By Jonathan Nagioff (@jonathannagioff)
Javier Hernandez’ goal 17 minutes from time denied AFC Bournemouth all three points, as the spoils were shared on a blustery, but entertaining afternoon at the London Stadium.
Ryan Fraser gave the Cherries the lead on 71 minutes, smashing in past Adrian after Junior Stanislas had provided a neat pass through, but the lead lasted just two minutes, with former Manchester United striker Hernandez on hand to level the scoreline.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe made nine changes from the side which were humiliated on Wednesday night against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup third round replay, losing 3-0 with only defenders Steve Cook and Charlie Daniels keeping their places in the side.
However, it was the home side who made the brighter start, with Aaron Cresswell trying a speculative effort from 25 yards out which drifted just wide of Asmir Begovic’s far post.
The Hammers, who have been rejuvenated since the arrival of David Moyes as manager, continued to pile on the pressure, with Begovic again called into action to tip Marko Arnautovic’s effort just over after a telling cross from Pablo Zabaleta.
Eddie Howe’s side, who deservedly put Arsenal to the sword last week, responded with a chance of their own after a difficult first half hour, with Lewis Cook curling an effort just wide of goal after a brilliantly worked corner.
Callum Wilson was the painted as the pantomime villain and the home support had not lost memory of the 3-3 draw on Boxing Day, in which Wilson’s contentious goal was given after referee Bobby Madley had initially disallowed it for offside.
But the Englishman, who scored the equaliser against Arsenal last Sunday was provided with little service as the lone man up front.
West Ham, who have only lost once since the start of December had the best chances of the first half but with little to cheer about as the half time whistle blew.
The Hammers started the second period well and were appealing for a penalty just after the restart, with the ball appearing to strike the fist of Nathan Ake but referee Martin Atkinson waved away the claim.
Manuel Lanzini was starting to cause the away side some problems, but Begovic was again the Bournemouth saviour; managing to get a crucial touch onto Zabaleta’s cross to take it away from midfielder’s path.
Arnautovic was proving to be the most potent threat up front for the Hammers and should have opened the scoring after being played through on goal, but Austrian forward could not sort his feet out, allowing Steve Cook to clear his lines.
Things got worse for Moyes, as Lanzini limped off down the tunnel, with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and was replaced by Hernandez.
With just less than 20 minutes remaining, Bournemouth were ahead, albeit against the run of play.
Junior Stanislas, who was brought on for Jordan Ibe slid the ball into the path of Fraser, who raced past Zabaleta and completed the run with a finish past Adrian at his near post.
But, the Cherries will be rueing what might have been as West Ham deservedly levelled minutes later.
Hernandez combined with Arnautovic whose effort was parried by Begovic, but the Bosnian goalkeeper had not done enough with the Mexican forward able to smash the ball home.
Eddie Howe threw on Joshua King as Bournemouth looked to regain their lead in the final 10 minutes.
And the South Coast side looked to snatch it at the end, with Stanislas breaking away deep into injury time to find Adam Smith, but the Hammers defence stood firm, as the full time whistle blew.
The result leaves Bournemouth just a point and place behind West Ham in 12th, four points above the relegation zone on 25 points.
The Cherries remain six games unbeaten in the Premier League and have a break before facing Chelsea in 11 days time.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth)
West Ham United: Adrian, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Zabaleta, Kouyate, Obiang, Noble, Masuaku, Lanzini, Arnautovic
Substitutes: Hart, Byram, Martinez, Hernandez, Burke, Cullen, Rice
AFC Bournemouth: Begovic, Francis, S.Cook, Ake, Daniels, A. Smith, L. Cook, Gosling, Ibe, Fraser, Wilson
Substitutes: Boruc, Surman, Stanislas, King, Mousset, Simpson, Taylor
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