Bournemouth substitute Enes Unal grabbed a superb last-minute free-kick to earn his side a deserved point at the end of an open and entertaining game against West Ham.
Lucas Paqueta’s contested penalty looked set to give the Hammers victory, but Unal stepped up to beat Lukasz Fabianski from 25 yards.
Both sides hit the woodwork and shared many chances without being able to find a way past goalkeepers Kepa and Fabianski – who were both in excellent form throughout.
But when Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross was adjudged by referee Chris Kavanagh to have hit the arm of Bournemouth scholar Tyler Adams – following a VAR review – Paqueta kept his cool to give West Ham the lead.
The Brazilian ran off to celebrate with under-pressure manager Julen Lopetegui, but moments later an attacking challenge from Constantinos Mavropanos gave the home side a free-kick.
Hang it in Persian 🎨 pic.twitter.com/9SO9wTQiid
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 16, 2024
Unal – who came on for Evanilsson in the 80th minute – then curled the free-kick over the wall and into the top corner.
Bournemouth could have moved up to fifth with a win but will be worried about key player Antoine Semeneu who went off in the second half with an apparent injury.
More to come.
