Enes Unal’s stunning free-kick canceled out Lucas Paqueta’s controversial VAR penalty to earn Bournemouth a deserved 1-1 draw with West Ham.
Unal rose from almost 30 yards to slot the dead ball past a helpless Lukasz Fabianski and lessen the sour taste in the hosts’ mouths after falling behind to a controversial handball decision just minutes earlier.
“Quite sensational, magnificent from Unal,” was the assessment Sky Sports’ Alan Smith.
The Cherries had been knocking on West Ham’s door since the break, registering 17 shots in total, but looked frustrated by their industrious visitors, who were then given a slice of luck to find the opener themselves.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lucas Paqueta awarded a penalty to give West Ham the lead after a lengthy VAR review of Tyler Adams’ handball.
After substitute Niklas Fulkrug headed straight at Kepa Arrizabalaga, VAR Michael Salisbury spotted a potential handball against Tyler Adams from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s initial cross, and after a lengthy review and a visit from Chris Kavanagh, the referee pointed. on the spot.
“I saw it on the big screen, like a lot of people, and I thought it was rough, I know his hand is high, but he’s so close to the ball,” Ryan Christie said. Sky Sports after.
“Their striker does release a player after that, so it can be an advantage. We didn’t get in that situation against Ipswich.”
Paquette rose to cheers from a crowd gathered around the Vitality Stadium before Unali’s free-kick moved the Cherries two points clear of Manchester City in fifth place.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Enes Unal equalizes for Bournemouth with a superb free-kick
Both sides hit the woodwork early on in the first half before Fabianski was alert to deny first Evanilsson and then Christie with two acrobatic stops as the Cherries stepped up the pressure in the second, but the Hammers deserved their point after one of their most convincing of the season defense demonstrations.
Iraola was upset after a personal intervention about the rules of handball
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Andoni Iraola said the draw with West Ham was not a good result for Bournemouth and was particularly disappointed with the decision to award the visitors a penalty late on.
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola to: Sky Sports.
“I don’t think it’s a good result for us, even if we score in the second half. I didn’t like the first half, and then we had to concede the penalty. I don’t think it’s a good point for us.
“The game was very slow for us in the first half. We weren’t brave enough to put them under real pressure. We improved in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to win it.”
About West Ham’s penalty. “I’m very disappointed. We had this match before the season and I personally argued because they don’t want defenders to defend with their hands at the back.
“I told them: we will continue this, that you are saying penalties, they said: don’t worry, it’s a natural position, we won’t name it, the first one: bam, it’s me. I am very disappointed to complain about this rule.
Karra: A ‘decent return’ eases the pressure on the Hammers
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football.
“Where West Ham were heading into last Monday’s game against Wolves is a good comeback considering where they’ve been for most of the season. I know we’ve watched them they beat Newcastle but they were quite lucky in that game.
“Then they played Arsenal and Leicester and those were really bad games for them. We know how much they enjoy Monday nights.
“I said before the game if they won tonight it would be a big result, but I think leaving Bournemouth is not a bad result.
“They’ll be disappointed, they’ll be 1-0 down and they’ll probably think they’ve seen the game, but they’d take it before the game.”
Lopetegui. We competed really well in a tough stadium
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Julen Lopetegui reacted to West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth and felt his players competed against tough opposition and created enough chances to win.
“West Ham” head coach Julen Lopetegui to: Sky Sports.
“I think it was painful, we thought we would win in a difficult stadium, it was very close. We were better in the first half, they were one step ahead in the second half, they demand a lot at home.
“We struggled a bit but got over it to score. It was an unbelievable goal from Unal. We were thinking about three points, but we competed really well.”
