Michail Antonio prompty took advantage as he nodded home a late victor five minutes from time, converting from Gokhan Tore’s cross to the back post to seal victory in for the Hammers in the first league game at their new London Stadium.
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Antonio, hauled off at Chelsea for a torrid display at right-back, underlined his effectiveness at the other end by lurking at the far post to meet summer signing Gokhan Tore’s left-wing cross.
For all West Ham’s effort, they didn’t look like breaking through until Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter was sent off for a second booking in the 77th minute after chopping down Cheikhou Kouyate.
West Ham United now turn their attention to the UEFA Europa League, play-off round, second leg, when they face Astra Giurgiu on Thursday August 25 at the London Stadium (7:45pm).
The dismissal proved crucial as West Ham went on to win the match thanks to Michail Antonio’s 85th-minute header.
One swift counter-attack, started by Sam Byram and featuring neat one-touch passes from Mark Noble and Valencia, culminated in Tore feeding Antonio who scuffed his shot wide.
“The lads were brilliant”, he said.
Despite the sterile experience, Hammers boss Bilic claimed he enjoyed the atmosphere and said the stadium would be rocking like the Upton Park glory days if his players can repeat or improve on last season’s impressive Premier League form.
Bilic hopes Payet will return by next weekend, but he admitted to being frustrated that the injury-prone Carroll had been ruled out yet again. “As long as we are winning, competing for something and they are happy, we are going to pack this stadium”. “But if you tell me it’s four to six weeks, and then he’s fit for the rest of the season, then I would take that”.
“Against Bournemouth, a team full of energy and really good in terms of team spirit, we showed aggression and compactness and created a few chances”.
“We played well”, said Moyes.
Howe’s side were reduced to 10 men late on when Harry Arter picked up a second yellow card, and Slaven Bilic’s men duly ensured their numerical advantage was not wasted as Antonio knocked in the victor.
Howe was left to bemoan Harry Arter’s indiscipline after his red card proved costly in a 1-0 defeat at West Ham. If we lose our discipline we could have a flurry of red cards.
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“We know there are going to be yellow cards, so we have to do better”.
