The right-back cum left-winger scored the first goal in the Premier League – and the goal that ultimately mattered – for West Ham at their new home, the London Stadium, where they have moved after 112 evocative years at Upton Park.
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West Ham then needed a reaction save from goalkeeper Adrian followed by a clearance from near the goal-line to preserve their first league win at the team’s new home.
Midfielder Harry Arter became the first player to be sent off here – receiving a second caution in the 78th minute, for a foul on Cheikhou Kouyate, having been booked in the first half for dissent as he -disputed a handball correctly given against him.
For most of the afternoon, it looked as though the Hammers were set to be frustrated on their league debut at their new home, with clear chances scarce at either end.
But they could not prise Boro open again and David Moyes’s side, who featured all three of their new signings from Manchester United, remain without a point after two games while Middlesbrough have four from their opening matches.
Boss Slaven Bilic admitted last week the Ghana worldwide might not play again until January at the earliest if he needed surgery but now the club’s head of medical and sports science, Stijn Vandenbroucke, has ruled out an operation.
“I’m a big fan of the old stadium, I like those freezing cold stadiums, but I felt it was proper loud today and the fans helped us big time”.
He told Sky Sports: “The week we’ve had after Monday night, away to Chelsea and losing late on, and then going all the way to Romania and getting back in the early hours of Friday, to come and win at home is a great feeling”.
After an awkward start to the season, there was relief for Slaven Bilic thanks to Antonio’s late header.
“West Ham United condemn unreservedly the behaviour of a small minority of individuals in an isolated incident following the fixture against AFC Bournemouth”, West Ham officials told Mirror Football. Bournemouth were better than us in the first 15 minutes of the second half, but they didn’t hurt us.
– Slaven Bilic’s side won only its second of nine Premier League games since the start of last season without Dimitri Payet (W2 D5 L2).
“You’re asking me about him, okay”.
“There is no point in moaning, we know the situation. We need to be disciplined and keep 11 players on the pitch”.
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Bournemouth manager, Eddie Howe, said: “It was a tight game with little goalmouth action”. We are well aware that dissent or a negative reaction will be a yellow card. We’re going to get red cards galore if we don’t learn quickly.
