Winger Michail Antonio’s 85th-minute header snatched the points for the Hammers just moments after Bournemouth were reduced to 10 men by the sending off of midfielder Harry Arter.
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The relentless pressure from the home side eventually told in the 84th minute when the unsafe 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. Having endured a tortuous night while playing out of position in last Monday’s defeat to Chelsea, Antonio was back in his favourite position against Bournemouth and he showed Slaven Bilic why he should stay there with a timely reminder of his goalscoring instincts.
– West Ham is the second team to have won consecutive Premier League home matches at different stadiums after Sunderland at Roker Park and the Stadium of Light.
Whatever happens now in the career of Michail Antonio, who has journeyed from non-League to -Premier League in one of those -uplifting sporting stories, his name will be writ large in the history of West Ham United.
“We were a bit more positive with the ball, we posed them more questions, we had the best opportunities in the game”.
“On behalf of all at West Ham United, I would like to welcome Ocean Holidays on board and I hope this is the start of a very successful relationship over the coming three years”.
Bilic continued: “It was hard, we knew it would be”. Unfortunately the mistake for us was going down to ten men.
In stark contrast to the corresponding fixture last term – which finished 4-3 to Eddie Howe’s side – Sunday’s affair was a slow-burner, with the teams mustering just one shot on target between them in a first-half shorn of clear-cut chances.
“I told the players they would start at 150 percent, but with players of the quality of Cristhian Stuani we were able to score a first goal like that, which opened up the game”. To celebrate, let’s take a quick look at the player ratings from the opening game. “We have a good team and we’re expecting to play a good game”. If we lose our discipline we could have a flurry of red cards.
“It’s going to be a massive lift for us”.
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“It’s dissent and we know we can’t do that”.
