sortiwa
A single point was not nearly enough for Bournemouth. The wear and tear on a talented but brittle squad is enveloping European ambitions. With them winless in six Premier League matches, Champions League horizons have lowered to outside hopes of the Europa League now dropping down to the Conference League as an outside chance if form does not improve. In east London they almost fell victim to dozing opponents.
Graham Potter had lately suggested that the West Ham players he inherited in January are now playing for their futures. Relegation has been averted but the Hammers are in danger of finishing their joint lowest since relegation in 2010-11.
A decisive summer awaits. Potter has a more ruthless, sharper edge than his public persona might suggest. A dreadful first half was followed by a marked improvement in which changes of personnel and tactics brought about a revival. A crashing header from the forgotten summer signing Niclas Füllkrug lifted a cat-napping London Stadium, attentions switched away by the Grand National, and when Jarrod Bowen scored his own equally good header, Bournemouth appeared sunk only for Evanilson’s poached second to rescue a draw of little practical use to the visitors.
“We have to value the point, playing away, but we are not very happy with a point,” said Andoni Iraola. “It was not what we wanted.”
Whether Lucas Paquetá is part of Potter’s future plans depends on the verdict of an independent Football Association panel on four counts of spot-fixing. The Brazilian is playing under a shadow that either lifts or descends in the coming days. If this was farewell, he signed off with a forgettable performance.
Potter said of his team’s overall showing: “The good, the bad and the ugly. It’s a tough situation for everybody. We need to acknowledge that we are not where we want to be.”
With Füllkrug and Evan Ferguson on the bench, Bowen began centrally. The club captain had not scored or assisted at home for five games; his goal came once he was restored to his usual place on the right.
“It’s really frustrating. It’s a point but it feels like a loss,” said Bowen, far more annoyed than his manager. “I’m focused on trying to score and trying to help the team. It’s been a really difficult and disappointing season. Every week I focus on what I can do and try not to listen to the noise.”
Not that there was much noise at a becalmed London Stadium. Tomas Soucek had initially played close to Bowen, in what time-honoured Hammers may recognise as the Teddy Sheringham role, though the Czech came far closer to scoring at the wrong end when the ball bounced from his midriff.
That was saved by Alphonse Areola, less convincing when palming Antoine Semenyo’s effort into Evanilson’s path for the opener, the Brazilian’s fifth in six. The video assistant referee briefly intervened but Evanilson was level with Maximilian Kilman. “A bit cheap,” said Potter, lamenting the defending. Bournemouth had upped a gear against opponents who appeared to be running through holiday brochures in their mind’s eye.
After swapping Emerson for Ollie Scarles at the break, Potter waited 10 minutes to throw on Füllkrug and Carlos Soler, the Soucek experiment abandoned. From James Ward-Prowse’s corner, Füllkrug powered in his first London Stadium goal, the type of header that made his reputation. “We should have defended much better,” said Iraola. “We know the threat [Füllkrug] is.”
after newsletter promotion
“I need to remain patient with him,” said Potter. “You could see some nice touches, some link-up play. If we can get him fit and firing he can be a success here.”
Potter is an adept in-game manager, often far more acute in amending mistakes in his starting XI than his initial selections. Those changes paid quick dividends. Coming in from the right, Bowen scored a goal Füllkrug would be proud of.
Quick Guide
How do I sign up for sport breaking news alerts?
Show
- Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for ‘The Guardian’.
- If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.
- In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.
- Turn on sport notifications.
It was Bournemouth’s turn to wake from their torpor and Evanilson soon tapped in Dean Huijsen’s towering header. “He is in great form,” Iraola said of his striker. “The time he has been out has given us energy to finish the season strong.”
The chase for a winner oscillated from end to end but a summer of change and disappointment is beckoning both teams. When the final whistle came, a number of Bournemouth players sank, exhausted to the turf. How much more can they give?
Source link