Bournemouth substitute Enes Unal scored a wonderful last-minute free-kick to earn his side a deserved point at the end of an open and entertaining game against West Ham
Lucas Paqueta’s controversial late penalty could have given the Hammers victory, but Unal stepped up and hammered a swerving shot past Lukasz Fabianski from 25 yards.
Both teams were on target and had numerous chances without getting past goalkeepers Kepa and Fabianski, both of whom were in excellent form throughout.
But when referee Chris Kavanagh assessed Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross following a VAR review as damaging Bournemouth substitute Tyler Adams’ hand, Paqueta held his nerve and gave West Ham the lead.
The Brazilian ran to celebrate with under-pressure coach Julen Lopetegui, but soon after a rash foul from Konstantinos Mavropanos gave the hosts a free kick.
Hang it in the blinds 🎨 pic.twitter.com/9SO9wTQiid
– AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 16, 2024
Unal – who came on as a substitute for Evanilson in the 80th minute – then directed the free kick over the wall and into the top corner.
Bournemouth could have moved into fifth place with a win but have to worry about key player Antoine Semenyo appearing to withdraw in the second half due to injury.
“That’s my distance!”
Carra and Henry analyze Unal’s free kick 👏 pic.twitter.com/07VbGQszBb
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 16, 2024
Andoni Iraola’s men climb into the top six ahead of Aston Villa. West Ham remain in 14th place after losing two league games in a row for only the third time this season.
The Cherries had 29 shots in the game – West Ham had 16 of their own – but they repeatedly failed to find the decisive touch in front of goal.
Semenyo and West Ham striker Jarrod Bowen both hit the woodwork with attempts from the edge of the box in the first half as both sides posed a serious threat on the counter-attack.
Paqueta has yet to miss a penalty for the Hammers and thought he had won, but Bournemouth have scored more goals from substitutes than any other team in the competition and Unal’s spectacular strike was his eighth.
