Bournemouth substitute Enes Unal hit a wonderful last-minute free-kick to earn his side a deserved point at the end of an open and entertaining match with West Ham
Lucas Paqueta’s contentious late penalty had looked set to give the Hammers victory but Unal stepped up to hammer a swerving strike past Lukasz Fabianski from fully 25 yards.
Both sides had hit the woodwork and shared numerous 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 judged by referee Chris Kavanagh to have hit the hand of Bournemouth sub Tyler Adams – after a VAR review – Paqueta kept his cool to clip West Ham ahead.
The Brazilian ran to celebrate with under-pressure manager Julen Lopetegui but moments later a rash challenge from Konstantinos Mavropanos gave the hosts a free-kick.
Hang it in the louvre 🎨 pic.twitter.com/9SO9wTQiid
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 16, 2024
Unal – who came on to replace Evanilson in the 80th minute – then bent the free-kick over the wall and into the top corner.
Bournemouth could have gone fifth with victory but will be concerned at keyman Antoine Semenyo departing in the second half with an apparent injury.
"That's my distance!"
Carra and Henry analyse Unal's free-kick 👏 pic.twitter.com/07VbGQszBb
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 16, 2024
Andoni Iraola’s men climb above Aston Villa into the top six. West Ham remain in 14th, having avoided defeat for two league games in a row for only the third time this season.
The Cherries had 29 shots in the game – West Ham had 16 of their own – but time and again failed to find the killer touch in front of goal.
Semenyo and West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen both hit the woodwork in the first half with efforts from the edge of the area as both sides posed a serious threat on the break.
Paqueta is yet to miss from the spot for the Hammers and thought he had won it but Bournemouth have scored more goals with subs than any other side in the competition and Unal’s stunner was their eighth.
