Premier LeagueAFC Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham United
Saturday, 14th December 2024
by Chris Wilkerson | Forum match thread
An entertaining game on the South Coast saw two very level teams play out an eventful 1-1 draw this Monday evening.
After a Lucas Paqueta penalty gave The Hammers a second half lead, they were pegged back only five minutes later as Eres Unal scored a beauty of a freekick with 90 minutes on the clock to give the two teams a point apiece.It was a fair reflection of the contest, both sides creating chances and the game ending with a season-high 45 shots on goal. Whatever the thoughts on the performance and the points tallied up, nobody could deny that the match was anything but an engaging watch.
With no 0-0 draws between the two sides on record, and now 8 games in all competitions since West Ham were beaten by Bournemouth, both sides will probably go away happy enough with their evening's work. The Hammers had shaded the first half, the hosts the second, and it was two set pieces that beat the resistance of two good goalkeepers.
Lopetegui made changes once more, with Paqueta in from the start to replace Summerville, and Coufal replacing the suspended Emerson. Paqueta went right wing, pushing Kudus across to the left.
The game quickly settled into a back-and-forth affair, Coufal wasting a good opportunity four minutes in after Mavropanos clipped him down the line. Kerkez missed the clearance, and Coufal followed the bouncing ball in the box, but when he saw no option to pass to, he swiped at an effort and sliced it high and wide.
But the first big, clear chance was Bournemouth's, Kepa going long with a kick forward that Semenyo rose to win in the air and flick on. Two more flicks later, one a boot, one a header, saw Semenyo rewarded for carrying his run forward. It dropped in front of him as he made the edge of the box, but with it bobbling in front of him, the Ghanaian dragged his shot wide when in acres of space.
West Ham soon found their rhythm. A few minutes later, Bowen hit the bar after Kudus turned his man in his own half and burst forward. He played forward to Bowen, and the striker looked to drive at goal, but then slowed and cut it to the side. The two defenders kept going, so Bowen had the space and saw Kepa off his line, so curled a chip that floated over the goalkeeper, only to smack the bar and bounce to safety.
Moments later, Kilman could have done better from a corner moments later, not able to get strong contact on a header close to goal.
The Hammers had taken a bit of control and were on the up. They came close again as Bowen forced Kepa into action with a quick spin and strike inside the box in the 26th minute. It was soon Soler's chance to go close, exchanging passes with Paqueta, the Brazilian now up front to give Bowen the job to track Kerkez from left back, and the makeshift centre forward did well to back in, hold off his marker and then lay off the ball to Soler's movement into the box. He cut it onto his right foot and tried to bend to the far corner, but a deflection took it just wide of goal.
As the two sides tried to find the breakthrough, both had massive chances as just before half-time.
Soucek had a big chance. Coufal carried forward really well, driving off the flank and through the middle, passing back to the wing to Soucek. The midfielder curled a ball too far for those in the middle, only for Kudus to calmly bring it down and reset the move on the left wing. He saw Wan-Bissaka flying forward and rolled the ball into his path, the full back bursting to the line and chipping a ball back into the middle.
Soucek gathered and then hit across goal, but should have done better as it was sliced and bounced wide of goal.
But the hosts rallied late on themselves, and Fabianski was called into action with a brilliant save on the stroke of half-time. Semenyo's deflected shot fell kindly for Dango Ouattara, whose close-range effort was somehow blocked on the line by the West Ham keeper. With the forward passing back across goal, Fabianski threw himself across goal and his legs saved the day.
The half ended with clean sheets intact, Lopetegui's side having edged it. The second half was different, with Iraola reacting and his team improving to be the better of the two sides.
Bournemouth started the second half with intensity. Ouattara's shot across goal was deflected wide in the 47th minute, while Semenyo, now operating on the left, cut inside but could only produce a tame shot for Fabianski to collect. Semenyo had switched sides, too, and quickly dribbled well to cause trouble down the wing, before cutting in to hit a tame shot at Fabianski.
The visitors continued to press, with Ryan Christie testing Fabianski from distance in the 50th minute. A flowing counter-attack in the five minutes later saw Ouattara square to Semenyo in a central position, but his low shot was blocked by Max Kilman, who looked to have denied a certain goal.
Soler was replaced by Fullkrug as the manager looked to shift the momentum. Bournemouth quickly had a chance, Zabarnyi losing the German striker in the box to meet a cross from Christie, but the defender headed wide with space to do much more.
Still, the change made a difference. Bournemouth seemed to lose their suffocating control and the balance returned.
It looked like it may have paid off, after Fullkrug found Kudus in the box with a fantastic pass. The winger looked set to score, but as he gathered his feet, Zabarnyi threw himself into a slide desperately, and he managed to get a challenge in to halt Kudus close to goal.
Evanlison was close a moment later and brought the best of Fabianski. A corner to the near post curled into the six-yard box and was flicked at goal, and it looked to be rifling into the roof of the net, only for a Fabianski hand to fly up and tip it over at the last moment.
And so the manager turned to his bench again. This time, there was a little surprise as Summerville stepped up with young Ollie Scarles, the wing back making his Premier League debut, with Kudus and Alvarez replaced as The Hammers went to a back three/five.
