West Ham squandered a golden opportunity to pile pressure on their relegation rivals this evening, managing only a goalless stalemate against Bournemouth at the London Stadium.
The Hammers, languishing in eighteenth position, could have drawn level on points with Nottingham Forest had they secured all three points.
Instead, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side remain two points adrift of safety heading into a pivotal weekend.
A victory would also have brought them within touching distance of Tottenham, who sit four points clear.
West Ham had a number of chances but could not convert any
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Forest travel to Anfield tomorrow to face Liverpool, meaning West Ham must now watch anxiously as their fate rests partly in others’ hands.
Despite their territorial superiority, the hosts proved remarkably wasteful in front of goal.
West Ham registered twenty attempts throughout the contest, accumulating an expected goals figure of 2.82 – statistics that ordinarily would yield at least one breakthrough.
Yet remarkably, merely three of those efforts troubled Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
The Serbian stopper proved the difference, producing a vital intervention late in proceedings to thwart substitute Callum Wilson’s toe-poked attempt from close quarters.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side had a chance to put pressure on their relegation rivals
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Wilson, who famously netted a hat-trick against the Hammers at the Boleyn Ground back in August 2015 whilst wearing Bournemouth colours, came agonisingly close to haunting his former employers.
The match’s most exhilarating moment arrived courtesy of teenage Brazilian sensation Rayan, who embarked on a breathtaking solo run from deep within his own territory.
The nineteen-year-old glided past three defenders before unleashing a fierce, curling strike that cannoned off the outside of the far post.
Crysencio Summerville proved West Ham’s most threatening performer throughout, his pace and unpredictability tormenting the Bournemouth defence consistently.
The Dutch winger, watched by Netherlands assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, saw a late deflected effort land on the roof of the net.
Taty Castellanos attempted an audacious overhead kick that drifted wide, before captain Bowen blazed over from close range in added time.
Both clubs arrived at this fixture in impressive form, with only Chelsea and Manchester United having accumulated more points across their previous five league outings.
Bournemouth’s Adrien Truffert was awarded the man of the match prize
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The Cherries departed east London having extended their unbeaten sequence to seven Premier League matches, climbing above Everton into eighth position.
This encounter marked the seventh consecutive draw between these two sides – a peculiar statistic that neither manager will find particularly satisfying.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola watched proceedings from the stands owing to a touchline suspension, cutting a frustrated figure as he furiously scribbled notes.
All eyes now turn to Anfield, where Forest’s result against Liverpool could reshape the relegation picture entirely.
