On Sunday West Ham face Bournemouth in their first home league game at their new ground, London’s 2012 Olympic Stadium.
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Having arrived back in the early hours of Friday morning, Bilic must now prepare a squad he admits has a few knocks – not to mention injuries to the likes of club-record signing Andre Ayew and fellow new recruit Sofiane Feghouli – for the visit of the Cherries.
Sunderland, and its new manager David Moyes, is also looking for its first point after a 2-1 loss to northeast rival Middlesbrough in the other game Sunday.
“It was an incredible game and the feeling of getting on the scoresheet and [to] get the first ever Premier League goal here, what can I say?” In the home game at Dean Court West Ham gained revenge by taking 3 points in a 3-1 victory, the Cherries goal coming from Harry Arter.
He remains without the injured Junior Stanislas, owing to a groin injury, while Tyrone Mings is not expected to return until September.
“I’ve gone on record to say it’s hard to attract Premier League players in their prime, we’ve gone down a younger route of recruitment, but we’re delighted with the player we’ve brought in, they’ve got great character, attitude and will be very good players for us”. They both look strong on the ball and use it cleverly. Fears have been expressed about whether the febrile atmosphere of Upton Park can be recreated, but given the undoubted passion of many West Ham fans, I don’t think there’ll be a long-term problem.
The two matches between these sides last term featured a total of 11 goals, and it’s worth noting that three of West Ham’s four competitive games this term have featured at least three goals.
Bournemouth won three of their five away trips to London in the Premier League last season (W3 D0 L2). The mercurial midfielder hopes to build on a maiden Premier League season that saw him score nine goals and set up 12 more.
West Ham opened their season with a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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Track-and-field stars like Usain Bolt and David Rudisha produced some unbelievable memories at the Olympic Stadium – now known simply as London Stadium – four years ago, but this match was forgettable until a flurry of incidents in the latter stages.
