Junior Stanislas scored his sixth goal in six Championship games as Bournemouth edged past 10-man Wycombe to move top of the table on goal difference.
The Cherries forward tapped in a low David Brooks cross four minutes after Alex Pattison was given a straight red card for the visitors for a lunging challenge on Lewis Cook.
Until then Wycombe had frustrated their hosts, restricting them to half-chances and starting the second half brightly in front of 2,000 fans at Vitality Stadium.
Adebayo Akinfenwa's header forced Asmir Begovic into a save as Gareth Ainsworth's side never gave up but they are now without a win in nine league games.