West Ham overcame an early blunder to draw Bournemouth at London’s Olympic Stadium and extend their unbeaten run to six games, but there were home boos at the end of the 90 minutes.
New signing Kalvin Phillips couldn’t save Kurt Zouma’s rough back pass in the third minute, and Dominic Solanke put the Cherries ahead 1-0 very early to give Man City loanee Phillips a rough start,
[ WATCH: WEST HAM vs BOURNEMOUTH FULL MATCH REPLAY ]
Mohammed Kudus, fresh from Ghana’s rough AFCON showing, won a penalty in the second half and James Ward-Prowse converted the opportunity to set the stage for a grand stand finish.
That never arrived, however — Bournemouth defended far better than they had in blowout losses to Spurs and Liverpool, as Neto was only required to make two saves on the Irons.
The point boosts West Ham to 36, seven fewer than fourth-place Spurs and fifth-place Villa. Bournemouth’s 26th point puts it eight points clear of the bottom three.
West Ham fail to find flow
The teams split possession and shot attempts, also passing at nearly the exact same rate. A draw is very fair.
And that’s surprising, even given how well-drilled Andoni Iraola’s Cherries have been this season.
Even putting Kalvin Phillips’ early error aside, West Ham’s midfield was poor aside from Edson Alvarez. It improved a bit as James Ward-Prowse took on more responsibility from his attacking position, but Ryan Christie and Lewis Cook were rarely troubled at the heart of Bournemouth’s midfield.
The Cherries, however, struggled to connect Cook and Christie to Solanke, and can’t have expected more than their point.
What’s next?
West Ham goes to Man United at 9am ET Sunday, the same time Bournemouth host Nottingham Forest.
West Ham vs Bournemouth final score, updates: 1-1
Goal: Solanke (3'), Ward-Prowse (pen 61')
West Ham vs Bournemouth player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
West Ham vs Bournemouth player ratings (from fotmob.com)
West Ham vs Bournemouth player ratings (from fotmob.com)
West Ham penalty: James Ward-Prowse goal
Mohammed Kudus goes down in the box and it looks like Lloyd Kelly got him.
No call at first from referee Tim Robinson but he’s been asked to go to the monitor, and he’s changed his mind.
James Ward-Prowse doesn’t miss his penalty. 1-1.
Dominic Solanke goal (video)! VAR helps Bournemouth in front
Oh no, a tough debut moment for Kalvin Phillips.
Kurt Zouma puts the midfielder in a bad spot, and the Man City loanee tries to push the ball back to his keeper while under duress.
Dominic Solanke’s gambled on the back pass though and he’s in the perfect spot to take the ball and slot it home.
Called offside at first, the ball definitely came off of Phillips last and Solanke is onside for his 15th goal of the Premier League season. 1-0.
How to watch West Ham vs Bournemouth live, stream link, time
Kickoff: 2:30 pm ET, Thursday (Feb. 1)
Online: Watch via Peacock Premium
West Ham lineup
Tonight's XI ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/qh33RRHAhR
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 1, 2024
Bournemouth lineup
Our Cherries this evening 🍒⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Cpg5T3HmqE
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) February 1, 2024
Focus on West Ham, injury news
OUT: Lucas Paqueta (calf), Said Benrahma (suspension), Vladimir Coufal (suspension), Nayef Aguerd (international duty), Michail Antonio (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Edson Alvarez (calf)
Focus on Bournemouth, injury news
OUT: Max Aarons (thigh), Tyler Adams (hamstring - out until February), Dango Outtara (international duty), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Hamed Traore (illness), James Hill (ankle), Darren Randolph (illness) | QUESTIONABLE: Philip Billing (illness), Adam Smith (undisclosed)