West Ham managed a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth on Monday night time, in an admittedly subdued affair that secured the Hammers a fifth consecutive residence win.
A primary half that lacked any actual innovative high quality was slowed down by a number of Bournemouth gamers struggling accidents and each side struggling to knit play collectively within the last third. Crucially, although, the Hammers pulled forward proper earlier than half-time with a controversial purpose, that appeared to contain a handball earlier than being headed in by Kurt Zouma.
Quality was nonetheless missing considerably after the break, however West Ham pushed Bournemouth and got here near doubling their lead on a number of events. The Cherries held on to provide themselves an opportunity of stealing a end result, however did not transfer the ball properly sufficient and have been punished by a harsh penalty resolution on the demise.
Both sides felt their method into proceedings very slowly, with spells of possession wanting admittedly sloppy from the off. It was West Ham who began brighter, although, and picked up shortly at residence, knocking on the door on multiple event.
Flynn Downes got here near giving the hosts the lead after 20 minutes however as a substitute compelled a effective block from Chris Mepham, earlier than Neto was referred to as into motion to disclaim the rebound. Tomas Soucek then tried his luck, however a superb transfer was finally pulled again for an offside towards Gianluca Scamacca.
Injuries firstly to Neto after which to Dominic Solanke – who was finally compelled off – unsettled Bournemouth. They made a large number of defending a nook on the cusp of half-time, permitting West Ham to take the lead by Kurt Zouma who obtained the final contact on a free ball that had come off Thilo Kehrer’s arm within the construct up.
After dropping Solanke simply earlier than half-time, Neto was additionally unable to proceed regardless of his greatest efforts and was changed by Mark Travers for the second half, with accidents coming down arduous on the Cherries.
David Moyes’ aspect clearly smelled blood and picked up the tempo after the break. Jefferson Lerma was lucky to not be despatched off for an off the ground sliding problem on Gianluca Scamacca, with Bournemouth wanting more and more determined, however crucially not buckling.
Substitute stopper Travers obtained down properly simply earlier than the hour mark to paw away Jarrod Bowen’s low effort heading for the underside nook. He was referred to as into motion once more shortly after to divert a long-range effort from Declan Rice, to maintain his aspect within the recreation.
A uncommon enterprise ahead for Bournemouth noticed Kieffer Moore fizz a teasing ball throughout Lukasz Fabianski’s purpose, however no one might get join with it. The guests perked up within the closing levels having stored the Hammers to only one purpose, and may’ve completed extra to capitalise on Fabianski failing to carry a cross late on.
Just as Bournemouth probed, they have been derailed within the last minute of regulation time when VAR awarded West Ham a penalty for a handball towards a sliding Jordan Zemura. Said Benrahma transformed with confidence to safe the win, harshly resigning Gary O’Neill’s aspect to back-to-back defeats for the primary time since August.
