Bournemouth up to sixth as Enes Unal’s late free-kick earns draw with West Ham

Enes Unal scored a sensational 90th-minute free-kick to earn in-form Bournemouth a 1-1 Premier League draw against West Ham following a thrilling finale at the Vitality Stadium.

Lucas Paqueta’s contentious penalty looked to have snatched victory for the Hammers to further ease pressure on under-fire boss Julen Lopetegui, three minutes from time.

But substitute Unal, who scored a late leveller in last weekend’s 2-1 win at Ipswich, delightfully curled the ball home from range at the death.

Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie hailed the free-kick, saying: “Credit to him, big moment, especially the reaction as well. I thought the boys were brilliant. And it was a moment of magic to get us level.”

Andoni Iraola’s hosts had wasted a series of second-half chances to secure a fourth-successive top-flight victory after Cherries forward Antoine Semenyo and Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen each hit the woodwork in the opening period.

Bournemouth climb to sixth – above Aston Villa on goal difference – thanks to the dramatic draw, while West Ham remain 14th.

The Hammers squad spent part of the build-up to the game visiting injured team-mate Michail Antonio in hospital following his recent car crash.

Travelling fans chanted the name of their club’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer with nine minutes played – in recognition of Antonio’s squad number – before almost seeing their side fall behind.

Having won Kepa Arrizabalaga’s long ball to the right wing in the air, Semenyo was slipped in after slick interplay between Evanilson and Justin Kluivert but his low shot struck the outside of the left post.

West Ham, whose players wore black armbands in memory of 15-year-old academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, who died last week after a battle with cancer, rattled the frame of the goal at the other end, just three minutes later.

Mohammed Kudus led the visitors’ counter-attack, which culminated with Bowen swiveling to curl left-footed against the Cherries’ crossbar from inside the D.

England forward Bowen later stung the palms of Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa, while Carlos Soler and Tomas Soucek each fired wide as the Hammers enjoyed the better first-half chances.

Yet the hosts almost snatched a 45th-minute lead when the unmarked Dango Ouattara was superbly denied by the legs of West Ham keeper Lukasz Fabianski after Semenyo’s initial effort deflected across the box.

The visitors were pinned back immediately after the restart as Dango Ouattara, Kluivert, Semenyo and Christie each threatened for the home team. However, the result will likely alleviate some of the pressure on Lopetegui, who took the positives, saying: “They demanded a lot at home, we suffered a little bit. We were thinking about three points but we competed really hard. We should have more expected goals than them and we were very dangerous in the first half.

“We did very good things against Leicester, we were very close to winning. We got one point but more than the point was the way the behavior the team showed in this stadium was very good.”

Lopetegui was then booked for protesting after Edson Alvarez was shown a yellow card for bringing down Semenyo before only a last-ditch tackle from Illia Zabarnyi denied Kudus.

Cherries substitute Philip Billing saw an effort blocked by Maximilian Kilman and Fabianski kept out Christie’s follow-up effort before the game burst to life in the closing stages.

West Ham looked to have wasted a golden chance for a winner when Fullkrug headed straight at Kepa from close range following Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s right-wing delivery.

But, following VAR intervention, referee Christopher Kavanagh watched the incident on the touchline monitor and controversially pointed to the penalty spot due to Wan-Bissaka’s cross brushing the outstretched arm of Tyler Adams.

Brazil international Paqueta calmly rolled the ball into the bottom-right corner to spark wild scenes in the away end. Yet the lead lasted just three minutes.

Turkey forward Unal claimed the eye-catching equaliser, bending a sumptuous set-piece into the top-left corner from almost 30 yards.

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10:36 PM GMT

Thanks for joining us

That brings an end to our coverage of this entertaining 1-1 draw between Bournemouth and West Ham at the Vitality Stadium. Thanks for joining us!

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10:33 PM GMT

‘Not a good point for us’, says Iraola

Speaking to Sky Sports, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said: “I don’t think it is a good result for us even if we scored the goal at the end.

“We were better in the second half. I didn’t like the first half. We were pushing to win and then the penalty happened and we had to take the point. I don’t think it is a good point for us.

“The game went very slow in the first half for us. We were not being brave enough to put them under real pressure. We improved in the second half but it wasn’t enough to win it.”

Discussing his positive subsitutions, he said: “It had a good effect. Enes [Unal] scored an amazing goal. But it is only one point.”

On the penalty decision, Iraola said: “I am very disappointed. We have had this meeting before the season and I argued personally because they don’t want defenders to defend with their hands behind their back.

“I told them ‘we are going to continue this because you are calling penalties’. They said ‘don’t worry, it’s a natural position, we are not going to call it’.

“The first one, bam. I am very disappointed. I complained about this rule. They didn’t want defenders to defend unnaturally.”

On if he will ask for an explanation, he said: “I don’t care about the explanation now. I want them to take the decision they say they are going to take. Today it didn’t happen.”

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10:29 PM GMT

‘Not a bad point’ for West Ham, says Carragher

Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher said: “I think it is [a step forward for West Ham] from where they were going into last Monday’s game. Four points out of the two games is a decent return considering where they were.

“It’s not a bad point. I think it’s something they would have taken before the game.”

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10:26 PM GMT

‘Things will be on the up’, says Kilman

Speaking to Sky Sports, West Ham’s Maximilian Kilman said: “Conceding in the last minute is always tough. We managed to stay in the game and nicked a goal towards the end. Unfortunately they finished with the free-kick near the end.

“We have made a lot of improvements, we put in a proper shift. Credit to everyone. It’s a tough place to come but we managed to match them.”

On if there has been a shift in mood, he said: “We have always had high belief. Things have not been going so well but there are still a lot of things to look forward to. Hopefully we can keep getting results. We have an incredible squad of players. We need to keep pushing and I’m sure things will be on the up.”

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10:25 PM GMT

‘We are being a bit more consistent’, says Fabianski

Speaking to Premier League Productions, West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski said: “Coming into this game we knew they are a tough team to play against. They have proved it so many times this year.

“You have to admit that they created many chances tonight. Obviously we wanted to win and a late goal always gives you that feeling that it’s almost there. But credit to Bournemouth they were a decent side tonight as well.

“There’s always a feeling of disappointment but at the same time playing away from home against a team who has beaten some good teams, it’s a good point for us.

“I think we are still trying to work on the aspects of the game the manager is demanding from us. But we are being a bit more consistent. Slowly we are getting there. It’s taking a bit longer than what we wanted, but I believe we are going in the right direction.

“So far we have been on and off. We are looking for a bit more consistency. Hopefully we will add a few more results and everyone will be satisfied with the way we play.”

On being the oldest player in the Premier League, he said: “I think it’s something to be proud of. It’s a credit to the way I’ve been consistent to training and preparation and looking after myself. I will just try to continue to work and enjoy myself.”

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10:23 PM GMT

‘In the second half they were one step ahead’, says Lopetegui

Speaking to Sky Sports, West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui said: “I think it was a pity. We were thinking we would win in a difficult stadium. It was very close. In the first half we were better, in the second half they were one step ahead.

“They demand a lot at home. We suffered a little bit but overcame this to score. It was an incredible goal from Unal. In the end it is one point. We were thinking about three points but we competed really well.”

On handling Bournemouth’s pressure, he said: “After they scored they put on a lot of pressure. We showed good behaviour in the last moments. We competed really well. They put a lot of balls in the box but didn’t have a clear chance in the last minutes. It has been a good match for the fans.”

Whether it is a step in the right direction, Lopetegui said: “About more than the point is the behaviour the players showed. It was very good.”

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10:21 PM GMT

Late drama

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10:14 PM GMT

Henry: Penalty was harsh

Speaking on Sky Sports, Thierry Henry said: “I thought the penalty was harsh but you can’t say that throughout the two halves Bournemouth deserved to win. Probably a fair result in the end.”

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10:12 PM GMT

Unal: Distance was perfect

Speaking to Sky Sports, Bournemouth goal-scorer Enes Unal said: “I just checked the distance [of free-kick], and it was my distance, it was perfect.

“I will be watching [replays of my goal] for sure.”

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10:10 PM GMT

Unal’s free-kick a ‘moment of magic’, says Christie

Discussing Enes Unal’s free-kick with Sky Sports, Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie said: “Credit to him, big moment, especially the reaction as well I thought the boys were brilliant. And it was a moment of magic to get us level.”

On the penalty conceded by Tyler Adams, he said: “I thought it was harsh. I know his hand is high but he’s so close to the ball. We didn’t get one last week against Ipswich from a similar scenario.

“It’s a bit frustrating because we dominated. But it’s good to get a point in the end.

“We want to try and keep this unbeaten run going. We knew tonight would be a tough game and if we weren’t going to win it we didn’t want to lose it.”

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10:07 PM GMT

Comeback kings

Bournemouth have won nine points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, only Aston Villa and Manchester City had won more, with 11 and 14 respectively.

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10:05 PM GMT

Arm was in a ‘natural position’, said Smith

Speaking on Sky Sports as the VAR check for West Ham’s penalty was in process, Alan Smith said: “I think it clips his arm.

“It’s whether they deem that to be a natural position. They’re always tricky these ones.

“It is a natural position even though it’s quite high. I don’t think he’s putting his arm up to try and stop the ball.”

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10:01 PM GMT

Record for Bournemouth

Of the 45 shots in this match, 29 came from Bournemouth which is a Premier League record for Iraola’s side. Just the one goal to show for it unfortunately for the Spanish manager.

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09:59 PM GMT

Where this leaves us

Bournemouth climb up to sixth, ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference and just two points behind champions Manchester City in fifth.

West Ham move on to 19 points in 14th, three points behind Manchester United and three ahead of Crystal Palace either side of them. They are seven clear of the relegation zone.

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09:57 PM GMT

Full time: Bournemouth 1 West Ham 1

The ball drops to Coufal in the Bournemouth area but he sees his well-stuck effort blocked.

Bournemouth look to muster one last attack and do well to work it to Ouattara but his left-footed strike from a tight angle in the left of the box is straight into the arms of Fabianksi.

That was the last real moment of significance as the full-time whistle is soon blown on a really entertaining match. 45 shots in total!

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09:54 PM GMT

90+7 mins: Bournemouth 1 West Ham 1

Bournemouth take the free-kick quickly but Brooks’ cross is too close to Fabianksi. West Ham look to break quickly but it’s come straight back and Brooks’ cross is off a West Ham head for a corner.

It’s half-cleared before Kerkez’s volley from the edge of the area is blocked.

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09:53 PM GMT

90+5 mins: Bournemouth 1 West Ham 1

It’s a mess-up from West Ham in defence but Kilman gets back to make a crucial box as Unal took aim from the left of the box.

Christie wins the foul from Paqueta in an attacking position down Bournemouth’s left. Before it can be taken, Casey comes on for Wan-Bissaka for his first Premier League appearance of the campaign.

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09:51 PM GMT

90+3 mins: Bournemouth 1 West Ham 1

There will be eight minutes added on here. Will we see a winner? Bournemouth are hungry for one and win the corner down the left through Ouattara and the Vitality responds with a roar.

The headed clearance drops to Brooks on the edge of the box but he goes with his side-foot for the volley and it loops over.

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09:48 PM GMT

GOAL! Unal equalises with sublime free-kick

Bournemouoth 1 West Ham 1 (Unal) Bournemouth win the foul on the edge of the box for a clumsy challenge from Mavrapanos on Unal.

It’s the striker who will take it, from just under 30 yards out, and he bends it spectacularly into the top left corner! What a goal and what a response.

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09:45 PM GMT

GOAL! Paqueta converts from the spot to give West Ham the lead

Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0 (Paqueta) Fullkrug holds the ball, as is the way these days, before handing it over to Paqueta. He stutters before stroking the ball into the bottom right corner as Kepa dives the other way and West Ham have surely won it here!

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09:43 PM GMT

84 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

He has to score! Wan Bissaka intercepts the ball down the right and stands up a cross to Fullkrug, who is a matter of yards out. He gets his head onto it but it’s straight at Kepa who still does well to react.

Hang on…There is a VAR check for whether Wan Bissaka’s cross took a nick off of Adam’s left arm, which was raised, and the referee is being told to check it. It is given!

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09:40 PM GMT

82 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Billing nearly makes the instant impact as he starts an attack off down the left before looking to sweep it home with space inside the box but his effort is blocked.

Christie latches onto the loose ball and drives a fierce effort on goal towards the top left corner but Fabianksi makes a superb save.

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09:37 PM GMT

80 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Kluivert has space to run into on the edge of the box and decides to let fly but his effort whistles over the bar.

A couple of changes from Iraola as Kluivert and Evanilson make way for Billing and Unal.

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09:35 PM GMT

78 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

There are half-hearted appeals for a penalty from Bournemouth following the attention of Mavrapanos on Evanilson but nothing is given.

Kluivert plays a one-two with Cook to burst into the right of the box but the final ball across can’t find a red and black shirt.

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09:34 PM GMT

76 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

A double change for the visitors as Kudus and Alvarez make way for Summerville and Scarles, who is making his Premier League debut.

It looks like Lopetegui is switching to a back five with Scarles and left-wing back, Wan Bissaka on the right and Coufal slotting in as a third centre-half.

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09:31 PM GMT

73 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

West Ham break quickly the other way and Fullkrug’s reverse path is into the feet of Kudus who looks to be in on goal inside the left of the area but Zabarnyi gets back to make a superb sliding block.

It’s really end-to-end now as Cook wins a corner for the hosts down their right. Evanilson glances on the inswinging delivery at the near post but Fabianski reacts well to tip over.

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09:29 PM GMT

71 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Alvarez’s effort from range is deflected and the visitors have another corner down their left. Mavrapanos rises highest but heads harmlessly wide of the right post.

Bournemouth attack well as Christie plays a clever disguised ball into Evanilson but his strike from inside the box is blocked.

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09:26 PM GMT

69 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Bowen’s cross from the right pops up off Huijsen and Smith is forced to head behind for a corner. Evanilson loses out to Paqueta as he looks to bring the ball clear of the box but he very fortunately wins the foul. Got away with one there.

A couple of Bournemouth changes then and it’s Smith and Semenyo to make way for Adams and Brooks. Cook will maybe shift to right-back. Semenyo is straight down the tunnel and it’s suspected he may have a hamstring issue.

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09:23 PM GMT

66 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Zabarnyi was just caught by Bowen there as he made a good tackle on the West Ham forward and he looks to be in a bit of pain. He does manage to get to his feet and will continue but changes are inbound for the hosts.

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09:21 PM GMT

63 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Semenyo spins well inside Bournemouth’s half as he draws Alvarez into the challenge. The West Ham man goes into the book but it was a good foul to make really with Semenyo breaking into space.

Lopetegui also goes into the book for his protest following that call.

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09:19 PM GMT

61 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Fullkrug goes for an audacious overhead kick from a looping cross. While he actually does really well to even make contact, it does go well wide.

West Ham can break down their left and Paqueta pulls out a nice pull-back to Bowen on the edge of the box but he uncharacteristically scuffs his effort.

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09:17 PM GMT

59 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Before Bournemouth can take the corner, Lopetegui makes his first change as he brings on Fullkrug for Soler, who was booked in the opening period.

The home side can then take the set piece from the right and Zabarnyi’s header back across goal goes just inches wide. Very close once again for Iraola’s men.

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09:15 PM GMT

57 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Christie plays a smart one-two with Cook but after his first touch just teed the ball up, his volley is wayward.

Bournemouth are really pushing for the opener here. The home side counter really effectively with Ouattara playing the final pass to Semenyo at the back post, now on the right.

He looks to have a load of space in the area as the ball travels to him but by the time the winger shoots, West Ham defenders have got across to make the block.

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09:11 PM GMT

54 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Bournemouth combine nicely down the right to win the attacking throw-in. The home side have definitely started this second period the stronger.

Meanwhile, West Ham’s opening eight minutes are summed up by Soucek’s first-time ball into the right channel for nobody.

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09:09 PM GMT

51 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Semenyo pops up on the left this time and bursts through a gap to cut into the area but his low strike is a tad tame and Fabianksi can save easily at his near post.

The two Bournemouth wingers have definitely swapped flanks for now. Semenyo combines with Evanilson to tee up Christie on the edge of the box and he stings the fingertips of Fabianksi who turns the strike over the bar.

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09:06 PM GMT

48 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Bowen takes a brilliant first touch in a crowded area but his pull back doesn’t pick out a West Ham shirt.

Bournemouth break well and work it nicely from right to left to Ouatarra. He cuts in and lets fly but his effort takes a deflection and whistles past the bottom right corner. They work the corner short and find Kluivert on the edge but his strike is easy pickings for Fabianksi.

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09:03 PM GMT

46 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

We are back underway at the Vitality with Soler kicking things off for the visitors, going from right to left. No changes to report at the break.

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09:00 PM GMT

Chances at either end

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08:55 PM GMT

Even match-up so far

West Ham potentially had the better of that first half but both sides have had nine shots, two attempts on the target and one effort off the woodwork.

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08:48 PM GMT

Half-time: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

A late from flurry forward from West Ham is the last move of the opening period as the half-time whistle is blown.

It’s goalless but there have certainly been chances. Semenyo and Bowen struck the woodwork for either side before Fabianksi denied Ouattara with a superb save late on.

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08:46 PM GMT

45+1 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

What a save! Bournemouth break quickly and work it out to Semenyo on the right. He cuts in and takes aim but his effort is deflected and lands at the feet of Ouatarra at the back post.

He looks to tuck home with his left foot but Fabianksi is across fabulously to save with his trailing leg.

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08:43 PM GMT

42 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Cook leaves a late one on Kudus who was juggling the ball and he is perhaps lucky to not get the yellow, particularly given he is one away from a suspension.

West Ham go close again! Wan Bissaka drives down the left to the byline and digs out a cross that reaches Soucek at the back post. He takes a touch before looking to volley home into the bottom left corner but it takes a nick and goes wide.

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08:37 PM GMT

38 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

A loose pass from Huijsen gifts Bowen the ball in an advanced position but West Ham can’t capitalise. That’s the second wayward ball from the young centre-back in a dangerous area so far this evening.

Evanilson lands awkwardly after competing for the header and looks to be in some pain. After a couple of minutes of treatment it looks like he will be able to carry on.

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08:33 PM GMT

34 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

The game has just entered a quiet period but it has been a captivating and even game up to now with the visitors going closest.

Semenyo winds up the long throw-in from the right but Christie’s flick-on is out for a goal-kick.

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08:30 PM GMT

30 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Inches wide from Soler! The midfielder combines with Paqueta to get into the left of the box before feinting the shot on his left foot to cut back onto his right. He looks to dig out a curling effort into the far corner but it goes just wide.

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08:26 PM GMT

27 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

As Semenyo bursts through midfield, he is tripped by Soler, who picks up the yellow card and will now miss West Ham’s tie with Brighton.

As Kudus plays a low ball into the box from the left, Bowen, just outside of the six-yard box at the near post, takes a smart touch before striking well on his left foot but Kepa can punch away. Really sharp from the Englishman.

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08:22 PM GMT

23 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Kluivert somehow squirms through the challenge of two West Ham players in midfield and can bear down on their defence. He feeds Evanilson on the edge of the are but he is eased off the ball and wants the foul but no doing.

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08:20 PM GMT

20 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Some tidy combinations from West Ham in midfield with Bowen at the heart of things. It’s eventually worked out to Coufal on the right and his dangerous first-time ball is cleared for a corner by Zabarnyi.

Kepa is unconvincing as he looks to punch the corner clear but he can claim on the second attempt following Mavrapanos’ loopy header.

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08:17 PM GMT

17 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

West Ham threaten from the corner but Ouattara does enough to disrupt Kilman as he heads over.

Bournemouth mount an attack but the visitors quickly break and find Bowen on the edge of the box. He sets himself and is stood still as he looks to curl one into the top left corner but it rattles the bar! So close from the skipper.

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08:14 PM GMT

12 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Bournemouth go so close to opening the scoring! Semenyo wins the header from the long ball to flick it onto Evanilson who does well to hold it up and knock it on towards Kluivert.

The Bournemouth man nods it through for Semenyo, who is in on goal, but his effort goes just wide as it clips the outside of the left post.

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08:12 PM GMT

11 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

West Ham win the throw-in high up down their right and Coufal launches it into the box. It comes to nothing but they are definitely going to look to utilise their aerial threat at every opportunity this evening.

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08:10 PM GMT

10 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Ouattara beats Coufal on the outside and hangs a really lofty ball up to the back pos but Semenyo’s header doesn’t have much pace on it and is easy for Fabianksi to collect.

The West Ham supporters chant the name of Antonio following his recent car accident with the clock at nine minutes.

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08:07 PM GMT

7 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Kerkez loses his bearings underneath a long ball knocked into the channel by Mavrapanos allowing Coufal to take it into the area but his effort from a tight angle is wild and goes way, way over.

