Bournemouth come back to draw too-safe West Ham

So what did Andoni Iraola make of Bournemouth’s game?

“Obviously a work in progress,” he said, via the BBC. “We were slow moving the ball in the first half. Our defenders have to move it much faster higher up the pitch. Joe [Rothwell] took more responsibility in the build-up. We were finding our forwards better through the wings. We’re still working on it.”

David Moyes says West Ham’s game was “a wee bit huff and puff at times,” but that’s part and parcel of Week 1 (quotes via the BBC).

“The first game of season, you’re never sure. One point isn’t bad but for long periods it looked like we’d win.

“We looked well-organized. We played only at certain times. Jarrod scored a good goal. In the main we had the game where we wanted it. When you see their goal it hits Soucek’s ankle, it was really unlucky. I don’t think we deserved that.

“We have Paqueta who we know is a good player, Soucek, Fornals. We’ll miss Declan but I have really good players.”

Here’s new West Ham captain Kurt Zouma, who played well in the 1-1 draw, via the BBC:

“Tough game today. We could have done better for their goal but it’s the first game of the season, we’re happy to have a draw.

“Your legs feel tired on the first game of the season. They made it tough for us. We had another chance to score. It is what it is. We need to get a win next week. ... We deserved the three points today.”

Good things happen when you follow the ball.

A deflected strike heads right to the hard-charging Dominic Solanke, who walks around Alphonse Areola and slots a pretty-deserved equalizer!

The second half has turned hard in favor of Bournemouth, who won’t stop in pursuit of three points.

But West Ham is responding, and this game is now a lively 1-1.

Subs of Justin Kluivert, Kieffer Moore, and Chris Mepham have the Cherries going a bit more direct, but just a bit.

The second half sees possession at 54-46 to Bournemouth, but shot attempts even at 4-4.

And that plan probably could have this game 1-1 were it not for a nice Alphonse Areola save. He’s up to four on the game.

Jarrod Bowen and Bukayo Saka in the Spider-Men meme.

Bowen cuts inside atop the 18 and swirls a vicious curler inside the far post, upper 90, as West Ham goes in front at the Vitality Stadium.

What a hit from the former Hull City starlet.

1-0, Irons.

xG has been revised to show West Ham with 1.03 to Bournemouth’s 0.07.

Andoni Iraola will, however, love the hosts’ 67% possession mark with 84% passing (and more than double West Ham’s 101 completed passes).

West Ham is the danger club, though, as David Moyes’ men have nine of the match’s 12 shot attempts.

Philip Billing has been Bournemouth’s standout player and young Hungarian left back Milos Kerkez has also impressed for Iraola’s Cherries.

It’s been all about West Ham’s midfield, too, with Lucas Paqueta and Tomas Soucek showing a good start to life without Declan Rice in the Premier League.

Still awaiting our first goal at Bournemouth, where it’s a lot of hard fouling between the two.

As we say that, Alphonse Areola is forced into a save by Bournemouth. If the Cherries can turn the ball into chances, this could get real good, real quick.

Andoni Iraola is getting the David Moyes treatment in his first match as a Premier League manager.

Bournemouth has 70% possession through the first half-hour but all of 0.14 xG to show for it. The latest bit came on a Kurt Zouma intervention that led to a corner also cleared by the new West Ham captain.

West Ham, on the other hand, has found a lot more danger. It’s a 0.56 xG total and a 6-3 advantage in shot attempts.

Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium is noisy! But it’s West Ham who has had more of the danger.

They’ve missed the frame once but Tomas Soucek has just snapped a shot off the post.

Bournemouth goalkeeper and captain Neto collects the ball as it bounds right toward his gloves, and the Cherries will know they are lucky to be level.

It’s a familiar-looking West Ham even without Declan Rice, and Kurt Zouma takes the captain’s arm band for David Moyes.

Alphonse Areola starts in goal while reported Man City target Lucas Paqueta is in the midfield.

Neto captains the Cherries as Andoni Iraola looks over his first match as a Premier League manager.

West Ham United injuries

QUESTIONABLE: Lucas Paqueta (undisclosed)

Bournemouth injuries

OUT: Marcus Tavernier (undisclosed), Ryan Fredericks (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Dominic Solanke (undisclosed), Lloyd Smith (undisclosed), Adam Smith (undisclosed), Ryan Christie (undisclosed)