West Ham record signing Andre Ayew will not undergo surgery on the thigh injury he sustained in the opening day defeat at Chelsea.
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West Ham co-chairman David Gold says he “doesn’t care about” fans standing at the Olympic Stadium.
West Ham posted Enner Valencia and Cheikhou Kouyate up top but the fitful crosses from the likes of industrious Gokhan Tore and rejuvenated Michail Antonio were quickly absorbed by a Bournemouth side that, at times, offered more resolve that the Irons. The visitors have been rocked by two huge injuries as both Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew have been ruled out for the next few weeks. “We have this new fantastic stadium, but you still have to get the points on the board”.
And Antonio responded with the first Premier League goal at the London Stadium as West Ham christened their new home with a 1-0 victory.
“It’s frustrating, because he had done a whole pre-season”, admitted Bilic.
“I’m a big fan of Upton Park, I’m not paid to hail the new stadium if I don’t like it, I like those freezing cold stadiums”.
Gold, who claimed that stewards were not able to cope with the volume of fans who were standing, has waded into the debate and tweeted: “PERSONALLY I don’t care fans standing but I care about our Licence, the young and elderly that can’t see the game”.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe felt the dismissal was pivotal and was irritated that the midfielder’s first booking was for dissent.
‘We’ve always had the grit and we’re always going to keep going.
Bournemouth looked set to take a point from a dour encounter until Harry Arter was sent off for a second yellow card with 12 minutes remaining.
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With no Carroll to aim at and no Payet to run the show, West Ham had to work for every ball and they had to play some football and it just about worked.