It was brave, especially with the teams entering the final 15 minutes. The Cherries have scored 39% of their goals inside the last 15 minutes of games this season, and would be flowing forward with confidence and the home fans behind them.
Substitute Billing could have done more with a chance, and then Christie stretched Fabianski with a rasping effort, but the drama came at the other end.
Wan-Bissaka, now on the right, chipped in a cross and Fullkrug got his header on it as his marker floundered. The German got a free header on the ball from six yards out, yet could only head right at Kepa, who was grateful to receive the ball in his arms from such close range.
It looked a chance wasted, but suddenly the game was stopped. VAR was having a look, but at what? Replays were up, and it soon became clear. Well, not exactly clear, but as it repeated the ball going past Tyler Adams' hand over and over, you could see the issue. A deflection as it brushed the midfielder's hand ever so slightly was enough, even if it had helped West Ham in the moment, and The Hammers had a penalty.
Soucek protected the ball as Bournemouth argued, but Paqueta was handed the ball and was unfazed. His typical run, with a little skip and step in the middle, ended with the ball passed calmly into the bottom corner and a 1-0 lead for the visitors. Off he sprinted to the sidelines, embracing his manager and sending a message of support, one that has been very much needed.
There was very little time to enjoy it, as soon the hosts were level. Piling forward, with pressure around the box, Mavropanos saw a chance to steal the ball some 25 yards out. Unfortunately, it was his one mistake a game, a rash challenge giving Bournemouth a chance from distance, centre of goal.
It was by no means an easy opportunity, but substitute Eres Unal stepped up and powered an absolutely beautiful drive that curled away from Fabianski and rifled into the corner to level the scores on 90 minutes. There could be no complaints, it was a stunning strike and the least his team deserved.
The 1-1 was a fair result, with both sides somewhat frustrated to not take all three points, but also happy with the point gained and the strong performances.
Lopetegui's team are now seven points clear of Ipswich in 18th, and this was a good point against a Bournemouth side who would have gone fifth with a win.
What it does for Lopetegui is give more evidence of something to hold onto. With a slightly more pragmatic use of the full backs in recent games, the team look far better. His side play three games within eight days of each other now, with Christmas squeezed in the middle, and that may buy him as much time as anything else. What he does with that time could be the story of his tenure.
Manager's Rating
Julen Lopetegui 8/10: A good first half, and some good changes in the second half that interrupted the rhythm and momentum Bournemouth had going. Using the youngsters was a very good thing to see, and this was a very good point on the road against a team in flying form.
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Click to view all West Ham United vs AFC Bournemouth match reports Click to view all match reports by Chris Wilkerson Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.Player Ratings
Lukasz FabianskiSome excellent saves kept his team alive, only to be beaten by a rocket of a freekick. His form has been a real blessing.
Vladimir Coufal
Slotted in very well, and it's going to be interesting to see what the manager does with Emerson returning. Will the side look so balanced?
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Defended the left flank well, and probably should have come away with two assists.
Konstantinos Mavropanos
He was having a good game, until that customary rash decision cost another goal. This time, it feels a bit more unlucky, considering the quality of the freekick to punish him, but when he make regular mistakes, you won't be let off the unlucky ones.
Max Kilman
The defence looked better for most of the game than it has since Newcastle, and Kilman made some key blocks in front of goal to save goals.
Edson Alvarez
He is asked to do a lot, but the midfield does look better with him anchoring it and working hard. Not at his best yet, but this is a better team with him in it.
Tomas Soucek
Active defensively, made an impact in the opposition box, but should have scored and some rougher passing.
Carlos Soler
A decent first half, but struggled to have a real impact on the game and was rightly withdrawn.
Lucas Paqueta
Brighter moments, some more frustrating ones, but created a big chance up front and did well to take the pressure and then put that penalty away.
Jarrod Bowen
Had a good stint up front, didn't make a great deal of impact on the wing, but created and threatened.
Mohammed Kudus
Could have been better, but was a threat when there was chaos. It can be questioned whether he suits the slower build of this team, and he doesn't look sharp yet, but he's been a threat again.
Substitutes
Niclas Fullkrug(Soler 55) Should have scored that header, but created a great chance for Kudus with a good pass.
Crysencio Summerville
(Kudus 74) Didn't really get into the game and not a great showing.
Ollie Scarles
(Alvarez 74) Actually did some very good defending, solid challenges and was full of energy. Didn't look out of place.
Kaelan Casey
(Wan-Bissaka 90) No comments.
Alphonse Areola
Did not play.
Lewis Orford
Did not play.
Andy Irving
Did not play.
Luis Guilherme
Did not play.
Danny Ings
Did not play.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman, Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek, Carlos Soler, Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus.Goals: Lucas Paqueta 87 .
Booked: None booked. .
Sent Off: None sent off. .
AFC Bournemouth: Kepa, Smith (Adams 68), Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez, Christie, Cook, Ouattara, Kluivert (Billing 81), Semenyo (Brooks 68), Evanilson (Ünal 81).
Subs not used: Travers, Aarons, Hill, Kinsey, Winterburn.
Goals: Ünal (90).
Booked: None booked..
Sent off: None.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh.
Attendance: 11,204.
Man of the Match: Lukasz Fabianski.