Late goals see points distributed on the south coast

Bournemouth substitute Enes Unal hit a free-kick in the last minute to give his side a deserved point at the end of an open and exciting game with West Ham.

Lucas Paqueta’s late penalty looked set to give the Hammers victory but Unal stepped up to foul Lukasz Fabianski in the 25th minute.

Both teams hit the woodwork and shared many chances without finding a way past the goals Kepa and Fabianski – both were excellent.

But when Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross was adjudged by referee Chris Kavanagh to have struck the hand of Bournemouth sub Tyler Adams – after a VAR review – Paqueta kept West Ham in the lead.

The Brazilian ran off to cheer under pressure manager Julen Lopetegui, but moments later a challenge from Konstantinos Mavropanos gave the players a free kick.

Hang it in the louvre 🎨 pic.twitter.com/9SO9wTQiid

– AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 16, 2024

Unal – who replaced Evanilson in the 80th minute – then rounded the wall and headed over.

Bournemouth would have moved up to fifth with a win, but will be affected by key player Antoine Semenyo who will leave in the second half with an apparent injury.

“It’s my distance!”

Carra and Henry analyze Unal’s free-kick 👏 pic.twitter.com/07VbGQszBb

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

Andoni Iraola’s men move above Aston Villa into the top six. West Ham remain in 14th place, having avoided defeat from two consecutive games for only the third time this season.

The Cherries had 29 shots in the game – West Ham had 16 of their own – but repeatedly failed to find the killer in front of goal.

Semenyo and West Ham striker Jarrod Bowen both hit the woodwork in the first half with efforts from the edge of the area as both sides threatened more on the break.

Paqueta never missed when the Hammers thought they had won, but Bournemouth have scored more goals and subs than any other side in the competition and Unal’s surprise was eighth.