Bournemouth’s Enes Unal Scores Sensational Free-Kick to Salvage Late Draw with West Ham
Enes Unal produced a moment of magic to earn Bournemouth a dramatic 1-1 draw against West Ham at the Vitality Stadium on Monday night. The Turkey forward’s superb 90th-minute free-kick canceled out Lucas Paqueta’s late penalty, ensuring Bournemouth extended their unbeaten run to four matches and climbed to sixth place in the Premier League standings.
This result highlights Bournemouth’s growing reputation for late goals, with the Cherries now having scored a league-high 10 goals in the final 15 minutes of matches this season. It also denied West Ham a second consecutive victory and left them in 14th place, seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Early Exchanges: Bournemouth’s Dominant Start
Bournemouth came into the game full of confidence after their dramatic comeback victory over Ipswich, and they started brightly against an under-pressure West Ham side. Antoine Semenyo, the driving force for the hosts, set the tone early with his energy and physicality.
Winning a towering header to initiate Bournemouth’s first attack, Semenyo sprinted into the box to connect with Evanilson’s return pass. His low effort, however, clipped the far post, narrowly missing the opener.
West Ham responded with a series of threatening counters. Jarrod Bowen, who had been the match-winner when these sides met in the League Cup earlier this season, nearly repeated the feat. His curling strike from the edge of the box smashed off the crossbar, leaving Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga stranded.
Carlos Soler followed up with a narrowly wide effort, while Tomas Soucek dragged a shot just past the post from close range. Despite West Ham’s occasional threats, Bournemouth remained the more dominant side, particularly through the trickery of Dango Ouattara.
Fabianski Heroics Keep West Ham Alive
Lukasz Fabianski was West Ham’s standout performer, making several crucial saves to keep his team in contention. In the 38th minute, Ouattara appeared certain to score when a loose ball fell to him just five yards from goal. However, Fabianski made a stunning reflex save with his legs, frustrating the hosts.
The Polish shot-stopper continued his heroics after the interval, tipping Ouattara’s long-range strike just past the post and denying Ryan Christie with a fingertip save. Bournemouth’s Philip Billing then had a double chance, but Fabianski saved the first shot before pushing Christie’s follow-up wide.
West Ham Strike Late Through Paqueta
Despite being under siege for much of the game, West Ham took the lead in the 87th minute under controversial circumstances. A cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka struck Tyler Adams’ outstretched arm, leading referee Chris Kavanagh to award a penalty after consulting the pitchside monitor.
Lucas Paqueta stepped up with his trademark stutter-step run-up and calmly sent Kepa the wrong way, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to give West Ham a 1-0 advantage. It looked like a devastating blow for Bournemouth, who had controlled the match but struggled to convert their dominance into goals.
Unal’s Magic Rescues Bournemouth
Just when it seemed West Ham would snatch all three points, Enes Unal delivered a moment of brilliance to rescue Bournemouth. The Turkish forward, known for his expertise in set-pieces, lined up a free-kick from 25 yards and curled it with precision into the top corner.
Sit back, and enjoy pic.twitter.com/1ihGUKxJZp
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) December 17, 2024
The Vitality Stadium erupted as Unal celebrated his stunning equalizer, his second goal of the season, and his second late heroics in consecutive matches. It was a goal worthy of rescuing a hard-fought point for Andoni Iraola’s side.
Manager Reactions
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola praised Unal’s exceptional free-kick but expressed his frustration with the penalty decision. “Enes scored an amazing goal. He’s a specialist,” Iraola said. “But I’m very disappointed with the penalty. We analyzed it before the season, and we were told players don’t need to defend with hands behind their back in unnatural positions. It didn’t change the direction of the cross, but it cost us a goal.”
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui admitted disappointment at conceding late but took positives from his team’s performance. “We suffered and overcame pressure to score, but it was an incredible goal from Unal. It’s a pity, but this is the first step towards becoming a stronger and better team,” Lopetegui reflected.
Key Performances
- Enes Unal (Bournemouth): Scored a stunning late free-kick to rescue a point, showcasing his technical ability under pressure.
- Lukasz Fabianski (West Ham): Made several vital saves to keep West Ham in the game, including a brilliant stop to deny Ouattara.
- Lucas Paqueta (West Ham): Converted a late penalty with composure, momentarily giving his side the lead.
Bournemouth’s Resilience Continues
This result underscores Bournemouth’s ability to fight until the final whistle. The Cherries’ record of 10 goals in the last 15 minutes of matches this season reflects their resilience and attacking intent under Iraola. The draw extends their unbeaten streak to four games and lifts them to sixth place, a significant achievement for the south coast side.
West Ham’s Mixed Fortunes
For West Ham, the draw offered mixed emotions. While they avoided defeat for the second consecutive match, Lopetegui’s men missed an opportunity to climb further up the table. Sitting in 14th place, the Hammers remain precariously close to the relegation zone and will need to find consistency to avoid further pressure.
Who are the big winners from Matchweek 16? pic.twitter.com/EUJZMZfpLm
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 17, 2024
Looking Ahead
Bournemouth will look to build on their momentum as they continue their push for a European spot, while West Ham will aim to tighten their defense and climb the standings. With key fixtures on the horizon, both teams will see this match as a turning point in their respective campaigns.
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