EPL: Bournemouth beaten at West Ham

West Ham United made it five straight wins at the London Stadium in all competitions and moved from 17th to 10th in the Premier League as a pair of controversial strikes proved the difference against Bournemouth.

Both sides came into the encounter having collected one point from the last six on offer. Saïd Benrahma and Tomáš Šoucek missed the target from a free-kick and a header, respectively, early on, while Łukasz Fabianski was alert to smother at the feet of Dominic Solanke, with Thilo Kehrer clearing the danger.

Bournemouth looked somewhat threatening on the ball and were organised when out of possession. 

However, in the 18th minute, the Hammers came close as Jarrod Bowen clipped a lovely pass into Ben Johnson’s path. The 22-year-old’s cut-back eventually saw Flynn Downes’ effort blocked by Chris Mepham, with Aaron Cresswell’s follow-up tipped over superbly by Neto.

The deadlock was broken just before the interval as Bowen’s corner was eventually nodded in by Kurt Zouma, who impressed at the heart of defense. 

The goal stood despite the ball bouncing off Kehrer’s right hand in the build-up. The hosts started stronger in the second half, with Benrahma buzzing around and Scamacca getting more service. 

Cherries boss Gary O’Neil threw on youngsters Jaidon Anthony and Jordan Zemura, and the visitors caused the East Londoners some scares as Moore’s dangerous cross evaded Philip Billing, and the big target man’s flick-on was diverted wide by Jefferson Lerma.

The home side ultimately made the game safe when referee David Coote gave a penalty following a VAR check after Vladimír Coufal’s cross was blocked by Zemura, allowing Benrahma to dispatch the spot-kick in second-half stoppage time and ease his team’s relegation worries.

 Meanwhile, defeat for the South Coast club sees their three-match unbeaten run on the road come to an end.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu