Two quick-fire second half goals for AFC Bournemouth saw West Ham United fall to a 2-1 defeat at London Stadium.
The Irons had taken the lead in their first home match of the 2018/19 campaign, after Chicharito was brought down in the penalty area. Marko Arnautovic stepped up, and confidentially put West Ham 1-0 from the spot.
However, the Cherries bounced back into the game on 60 minutes, as Callum Wilson got past the Hammers back-line to slot home.
And Eddie Howes’ team took the lead just a few minutes later, after Steve Cook climbed highest to head Bournemouth in front.
The early proceedings looked promising for the Hammers, who offered a serious threat particularly down the left-wing, with Arthur Masuaku and Felipe Anderson combing well.
The latter provided the first chance of the game, whipping in a cross, which Chicharito stretched to meet, but couldn’t put away.
West Ham displayed a desire to play fluid football in possession, and an industrious attitude to getting the ball back when without it. That was highlighted in the 26th minute as Anderson and Arnautovic combined, allowing the Brazilian to find Chicharito, whose left-footed effort was well saved at the near post.
Despite West Ham’s strong start, it appeared Bournemouth would take the lead as Callum Wilson beat the defence, leaving him one-on-one with Lukasz Fabianski. However, the experienced shot-stopper didn’t falter, and got down very well to stop and hold the shot from the striker.
On the half-hour mark, West Ham had their chance to take the lead. Chicharito, receiving a superb pass from Anderson, was tripped by Nathan Ake in the box. After consulting with his linesman, referee Stuart Atwell awarded the penalty.
Up stepped last season’s Hammer of the Year Marko Arnautovic and, as he did 11 times in the Premier League last campaign, the Austrian coolly found the net, giving the irons the lead.
A golden opportunity to potentially double the advantage arose for the Hammers just six minutes before the interval, as another well-found pass was collected by Arnautovic. The striker was closed down, and the No7 decided to shoot. His effort was blocked, but has Arnautovic seen the impressive run from Chicharito, the Mexican may have been in for an effort on goal.
Bournemouth came out for the second period looking a threat, as shown by Brooks’ effort just seconds from the restart, but West Ham came close to scoring a second on 54 minutes. A corner struck Nathan Ake, almost causing an own-goal.
Bournemouth would level on the hour mark. Wilson received the ball in midfield and ran at the Hammers defence. The striker managed to get over tackles from Balbuena and Pablo Zabaleta, before rolling the ball into the net.
Six minutes later, the away side took the lead. A free-kick from the right was met by Cook. The ball bounced into the ground and up into the roof of the net, putting Manuel Pellegrini’s side behind.
Lucas Perez and Andriy Yarmolenko were brought on to try and turn the game back in West Ham’s favour, and both looked dangerous. The Ukrainian saw a powerful effort from the right cleared, while Lucas had a similar attempt flash wide from the left.
The effort wasn’t enough, however, and the Irons fell to defeat at the hands of Bournemouth.
West Ham United starting XI: Fabianski; Zabaleta, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Masuaku; Noble (c) (Sanchez 77), Wilshere, Snodgrass (Lucas Perez 77), F. Anderson; Arnautovic, Chicharito (Yarmolenko 67)
Subs not used: Adrian, Diop, Cresswell, Obiang,
Goals: Arnautovic (p) 33,
AFC Bournemouth starting XI: Begovic; Smith, Cook, Ake, Daniels; Fraser, Brooks (Francis 78), Surman (c), Gosling; Wilson, King (Cook 90)
Subs not used: Boruc,, Musset, Ibe, , Defoe, Mings
Goals: Wilson 60, Cook 66