AFC Bournemouth were unable to make their chances count as they fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat to West Ham United in the final game of their Premier League Summer Series campaign.
Goals from Nicolas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen consigned Bournemouth to their second straight defeat in the pre-season tournament hosted in the United States, despite the Cherries dominating the better part of the proceedings.
Fullkrug opened the scoring against the run of play in the first-half when he was teed up by Bowen inside the six-yard box before the latter struck in the second half when summer signing Malick Diouf produced a fantastic cross for the England international to guide past substitute goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
Meanwhile, the Cherries hit the woodwork three times in the match and failed to convert their dominant first-half performance into goals, with Evanilson particularly ruing his missed chances.
The Brazilian, who joined from FC Porto for €37 million at the start of the 2024/25 season, had a glorious chance to put his side ahead inside the opening eight minutes, with a pass across the box from Marcus Tavernier having found Evanilson with the goal at his mercy, but the striker was only able to strike the post from six yards out.
Evanilson also had another chance later in the first-half when Illya Zabarnyi’s header against the bar, fell back to the former FC Porto man, but his header was weak and was comfortably saved by Alphonse Areola.
Andoni Iraola’s side were soon left to rue their missed chances as West Ham’s first real attack was converted as the impressive Diouf whipped a dangerous ball into Bowen, whose blocked shot fell back to the England international to tee up Fullkrug, who finished into an empty net from six yards out.
And in the 68th minute, West Ham once again punished Bournemouth’s lack of quality finishing as Diouf led a Hammers counterattack before whipping a superb low ball into the box for Bowen to tuck away to double his side’s lead.
The defeat marks a disappointing end to Bournemouth’s Summer Series campaign, and with their opening day clash of the 2025/26 Premier League season versus Liverpool just 12 days away, Iraola will have a lot to ponder as his side look to focus their attention to another demanding league season.
Written by Riley Taylor
INMR FOOTBALL 
Leave a comment