Bournemouth extended their Premier League winless run to seven games in a disappointing 2-2 draw with West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Until Antoine Semenyo‘s strike was spilled by Alphonse Areola into the path of Evanilson for the Cherries’ opener seven minutes from the interval, both sides were struggling to produce any genuine threat, and the goal sequence featured the only two shots on target in the entirety of the first half.
That being said, Iraola’s men did hit the post through header from Illiya Zabarnyi just moments later, and the visitors were deserving of their narrow lead going into the break.
The second half started slow but burst into life just beyond the hour mark when Niclas Fullkrug drew the Hammers level with a header from a James Ward-Prowse corner, and Jarrod Bowen put them ahead with a second in seven minutes.
It seemed that West Ham were set to take maximum points for the first time since February, but Evanilson’s late equaliser meant that neither club went home satisfied with their share of the spoils.
SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT
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Graham Potter has endured a difficult start to life at West Ham, and the boss had recorded just three wins since his appointment back in early January prior to kick off.
Despite dropping two points, the manager will be pleased with the fight and character that his team showed to put themselves in front after going into half-time 1-0 down.
As for Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola‘s men were on course for a place in UEFA competition next season at the start of the year, but without a Premier League win since February 15, the Cherries’ dream seems to have died.
When Evanilson put the visitors ahead, fans must have thought that their troubling loss against relegation-contenders Ipswich Town was behind them, but they watched their side give away the lead and only draw level with a late equaliser from their in-form striker.
WEST HAM UNITED VS. BOURNEMOUTH HIGHLIGHTS
38th min: West Ham United 0-1 Bournemouth (Evanilson)
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Bournemouth work the ball out wide on the right and eventually back inside to Antoine Semenyo, whose strike is poorly parried back into the central danger zone by Alphonse Areola, and Evanilson reacts quickest to finish into an open goal from close range.
61st min: West Ham United 1-1 Bournemouth (Niclas Fullkrug)
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James Ward-Prowse picks out Niclas Fullkrug with his trademark pinpoint accuracy with an outswinging corner from the right-hand side, and the striker meets the ball eight-yards out with a powerful header to draw the hosts level.
68th min: West Ham United 2-1 Bournemouth (Jarrod Bowen)
Mohamed Kudus skips past James Hill in the right-back position before clipping a cross towards Jarrod Bowen, who heads past Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the bottom-right corner with precision despite having to shift backwards to reach the ball.
79th min: West Ham United 2-2 Bournemouth (Evanilson)
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Kepa touches a free kick on the halfway line to David Brooks, who crosses the ball in towards Dean Huijsen, and the young centre-back heads it across goal for Evanilson to tap in at the back post for his third in two games.
MAN OF THE MATCH – EVANILSON
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Evanilson has been one of the most in-form players in the league since his return from injury, and his two goals on Saturday rescued a point for Bournemouth amidst a difficult spell for the club.
Though he will be disappointed that neither of his finishes were match winners, the Brazilian striker is consistently showing the threat that he can pose for opposition defences, and the efficiency with which he dispatched his chances this weekend was impressive.
WEST HAM UNITED VS. BOURNEMOUTH MATCH STATS
Possession: West Ham United 56%-44% Bournemouth
Shots: West Ham United 9-11 Bournemouth
Shots on target: West Ham United 3-4 Bournemouth
Corners: West Ham United 4-7 Bournemouth
Fouls: West Ham United 13-13 Bournemouth
BEST STATS
No Premier League player has scored more goals across all competitions since the Brazilian returned from injury on the 1st of March than Evanilson (6).
He’s come back firing. ⚽ pic.twitter.com/03EjOC2TvW
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 5, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Up next for West Ham is a trip to Anfield to face would-be champions Liverpool next Sunday, while Bournemouth will host Fulham for an important clash in the race for Europe on March 15.
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