STUNNING LATE FREE ENES UNAL KICK SNATCHES DRAW FOR BOURNEMOUTH AGAINST WEST HAM
Bournemouth and West Ham shared the spoils in a thrilling 1-1 draw after a stunning late free kick from Enes Unal cancelled out a Luca Paqueta penalty which had been converted just moments before. The result moves the Cherries up to sixth in the league, within two points of Manchester City in fifth, while the Hammers now have a seven-point gap to the relegation zone.
The first half ended goalless but was played at frantic pace as both sides threatened to take the lead on multiple occasions. West Ham came closest through captain Jarrod Bowen who clipped the bar with a curling strike. While Bournemouth really should’ve broken the deadlock as Lukasz Fabianski made a point blank save to deny Dango Ouattara on the stroke of half-time.
The home side came out the blocks fast in the second half and came close to breaking the deadlock several times but were repeatedly denied by veteran Fabianski in West Ham’s goal. Despite their chances it was West Ham who though they had won it at the death after Tyler Adams was adjudged to have handled the ball following a Wan-Bisakka cross after an on-field review.
Paqueta tucked it away in style but then Bournemouth produced some more late heroics as Unal converted a pinpoint free kick from 25 yards. The home side pushed for the equaliser into added time but had to settle for a draw which leaves them sixth in the league with a trip to Old Trafford up next, while West Ham stay 14th and will host Brighton at the weekend.