West ham United will feel it’s two points dropped as they failed to take their chances, drawing 0-0 with AFC Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side missed the chance to close the gap on 17th placed Nottingham Forest, failing to capitalise on numerous opportunities at the London Stadium. Both team’s headed into this fixture in fine form, having won three of their last five Premier League games.
Neither side could take their chances, despite having 20 total shots, the Irons could not find the net, but defended well, resulting in their first goalless draw in 52 league games.
Nuno made one change to his league starting XI, with Soungoutou Magassa coming in for the suspended Freddie Potts in central midfield.
First-half
The first-half started in frantic fashion. Valentin Castellanos winning a corner for Jarrod Bowen to whip in. Axel Disasi was the man to meet it, with his effort deflected by Adrien Truffert before being parried by Djorde Petrovic. Disasi volleyed in the rebound, but Truffert was their to block.
Minutes later, West Ham had another chance. Castellanos delivering a curling cross for Crysencio Summerville to attack, but the wingers effort could not test Petrovic.
Straight down the other end, Bournemouth’s Rayan tested Mads Hermanson with a low drive from 25-yards-out, but the big Dane was on hand to stop the shot.
The next 25 minutes resembled a midfield battle, with both sides attempting to work a breakthrough ouut.
Just prior to the half-hour mark, the Hammers had another chance. Castellanos involved once again, seeing two headers over the bar from a Summerville and Bowen set piece.
Bowen would then shoot wide, before Alex Scott tested Hermanson from range. Summerville would then dribble past both Marcos Senesi and Tyler Adams, but could not land his effort on target.
Second-half
The second-half began in the same fashion, but opened up far quicker as both side’s looked for the all important goal.
Mateus Fernandes dragged a shot wide before Rayan went inches close to the opener. The young Brazilian took the ball from his own half, flying past defenders before clipping the outside of the post with his effort.
Chances began to flow as the game continued. Konsantinos Mavropanos blocked David Brooks shot, before James Hill did the same at the other end to stop Tomas Soucek. Castellanos showed off his acrobatics, but could not guide Bowen’s cross home.
Magassa would then smash another Bowen delivery over the bar as it became anyone’s game to win.
Substitute Callum Wilson forced Petrovic into a diving save before putting the rebound over the bar.
West Ham looked the more likely winner as the game clawed closer to it’s conclusion. Summerville saw his shot deflected onto the roof of the net before Bowen could not guide home one of the Dutchman’s crosses.
As the final whistle blew, the Hammers could not find a winner, and will no doubt see this as two points dropped in the fight for Premier League survival.
Teams
West Ham United: Hermansen, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf, Magassa (Kanté 84), Fernandes, Bowen , Souček (Wilson 72), Summerville, Taty
Subs not used: Areola (GK), Walker-Peters, Scarles, Mayers, Kilman, Todibo, Adama
Booked: Souček
AFC Bournemouth: Petrović, Jiménez (Smith 89), Hill, Senesi ©, Truffert, Scott, Adams (Christie 66), Rayan, Evanilson (Tavernier 80), Adli (Brooks 66), Kroupi (Unal 89)
Subs not used: Mandas (GK), Diakité, Milosavljević, Tóth
Booked: Senesi
Referee: Sam Barrott
Attendance: 62,437
