee Martin: “He’s had an absolute shocker from start to finish. I think our supporters made it known what they thought. That’s the worst official we have had in about five years. I don’t remember playing away from home and getting so many decisions from a match official, I think that’s quite hard to take as a manager.

“I think we’re unfortunate to concede before half-time because if you’ve got a stopwatch that’s the same as mine, he’s over time.”

Evans also criticised Bournemouth players Matt Ritchie and Wilson for making the most of home challenges, but feels the visiting team will go up.

“They are two of the most gifted players on the pitch, but how they have not been booked for simulation – the mind boggles,” he said.

“I thought for large parts of the game we gave the best team in the league a run for their money.

“Give credit to Eddie (Howe). There has been some fantastic investment down at Bournemouth. Eddie has spent the owner’s money very, very wisely and put a formidable team together who play proper, proper football and they are a credit to the Championship.”

Rotherham United: Collin, Richardson, Morgan, Arnason, Fryers (Milsom 57); Hammill, Green, Smallwood, Barmby (Newton 57), Ward (Bowery 75); Sammon. Unused substitutes: Broadfoot, Pringle, Derbyshire, Thompson.

Bournemouth: Camp, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie (Kermorgant 90), Surman, Arter, Pugh (Smith 90), Pitman; Wilson (Gosling 80). Unused substitutes: Stanislas, Fraser, Flahavan, O’Kane.

Referee: P Gibbs (West Midlands).

Man of the match: Callum Wilson.