Dang Ouattara's second-half hat-trick fired Bournemouth to a stunning 5-0 home win over high-flying Nottingham Forest to boost hopes of a shock Champions League finish.
The Cherries followed up last weekend's impressive 4-1 victory over Newcastle with another sensational victory as they handed the third-placed Premier League side their first defeat in all competitions since the start of December.
Unstoppable Bournemouth extended their club-record unbeaten run in the Premier League to 11 games to move just a point off the top four, with Forest's hopes of a surprise title challenge badly damaged as they fell nine points behind leaders Liverpool, who has a game in hand.
Unfortunately, Forest were rocked in the ninth minute when Bournemouth's hat-trick hero against Newcastle, Justin Kluivert, struck again with a scorching long-range opener that hit the bottom corner.
Bournemouth then ran riot in the second half as Ouattara's quick-fire double put the home side in complete control as he headed home brilliantly in the 55th minute before scoring low six minutes later.
Ouattara then completed his hat-trick in the 87th minute when he headed home from close range before Antoine Semenyo added a fifth in stoppage time to cap off a fantastic performance for Andoni Iraola's side, who will be eyeing another big win next Saturday when they meet the leader Liverpool at home.
Man of the match: Dango Ouattara
Dango Ouattara scored a hat-trick in Bournemouth's sensational 5-0 home win over Nottingham Forest.
With a sensational performance, Ouattara became the first hat-trick scorer from Burkina Faso in the Premier League.
He scored from three of his four shots on target and stepped up significantly for the Cherries with strikers Evanilsson and Enes Unal out with long-term injuries.
Ouattara now has 10 Premier League goals for Bournemouth this term (six goals, four assists), more than in his first two seasons in the competition combined (two goals, five assists).
Iraola: First goal was key to 'great result'
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola speaking at the post-match press conference:
“It's best to enjoy it. Enjoy today. You can look at the table, but that won't give us anything.
“We have to go game by game. You can enjoy every week. That's what we need to focus on.
“I think it's a great result. A very good performance. The key was to get the first goal – they've won every game since the first half, so the key was to be in front and make them change their approach.
Outtara completes his hat-trick at the Vitality Stadium
“I think Forest are having a great season, even after this result they are four points ahead of us.
“But I'm not going to change our approach and I'm not going to look at the table. Let's keep doing the same things.”
Nuno: The 'surprising' defeat must be a 'warning to all'
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking at the post-match press conference:
“I think it surprised everyone, especially the way we started the game. It was bad, from start to finish it was a bad day.
“We have to understand how we do things, how we play football. We shouldn't allow so much space for quality players. The moment we lose that aspect of the game it becomes much more difficult.
“We have to look at today and make sure it doesn't happen again. It has to be a warning to everyone. The players, the staff and the fans.”
Analysis: Iraola's magic has Bournemouth dreaming of Europe
Bournemouth were stunningly outstanding in their win over Forest.
The quality of goals, free-flowing football and their defensive solidity shone through in a victory that will boost the belief that a joyous Bournemouth can qualify for Europe.
Justin Kluivert celebrates after giving Bournemouth an early lead against Forest
Cherry boss Iraola is the architect of all this and he will no doubt be linked with bigger deals in the coming months with the magic he works on the south coast.
Bournemouth beat Forest to record their biggest win in the top flight since April 2019. Iraola's seventh-placed side have now won four of their first seven this season, so their 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions is no fluke.
In a topsy-turvy Premier League season where the bigger sides have struggled, Bournemouth have taken full advantage and this stunning display will give them a scare.
Leaders Liverpool head to the Vitality Stadium with Bournemouth eyeing another massive scalp.
Beat the Reds and Bournemouth will not only be seen as a European hope, but a genuine Champions League contender, especially with fifth place potentially being enough for Champions League qualification this season.