Bournemouth counter well through Kluivert and Semenyo. The ball is worked inside to Christie who takes aim from the edge of the box but his low effort takes a nick and goes just wide of the left post.

The corner somehow reaches the feet of Semenyo but West Ham can scramble it away.

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08:04 PM GMT

4 mins: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

Bournemouth start the brighter and Ouattara picks the ball up in a promising dangerous position down their left but he sees his shot blocked after cutting inside.

A couple of moments later and the winger feeds the underlapping Kerkez who wins the corner. Cook’s delivery is headed clear by Soler.

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08:00 PM GMT

1 min: Bournemouth 0 West Ham 0

We are underway at the Vitality stadium with Lewis Cook kicking things off for the home side who are going from right to left in this opening period. It’s an unusual kick-off as he chips the ball up for Bournemouth to kick long from.

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07:57 PM GMT

Thriller unlikely

There have been just 16 goals this season at the Vitality with the City Ground the only Premier League stadium to see fewer.

Meanwhile, West Ham have scored just eight goals on the road this season.

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07:54 PM GMT

Kick-off approaching

We are just over five minutes away from kick-off at the Vitality Stadium, can Bournemouth go level with Manchester City with a fourth successive win? I did not expect to be saying that in December at the start of the season!

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07:51 PM GMT

Iraola: Our identity is playing the fastest pace we can

Speaking to Sky Sports, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said: “The main part that interests me is that we are creating chances and as long as we do this, we trust the players we have up front and we will all be fine.”

On his side’s progress, he said: “I don’t trust a lot in the long-term goals. I think it is quite early still in the first part of the season. I think we have a good amount of points but everything is very tight, things can change now and in the Christmas period, in two or three weeks.

“We have to continue competing well, continue taking game by game and trying to win points against West Ham. If we cannot win three just one but we will try always to go for the win.”

Discussing the balance between keeping possession and being direct, Iraola said: “For me I think I value a lot of possession but it has to be meaningful possession. I think we have to have the mentality of have the ball to attack, sometimes it is good when you are winning to rest a little bit on the ball but I think there are things in our game we will need to improve.

“I think our identity is to try and play as high as we can, the fastest pace as we can and we feel more comfortable in this kind of scenarios.”

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07:47 PM GMT

High-flying Bournemouth

Bournemouth’s 24 points is their highest tally at his stage of a Premier League campaign.

Three points tonight would see Iraola’s men equal the club Premier League record of four wins on the bounce.

The home side tonight have amassed 66 points since the beginning of November last year, which is the sixth-best total in the division.

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07:44 PM GMT

Happy Mondays

West Ham have won nine of their past 10 league fixtures on a Monday with the only defeat in that run coming away at Arsenal on Boxing Day 2022.

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07:39 PM GMT

The scene at the Vitality

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07:35 PM GMT

Head-to-head

Bournemouth are without a win in seven meetings with West Ham in all competitions since a 2-0 triumph in January 2019 having lost on four of those occasions.

The sides met at London Stadium in August in the League Cup second round, with West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen scoring the only goal of the game late on.

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07:31 PM GMT

Lopetegui says Iraola doing ‘very, very well’

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has said Andoni Iraola is doing ‘very, very well’ as Bournemouth manager ahead of kick-off this evening.

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07:27 PM GMT

West Ham win at home to Wolves

West Ham compiled the misery on Wolves on Monday with a 2-1 win at the London Stadium in what turned out to be Gary O’Neil’s penultimate match in charge.

Tomas Soucek’s opener was cancelled out by Matt Doherty but a moment of brilliance from Jarrod Bowen just three minutes later clinched the points for the home side.

The result saw them remain in 14th but go just one point behind Manchester United, who, once again though, extended their advantage over Julen Lopetegui’s men with a Manchester derby win on Sunday.

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07:22 PM GMT

Last time out for Bournemouth

Bournemouth scored two late goals to come from behind to beat Ipswich Town 2-1 in dramatic fashion at Portman Road.

Conor Chaplin had given the hosts the lead but Enes Unal levelled the tie on 87 minutes before Dango Outtara won the game in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

The victory took Andoni Iraola’s men up to eighth, level on points with Brighton and Hove Albion in seventh and just three points shy of Manchester City in fourth.

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07:19 PM GMT

Lopetegui: The pressure is always there

The West Ham squad were due to visit Michail Antonio on Friday, who is still in hospital following his car accident.

