Solanke earns Bournemouth a point against plucky West Ham
Hammers fans were chanting “Champions of Europe, we know what we are” after their UEFA Europa Conference League triumph, but eyes were firmly set on the new PL campaign on the South Coast.
The encouragement of a fresh season could be seen in Bournemouth’s summer arrivals on the pitch and in the dugout as Andoni Iraola’s side moved the ball well.
However, West Ham had the biggest opportunity of the first 15 minutes with Tomáš Souček latching onto Saïd Benrahma’s through ball to strike an effort that cannoned against the post and trickled into Neto’s grateful grasp.
Neto was then helped by Philip Billing, who was on the line to clear when Lucas Paquetá got a flick on Jarrod Bowen’s delivery to the near post.
At the other end, Alphonse Areola didn’t have much to do in the first half having been selected ahead of Łukasz Fabiański, convincingly passing his one true test by palming David Brooks’ effort from range to safety.
West Ham unleashed another early effort in the second period, and there was absolutely nothing that could stop it as Bowen was once again their hero with the third goal in the winger’s last four competitive matches, firing a superb strike into the top corner.
The Cherries’ afternoon was further soured by Marcos Senesi going off injured, and Joe Rothwell was left in disbelief when his ambitious effort struck the crossbar.
There was still a sweet taste to come in the 83rd minute though, as Antoine Semenyo’s shot was deflected into the path of Dominic Solanke, who rounded Areola and finished into the gaping net, taking Bournemouth’s unbeaten run in season openers into its sixth campaign.
While West Ham couldn’t hold on to the victory, they at least avoided defeat in their opening match for just the second time in their last eight campaigns.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)
