Tuesday, August 15

Point picked at Cherries

Bournemouth 1 West Ham 1

Up in Edinburgh for the start of the season as the Irons still try to recruit fringe players. And it's certainly good to hear the chants of, "We know what we are... Champions of Europe!" from the away fans bringing back memoioes of the miracle of Prague. 

The Hammers are unlucky in the first half as Benrahma nicks the ball to Soucek whose slightly deflected shot bounces off the post into Neto's hands. The Cherries have another escape when Paqueta gets his head to a corner and Billing has to clear off the line. Brooks tests Areola a couple of times and Solanke's pace troubles Aguerd, but the home side's new signings are still getting to know each other's play.

West Ham take the lead after 51 minutes with a great goal. Fortnals does really well to win a tackle and Soucek plays the loose ball to Jarrod Bowen, who curls home a lovely strike from the edge of the box. He's still on fire and, erm, parenting with Dani Dyer.

But after the goal the Hammers get pushed back as of old. Aguerd and Zouma win some good headers and Rothwell is unlucky when his shot hits the bar. But it looks like the Hammers might hold on for a 1-0 win until Semenyo's shot hits the heel of Souek and falls kindly for Solanke to round Areola and score.

Ings is on for the 33-year-old Antonio and the Hammers almost restore their lead when Paqueta - who has looked committed despite Man City's interest - hits a low shot against the foot pf the post.

So in the end it's a fairly decent away point in a game WHU could have won. The way the side faded after scoring was worrying, but with Alvarez and Ward-Prowse to come in that will surely give the side a boost. And it's already a much better start than last season, when the side lost the first three games. Now we just have to tell Chelsea where to inset their blue flag.

No comments: