West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with both sides showcasing resilience and attacking flair in a Premier League clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
The match saw Bournemouth’s in-form striker Evanilson steal the headlines with a brace, while West Ham’s Niclas Füllkrug and Jarrod Bowen responded with crucial goals to ensure the points were shared. The result leaves West Ham still searching for their first league win in four matches, while Bournemouth extended their unbeaten run against the Hammers to four games.
Bournemouth wasted no time asserting their dominance on the road, a trait that has defined their season with only one loss in their last ten away matches across all competitions. In the 12th minute, Antoine Semenyo’s pinpoint cross found Evanilson unmarked at the back post, and the Brazilian made no mistake, heading past Lukasz Fabianski to give the Cherries a 1-0 lead. The goal highlighted Bournemouth’s attacking prowess, having scored at least two goals in ten of their last eleven away outings.
West Ham, however, showed signs of life midway through the first half. Graham Potter’s side, struggling for consistency in recent weeks, found an equalizer in the 34th minute. Substitute Niclas Füllkrug, introduced early due to an injury to Michail Antonio, latched onto a precise through ball from James Ward-Prowse and slotted it past Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto with composure. The German striker’s impact off the bench breathed new life into the Hammers, who had been lackluster in the opening exchanges.
The second half saw West Ham emerge with renewed vigor, spurred on by a vocal London Stadium crowd. Their efforts paid off in the 69th minute when Mohammed Kudus, back from a late fitness test, delivered a delightful cross for Jarrod Bowen to volley home at the near post, putting the hosts ahead 2-1. The goal sparked celebrations among the home faithful, who sensed a rare victory was within reach after a string of disappointing results.
Bournemouth, however, refused to capitulate. Andoni Iraola’s men, winless in their last five league games, demonstrated their resilience in the 85th minute. Evanilson struck again, this time capitalizing on a defensive lapse as Dean Huijsen’s lofted pass caught West Ham’s backline napping. The 25-year-old forward coolly lifted the ball over Fabianski to level the score at 2-2, silencing the home crowd and securing a valuable point for the visitors.
On the injury front, West Ham’s woes continued with Michail Antonio limping off in the first half, joining Crysencio Summerville on the sidelines. Bournemouth, meanwhile, saw Julian Araujo and Justin Kluivert listed as doubts prior to the match, though Iraola’s squad depth ensured their absence was not keenly felt.
West Ham manager Graham Potter praised his side’s second-half performance but lamented their defensive frailties. “We showed character to come back and take the lead, but we’ve got to be better at seeing games out,” Potter said. “Füllkrug’s impact was fantastic, and it’s something to build on.”
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, meanwhile, hailed Evanilson’s contribution. “He’s in great form, and his goals today were vital. We’ve had a tough run, but this point shows our spirit,” Iraola noted.
The draw sees West Ham remain in 16th place with a 14-point buffer over the relegation zone, though their winless streak now stretches to four league matches. Bournemouth stay in 10th, four points clear of 12th-placed Crystal Palace, but their recent dip in form—three losses in their last ten games—remains a concern.