The relentless pressure from the home side eventually told in the 84th minute when the risky Michail Antonio, back in his favoured wing position, came in round the back to head home a cross from the left from the impressive Gokhan Tore.
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West Ham were victorious yesterday against Bournemouth during their first game at their new stadium, the London Stadium.
West Ham exploited their numerical advantage with five minutes to play when Gokhan Tore lifted an inviting cross to the back post and Antonio flew in to head home from close range.
Antonio developed a happy knack of scoring at Upton Park last term – six of his eight goals came at West Ham’s old ground – and he was delighted to get off the mark straight away at the club’s new home.
August is not even over and the treatment room at West Ham’s training ground is already fit to burst, with Bilic forced to make do without seven senior players against Bournemouth.
Carroll has suffered a series of injury setbacks since joining West Ham from Liverpool in 2012, initially on a season’s loan before the deal was made permanent.
Suddenly, West Ham found more space in attacking areas and they snatched the points in the 85th minute.
West Ham co-chairman David Gold says he “doesn’t care about” fans standing at the Olympic Stadium.
The home supporters endured a nervous wait as Bilic’s side, missing forwards Andre Ayew, Andy Carroll and Dimitri Payet through injury, struggled until Bournemouth had influential midfielder Arter dismissed for a second bookable offence.
“The lads were brilliant”, he said.
“That’s the one that has to disappoint, the first booking”, said Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, whose side are bottom after two games. Their season – like the move to the stadium – has had teething troubles but under Bilic’s assured stewardship they are in safe hands.
“Ultimately it’s the red card that has cost us the game”.
“We know the rules, dissent will be yellow cards and that’s the one that burns”.
The full-back concluded: “It is a great stadium, the pitch, the atmosphere, it really is special and we are really excited to be playing in this stadium”.
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‘It’s going to be a massive lift for us.
