West Ham’s Michail Antonio, center, and AFC Bournemouth’s Adam Smith battle for the ball during their English Premier League soccer match at the London Stadium, London, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016.
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It was the first Premier League game to be played at the Hammers new stadium, but the event was marred by the violence that ensued in an isolated incident which followed the final whistle.
West Ham got their life at the Olympic Stadium in the Premier League off to a winning start with a stuttering performance against Bournemouth, won by a late Antonio header from a cute Tore cross.
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.
Carroll sustained the problem during West Ham’s Europa League play-off first leg tie against Astra Giurgiu on Thursday.
It has not been a great start to the season for Antonio, whose efforts at right-back have brought him all the wrong headlines in recent days and, after conceding a costly penalty, getting booked and substituted all in the space of five frantic minutes at Stamford Bridge on Monday night, this was the ideal reply from the West Ham wide boy.
“We were really good in terms of team spirit and aggressiveness, I think we just deserve it”.
Already without record signing Andrew Ayew, France midfielder Dimitri Payet and defender Aaron Cresswell, Bilic learnt on Sunday that former Liverpool striker Andy Carroll would be sidelined for up to six weeks with a knee injury. Their season – like the move to the stadium – has had teething troubles but under Bilic’s assured stewardship they are in safe hands.
“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 awesome”, he said.
Josh King threatened to spoil West Ham’s big day with a long-range strike early in the second half, drawing a full-stretch save from home goalkeeper Adrian.
Bilic continued: “It was hard, we knew it would be”. If we lose our discipline we could have a flurry of red cards.
“That’s the one that has to disappoint, the first booking”.
“It’s dissent and we know we can’t do that”.
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“We aren’t just going to get wins given”.
