“This is the new, modern West Ham”, Karren Brady announced in a video that flashed on the big screens in the moments before the start of the first Premier League fixture in this shiny, slightly disorienting bowl of a stadium but the boldness of that message from the vice-chairman was somewhat diluted by creeping reminders that the simple act of moving home is not enough to eradicate all of a club’s weaknesses on its own. The Hammers welcomed the Premier League into their new home for the first time and got off to a winning start when Antonio crashed in a header five minutes from time.
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“With the week we’ve had – a disappointing result on Monday, then to go all the way to Romania [for a Europa League play-off tie] and get back at five on Friday morning, then get a win at home, it’s unbelievable”, he said.
West Ham striker Andy Carroll faces yet another spell on the sidelines.
The Cherries will be hoping to take advantage of any exhausted legs in the West Ham team who had to travel to Romania on Thursday for a Europa League tie at Astra, which they drew 1-1.
His latest setback also adds to a growing casualty list for manager Slaven Bilic, who this week lost club-record signing Andre Ayew for four months to a thigh injury.
Skipper Mark Noble felt the win against Bournemouth, who had Harry Arter sent off eight minutes before Antonio’s goal, illustrated the determination and grit in West Ham’s injury-hit squad.
Inspired by Callum Wilson’s hat-trick, Bournemouth romped to a 4-3 win at Upton Park last season. West Ham took full advantage as Antonio nodded in from three yards out after the skillful Tore had floated a fine cross to the back stick.
Tore volleyed into the side-netting from Antonio’s cross as West Ham tried to regain the initiative, but Bilic was unimpressed and introduced on-loan Argentine forward Jonathan Calleri for his debut in place of the ineffective Valencia. Bournemouth were better than us in the first 15 minutes of the second half but they didn’t hurt us.
Suddenly, West Ham found more space in attacking areas and they snatched the points in the 85th minute.
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Antonio rose highest at the back post to head in Gokhan Tore’s cross and decide a game of few chances.
