West Ham United vs Bournemouth. Premier League.
London StadiumAttendance56,948.
Saturday 20 January 2018 18:20, UK
Javier Hernandez scored two minutes after Ryan Fraser's opener as West Ham came from behind to draw 1-1 with Bournemouth at the London Stadium.
Bournemouth went ahead with their first attempt on target when Fraser powered a shot beyond Hammers 'keeper Adrian at his near post after 71 minutes.
However, their joy was short-lived with substitute Hernandez - whom the Hammers are reportedly willing to sell this January transfer window - tucking home a loose ball, nine minutes after coming on for the injured Manuel Lanzini.
The draw means both sides extend their unbeaten Premier League runs to five games, with West Ham sitting one place and one point above Bournemouth in 11th.
Expectation was high after the two sides had shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller on Boxing Day, and it was West Ham who started the strongest, with Aaron Cresswell seeing an effort from distance flash wide.
Mark Noble then volleyed narrowly over for the hosts, before Marko Arnautovic forced a fine reaction save from Cherries 'keeper Asmir Begovic when he met Pablo Zabaleta's cross six yards out.
Bournemouth weathered the storm and went close to breaking the deadlock themselves when Lewis Cook curled an effort just wide following a well-worked corner routine.
Momentum swung back West Ham's way after the break, but again Begovic kept them at bay when tipping away Zabaleta's cross before Lanzini could get a touch on it.
Arnautovic then found himself through on goal, but the forward hesitated to strike with his left foot and allowed Steve Cook to come back and intercept.
The visitors went ahead when Junior Stanislas played a perfectly-weighted pass for Fraser, who caught Adrian out with a near-post effort - but their lead lasted all of two minutes.
From the kick-off, Arnautovic latched onto Hernandez's flick-on, but after seeing his attempt blocked, the Mexican stole in to secure West Ham a point.
The West Ham skipper threw himself about in the middle of the park, and on one occasion even flew in to make a diving header interception.
Four tackles, one clearance and three interceptions tells you only half the story of Noble's contribution for West Ham, for he was equally as impressive when setting the hosts up on the attack.
All this after Noble revealed to Jamie Redknapp in Friday's Daily Mail he makes sure the players' bonuses are shared with every staff member - the man is West Ham through and through.
David Moyes: "In the end, I wasn't unhappy with a point, but I have to say we missed some big chances which we could have got ourselves out of sight.
"I thought we played some of our best football this season, especially in the first half, but Bournemouth got strong in the second part of both halves, so in the end perhaps the draw was the right result."
Eddie Howe: "We didn't start the game particularly well, we came under pressure early but did well to defend that and not concede.
"We grew into the game and scored a great goal from our perspective, and looked a real threat on the counter attack in the second half. The frustrating thing is the timing of their second goal.
"There was no time to enjoy it or build on it, which is frustrating. I don't think the lads switched off or that it was a concentration issue, it was just the fact we didn't win two big headers outside our box."
West Ham head to Bournemouth's FA Cup conquerors, Wigan, in the fourth round next Saturday, while Bournemouth are not in action until January 31, when they travel to Chelsea for a midweek Premier League encounter.
