Hopes Of Win Crushed After Cherries Comeback

In what was their first and only away game in November, West Ham United drew 2-2 with AFC Bournemouth at The Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon, meaning Nuno Espírito Santo still hasn’t beaten Andoni Iraola but, on the plus side for the Hammers, they are out of the relegation zone.

The Irons Head-Coach made two changes from the 3-2 home victory against Burnley before the international break, as Brighton and Hove Albion loanee Igor Julio finally made his full debut for the club after arriving in East London at the end of August, while youngster Luis Guilherme made a rare start as they both came into the starting line-up for the suspended Lucas Paquetá and Crysencio Summerville, who had picked up a knock.

Development Squad pair Ezra Mayers and George Earthy joined striker Niclas Füllkrug in the matchday squad.

Once the game had started, it lacked real fluency but after it was allowed to flow, the Cherries had the first chance, as Alex Scott picked up possession and ran into the area but fortunately, visiting goalkeeper Alphonse Areola got a hand to it and tipped the ball away for a corner.

Thankfully, nothing came of the set-piece and the next time that the Frenchman had the ball at his feet, he set up Callum Wilson to open the scoring against his former club as the striker took a touch and fired the ball past home goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović to send the loyal travelling support wild.

Iraola’s side were slow in responding but when they did, they fashioned two opportunities in quick succession, but it was a relief to those in the away end that nothing came of either of them. Eli Junior Kroupi tried his luck after being set up by both Marcus Tavernier and David Brooks but fortunately, he missed the target.

Moments later, Brooks had a chance and took on the responsibility himself, only to waste it when he was unmarked at the far post. The Welshman might have wished that he could have done better with his attempt, as possession was quickly back with the East Londoners when Wilson received a pass from his captain Jarrod Bowen but he sent his latest effort wide.

However, it wasn’t long before the majority inside the stadium were being haunted by their former player again as he turned before sending an exquisite shot past Petrović.

The home side went close on several occasions, but the Hammers held their shape and when referee Thomas Bramall blew the whistle for the break, their boss was halfway to getting a first ever success over the Spaniard.

Both managers made substitutions during the interval, as Espírito Santo introduced Kyle Walker-Peters in place of Guilherme, while Iraola made a double change, as he threw both Ryan Christie and Bafodé Diakité into the fray for Álex Jiménez and Scott.

A little more than eleven minutes later, the East Londoners shuffled their pack again, as Tomáš Souček replaced Wilson.

Iraola’s changes, together with the weather conditions being at their backs certainly made a difference to Bournemouth’s play in the second-half, as the outfield players of West Ham barely touched the ball. The only chance that went their way was when Bowen headed Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross onto the roof of the net.

I’ve been writing match reports on the Hammers for many years now and I have to say that I have never seen a side dominate a whole half as much as the hosts did here.

West Ham weren’t letting much go past them and when the hosts did beat their defence, Areola made sure that Iraola’s men didn’t turn a possible defeat into victory. However, he had no chance when Tavernier sent him the wrong way from the spot when the Cherries were awarded a penalty on sixty nine minutes. Max Kilman had slid in to make a block but unfortunately, he handled the ball in doing so.

It was fair to say that those housed in the away end were less than pleased when Mateus Fernandes was withdrawn in favour of Füllkrug on seventy four minutes.

With ten minutes of normal time remaining, Iraola made another change with Tyler Adams making way for Enes Ünal.

Irons’ fans may remember that the Turk made a significant impact when he came on in last season’s 1-1 draw between the two sides. Surely, he wasn’t about to do the same here was he? Unfortunately for those who had made the journey from East London, the answer was yes as he gave Areola no chance.

Having been on course to get maximum points for a third consecutive game and a first win on the road since August 31, the game was leaning towards being yet another draw!!!

That is the way it ended as both teams kept the pressure on during six minutes of stoppage time, but no winner was to be found.

Espírito Santo’s side started November by recording a “statement” victory over Newcastle United when they beat the Magpies 3-1 in Stratford. They have the chance to end the month in the same way too, providing they can take advantage of the current poor form shown by last season’s Premier League champions Liverpool, as Arne Slot’s team make the trip up to East London on Sunday afternoon.