West Ham pinch a win from 10-man AFCB 1-0

Match Report

21 August 2016

West Ham 1-0 AFCB

Attendance: 56,977

AFCB and West Ham are led out at London Stadium.

Eddie Howe will be desperately disappointed that AFCB came away with nothing from this game. West Ham were well below par with star players like Payet and Lanzini missing from their starting line ups and AFCB had chances to win this game. Instead it was the second half sending off of Harry Arter for his second yellow card offence that ultimately cost the Cherries all the points. West Ham got their London stadium home win in the Premier League when Töre crossed the ball back across the box and Michail Anotino headed in on the far post with just four minutes to go. This was a game where AFCB could easily got off the mark but they are left still searching for their first points.

The team selection was fairly consistent with the last game with Ryan Fraser making his Premier League debut on the left wing the only change, while Lewis Cook was left out of the squad having suffered a knee injury in midweek. AFCB would play in their more favoured 4-4-1-1 formation.

West Ham fans Ben, Paul and Joe give their pre-match thoughts.

More pictures are on Match Day Gallery. 

Getting ready for kick off.

The first half was tight and well contested with the Cherries pressing high up early on and Wilson might have got them off to a flyer had he not slipped in the box as he was about to shoot. Simon Francis was kept busy early though with a foot sprint with Antonio which he just about won.

West Ham soon started to have more of the ball and Töre shot over after beating Daniels on AFCB's left. Mark Noble was controlling midfield with Antonio and Töre his main outlets. It was Sam Byram though, on the right, that put on a strong cross that Boruc had to catch cleanly early on.

AFCB were looking for Wilson but he still could not find a clear shot on goal. Worse still Fraser's foul on Noble gave West Ham a free kick just 30 yards out on the right on 20 minutes. Töre put the kick into the wall but the Hammers were gathering momentum. Kouyaté made a good run to the right wing and had Arter for company, cutting inside and then coming back, the ball rose up on Arter and the referee gave a free kick, although Arter patted his chest in frustration. It was enough for the yellow card to be given to him which would be important later on. 

West Ham were coming froward more now, encouraged by their minor victories - Kouyaté though fired over and Antonio wide. Steve Cook must have said something to Craig Pawson as he also picked up a yellow card.

Then Simon Francis inexplicably intercepted a ball from Surman to Boruc and made a mess of his pass out wide as he only found Mark Noble. But there was no lasting damage this time. A strong tackle on Fraser from Byram had AFCB fans asking for the yellow card and it was soon shown seconds later to Byram when he then clattered into Wilson.

Boruc then had to make a good save to his left as Valencia hit a good shot to his left. AFCB finally won their first corner as the half faded, but Fraser kicked it straight out! A second corner taken by Francis was better but it was 0-0 at half time.

No goals first half.

Second Half

AFCB won a corner straight away in the second half. Adam Smith then went on one of his runs but shot weakly for Adrian to save easily to his left. This was AFCB's best spell. Jason Ibe was put in on Adrian by Josh King, but he squared a pass at the last moment looking for Wilson. The ball was cleared and the chance disappeared when Ibe would have done better to have shot himself. The Cherries then tried their luck from distance when Josh King brought a great save out of Adrian, who tipped the Bournemouth striker's shot over.

West Ham fans then thought Töre had scored on the hour but it was just the side netting. At the other end Wilson battled for a header with Reid but could not out jump the defender.

On 62 minutes Valencia slowly trudged off and was subbed for Calleri. It did not slow AFCB down as Ibe flashed a shot that was deflected for Adrian to save down low. Calleri linked well with Antonio but Boruc saved well at the far post.

While Grabban replaced Callum Wilson on 73 minutes, the plan had to change quickly when Harry Arter was red carded for a second yellow card offence this time for chopping down Kouyaté who was breaking from half way. Howe immediately took off Ibe and put on Nathan Aké. Collins objected to the slow pace of Ibe walking off which was no slower than Valencia, and he tried to give Ibe a helping push!

Bilic took of Nordveit and brought on Fletcher, another attacker, as they went for the win. Calleri had the next attempt that went over. But AFCB got caught with a few minutes to go a cross from Touré saw Daniels struggling to get back and Anonio headed in at the far post.

Gosling came on for Fraser with time running out and West Ham replaced Touré for Obiango who immediately received a yellow card for fouling Adam Smith.

Added on time could have brought an equaliser as a goalmouth scramble saw Adrian make a great save from Josh King and then the rebound from Simon Francis was cleared off the line by Reid. Then West Ham could have made the margin of victory bigger as Noble sent Calleri on his way, but the number 28 shot wide with just Boruc to beat.

Aké is first to come over to the fans.

No win in two this season.

Summary

Harry Arter was going to lose his rag at some point this season, but the second game - it's not good enough. He now misses the next game. The defence looked better but Francis is still making individual mistakes. It is Steve Cook who is doing much of the good blocking work and keeping his head well. Up front, the ball is still not sticking for Callum Wilson and AFCB need goals if they are going to get points - roll on Morecambe and some more shooting practise!

AFCB
Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels Ibe (Aké 79), Arter, Surman, Fraser (Gosling 83), King, Wilson (Grabban 75)

AFCB Subs
Federici, Smith, Gosling, Aké, Afobe, Gradel, Grabban

Ratings 

Boruc 6, Smith 7, Francis 5, Cook 8, Daniels 5, Ibe 6, Arter 4, Surman 6, Fraser 6, King 6, Wilson 6 

West Ham

Adrián, Byram, Collins, Reid, Masuaku, Kouyaté, Nordtveit (Fletcher 80), Töre (Obiang89)
Noble, Antonio, Valencia (Calleri 63)

West Ham Subs
Randolph, Obiang, Ogbonna, Fletcher, Calleri, Burke, Oxford

Eddie has lots to ponder about.

Francis may need to do more to be a winning captain.