Published: December 17, 2024
Bournemouth, England: In a dramatic finish at the Vitality Stadium, Enes Unal’s stunning late free-kick salvaged a 1-1 draw for Bournemouth against West Ham United on Monday night. The Turkey international’s second goal of the season came just three minutes after Lucas Paqueta’s penalty looked to have sealed West Ham’s victory.
Paqueta Puts West Ham Ahead with Late Penalty
With only three minutes remaining in the match, West Ham were awarded a penalty after Tyler Adams was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. The referee consulted the pitchside monitor before confirming the decision. Paqueta calmly converted the spot-kick, sending goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga the wrong way to put West Ham in the lead. It seemed as though the Hammers were set for back-to-back wins in the Premier League.
Unal’s Heroic Free-Kick Saves Bournemouth
However, Bournemouth’s resilience shone through in the dying moments of the game. With the clock ticking down, Unal took a free-kick from 25 yards out. The 27-year-old’s superb strike looped into the top corner, leaving Fabianski helpless. Unal’s brilliant equalizer not only rescued a point for his team but extended Bournemouth’s unbeaten run to four matches, lifting them to sixth place in the Premier League standings.
Bournemouth’s late-game heroics have been a feature of their season, with the club scoring a league-high 10 goals in the final 15 minutes of matches. Unal’s crucial goal added to the tally, following his equalizer in the 2-1 win over Ipswich in their previous game.
Manager’s Reaction
Despite the dramatic equalizer, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola expressed frustration with the penalty decision that led to West Ham’s temporary lead. He criticized the refereeing, pointing out that the handball did not alter the course of the ball and was against what had been discussed in pre-season meetings. “It’s a play we analyzed, and I’m very disappointed with the penalty decision,” Iraola said. “It has cost us, and I’m very disappointed.”
Lopetegui’s West Ham Show Grit
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui was disappointed by the late equalizer but acknowledged the improvement his side had shown. “We suffered a little bit and overcame this to score, but it was an incredible goal from Unal. It’s a pity,” said Lopetegui. “There are positives. This is the first step to being stronger and a better team.”
While West Ham remain in 14th place, they are now seven points clear of the relegation zone, easing some pressure off Lopetegui’s shoulders.
Key Moments and Close Calls
The match was a tightly contested affair, with both teams having their moments. Bournemouth made an early statement when Antoine Semenyo had a header and then a low strike that rattled the far post. West Ham also looked dangerous on the counter-attack, with Jarrod Bowen testing the Bournemouth defense with a curling shot that hit the crossbar.
Bournemouth had multiple chances, with Dango Ouattara coming close to breaking the deadlock after a superb save from Lukasz Fabianski. Ouattara then nearly scored from long-range after halftime, but Fabianski was again equal to the task.
Looking Ahead
As both teams head into the festive period, Bournemouth will take confidence from their recent form, with Unal’s heroics adding a thrilling chapter to their season. For West Ham, despite the frustration of conceding late, the point ensures they stay clear of the relegation zone and continue to build under Lopetegui.
Bournemouth’s next challenge comes against another tough opponent, while West Ham will aim to build on their solid performance as they look to rise higher in the Premier League table.