Manager Julen Lopetegui said: “The main thing is that we are happy he is recovering well. We are very close to him and his family, and we wish him the best for the coming days.

“Look at the car crash, it was one miracle – so we are happy for him. He is strong, for sure, and he will recover in the next months. The focus is for him to recover – firstly as a man, before as a player.”

On whether any pressure has eased on himself or his players following their win on Monday, he said: “The pressure is always there in our work. We are talking about the Premier League so each match is very difficult. In the same way, each match is a very good opportunity and challenge.

“We are working to be ready to show our best phase against Bournemouth.

“We have to be ready to show our strengths and compete. I think that is what we’re going to need against a team that is going to demand a lot.

“In my opinion, they are the best at home – so we are going to be ready to give a good answer there.”

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07:13 PM GMT

Iraola wary of West Ham after cup defeat

Discussing his side’s three wins in eight days, Andoni Iraola said: “When you’re in a competition, you don’t enjoy it a lot. If you win or you lose you have to do this [enjoy it or not] in a period of 24 hours and then start thinking about the next game. It has been a very good week – it’s nine points.”

On West Ham, he said: “They are a very good team and they have very good players. We had experience [against them] in the cup – it was a very level game that they won in the last minute. I expect something similar and they also had an important win on Monday.”

Talking about Julen Lopetegui, the Bournemouth manager said: “We have crossed [paths] many times. Julen is always difficult – he’s a very good coach, experienced and it’s the Premier League. Every week you face a good opposition manager and you have to be ready for the challenge – and I hope we are on Monday.”

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07:10 PM GMT

Injury news

Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi will be sidelined for three months following thigh surgery while Marcus Tavernier also faces a few weeks out because of a hamstring injury.

Tyler Adams is available after being rested last weekend.

Julen Lopetegui said two unnamed players are nursing injuries and will be assessed.

Emerson is suspended, while Michail Antonio has undergone surgery on the lower limb fracture he sustained in a car accident.

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07:07 PM GMT

Those line-ups in full

Bournemouth: Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Ouattara, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson.

Subs: Aarons, Adams, Billing, Brooks, Winterburn, Hill, Kinsey, Travers, Unal.

West Ham: Fabianksi; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kilman, Coufal; Alvarez, Soucek; Kudus, Soler, Paqueta; Bowen.

Subs: Areola, Irving, Fullkrug, Ings, Guilherme, Casey, Scarles, Orford, Summerville.

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07:04 PM GMT

Lopetegui makes two changes

There are two changes to the West Ham team that beat Wolves 2-1 last time out as Julen Lopetegui brings in Coufal for the suspended Emerson while Paqueta replaces Summerville.

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07:01 PM GMT

One change for Bournemouth

Andoni Iraola makes just one change to the side that started the win over Ipswich Town as the matchwinner from that day Ouattara comes in for the injured Tavernier.

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06:58 PM GMT

Preview: Bournemouth looking to go level with City

Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Bournemouth vs West Ham United from the Premier League as Andoni Iraola’s men look to go level on points with Manchester City. The South Coast side are one of the in-form teams in the division having won their last three matches in the league with triumphs over Wolves, Tottenham Hotspur and, most recently, Ipswich Town.

Iraola’s side left it late at Portman Road last weekend and needed two goals in the final 10 minutes from Unal and Outtara to turn the tie on its head and deny Ipswich a first home win this season. The result saw them climb to eighth in the division, but following Brighton and Hove Albion’s defeat against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Bournemouth have risen to seventh without having to kick a ball.

Three points at the Vitality Stadium this evening would see them go level on points with champions City in fifth, who slipped up once again in the Manchester derby on Sunday and have now won just once in their last 11 matches in all competitions.

Bournemouth welcome a West Ham side, who also have their sights set on a Manchester club. Julen Lopetegui’s men are 14th heading into this evening, four points adrift of Manchester United in 13th, and will hope to reduce the gap between the sides to just one point, as they did last Monday with their home win over Wolves.

Captain Jarrod Bowen produced a moment of real quality to clinch his side’s first win in three league games following damaging defeats against Arsenal and Leicester City. In doing so, he perhaps bought his heavily scrutinised manager some more time to turn West Ham’s season around as they look for consecutive league wins for the first time this season.