Leeds were initially awarded a third-minute penalty for a Matias Vina handball inside the box but VAR intervened and a free-kick was instead given with the offence taking place marginally outside of the box.
Instead, Bournemouth went ahead in the 20th minute through Jefferson Lerma who netted with a curling finish from the edge of the box as he followed up a Philip Billing shot that was blocked after a pullback from Dominic Solanke. Things then went from bad to worse for Leeds just four minutes later as Illan Meslier flapped a corner straight to Lerma who rifled home a finish into the roof of the net to double his tally.
Leeds pulled a goal back eight minutes later as Patrick Bamford headed home a Willy Gnonto cross, after which the Whites lost captain Liam Cooper to injury as Max Wober replaced the skipper. But the Cherries bagged a third goal three minutes after the hour mark through Solanke who got on to the end of a cross from Jaidon Anthony who had got in behind Wober from a Dango Ouattara long ball.
In the first minute of six added minutes, the Cherries then added a fourth goal through Antoine Semenyo who was played in behind Luke Ayling before firing a finish underneath Meslier.
Graham Smyth, the YEP’s chief football writer, hands out the scores from a defeat that leaves Leeds fifth-bottom and only point ahead of the bottom three with a trip to Manchester City and then home clash against Newcastle United next on the agenda.
1. Illan Meslier
2 - Dropped a clanger for the second goal, the fourth went under him and his kicking was an issue. Photo: Michael Steele
2. Rasmus Kristensen
3 - Some dreadful distribution from centre-back, admittedly not his position. Photo: Warren Little
3. Robin Koch
3 - Shaky defensively, played aimless balls down the channel. Photo: Michael Steele
4. Liam Cooper
6 - Made two important blocks. Was beaten in the air by the giant Billing in the build up to the second. Off early with an injury. Photo: STEVE BARDENS
5. Luke Ayling
3 - Unable to get near Semenyo for the fourth. Showed some forward impetus. Photo: STEVE BARDENS
6. Jack Harrison
4 - Tried to get up and down but couldn't do enough. Defending for the first was poor, albeit after a pitch-length sprint. Position asked a huge amount. Photo: STEVE BARDENS