‘It’s not a good point’ for Iraola

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola was disappointed that his team could only draw with West Ham despite substitute Enes Unal equalizing with a stunning free kick in the 90th minute.

Lucas Paqueta gave West Ham the lead from the penalty spot three minutes from time, but Unal equalized with a superb free kick to earn a share of the points.

The Cherries had a remarkable 29 shots on goal (a total they have only surpassed once in the Premier League), but struggled to finish in an open game.

“I don’t think it will be a good result for us, even if we score the goal at the end,” Iraola said.

“We were better in the second half. I didn’t like the first half. We were pushing to win and then the penalty came and we had to get the point. I don’t think that’s a good point for us.

“It seemed hard to me”

Henry reacts to Bournemouth’s late equalizer against West Ham 👇 pic.twitter.com/smPcZaoYfF

– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 16, 2024

“The game was very slow for us in the first half. We weren’t brave enough to really push them. “We improved in the second half but it wasn’t enough to win.”

West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui praised his team’s resilience.

Spaniard Lopetegui has been under pressure after West Ham’s indifferent start to the season but will be pleased with his players’ attitude in a game in which they were second best for much of it.

“I think it was a shame. “We thought we would win in a difficult stadium,” Lopetegui told Sky Sports.

“It was very close. In the first half we were better, in the second half they were one step ahead. We suffered a little but we overcame it and scored.

“It was an incredible goal from Unal. After scoring, they put a lot of pressure on. We showed good behavior in the last moments. We compete very well.

“More than the point is the behavior that the players showed. “It was very good,” he added.

The draw puts West Ham seven points clear of the relegation zone. Sixth-placed Bournemouth have no such worries, having amassed more points (25) at this point in the season than in any of their other Premier League campaigns.