West Ham were unable to make a winning start to the 2023/24 Premier League season as Bournemouth stole a late draw at the Vitality Stadium.
Following a largely uneventful first half, Jarrod Bowen gave the travelling West Ham supporters something to cheer about when he bent home a superb opener.
David Moyes’s side looked to be heading for victory on the opening day, but Dominic Solanke — who West Ham enquired about this summer — spoiled the party for the Irons when he rounded Alphonse Areola to level in the 82nd minute.
Dom Smith was at the Vitality Stadium to rate the West Ham performances…
Alphonse Areola — 7
Saved expertly from Dominic Solanke, when the one-time England striker got in behind, and from David Brooks’s powered volley too. Rounded too easily by Solanke for Bournemouth’s equaliser.
Vladimir Coufal — 6
Put in a decent shift but did not get forward as much as Moyes would have liked.
Kurt Zouma — 7
In the right place at the right time to make once excellent hoicked clearance.
Nayef Aguerd — 7
Solid at the back, though Bournemouth fans weren’t happy when he followed through on a clearance to catch Solanke’s neck.
Emerson — 5
A bit wasteful on a few instances when he booted clear but could have taken longer and instead found a short pass. Booked late on.
Tomas Soucek — 6
Nearly put the Irons ahead when he struck the inside of the post with a 15th-minute effort. But should never have allowed the pass through which led to Solanke’s late equaliser.
Pablo Fornals — 6
Busy in midfield, but not West Ham’s go-to man on this occasion.
Jarrod Bowen — 8
He carried the ball well for his team, riding challenges and dragging them up the pitch. But his most remarkable contribution to the game was the stupendous curling effort which put the Irons ahead.
Said Benrahma — 7
Skipped over some challenges well when he could have gone down instead. Likely to remain an important players for the Hammers this year.
Lucas Paqueta — 6
Had a quiet game, but so nearly found the net for a thunderous volley but for a block on the line by a Bournemouth defender.
Michail Antonio — 7
Ran powerfully down the right wing, and often dropped deep to ping beautiful passes forward. Not the game plan he usually fulfils, but a really good, dogged showing.
Subs:
Danny Ings (Antonio, 78’) — N/A
Thilo Kehrer (Fornals, 86’) — N/A
Maxwel Cornet (Paqueta, 90+4’) — N/A
