West Ham United 0-0 AFC Bournemouth was a story of missed chances, and no moment epitomised the occasion more than the shot Jarrod Bowen blazed over deep into stoppage time.
For a side who have lost so many points in the 90th minute and beyond – Benjamin Sesko ‘robbed’ the Hammers with almost the lack kick in their previous Premier League outing – this would have provided a welcome respite.
Finally, the late drama going in their favour.
So close yet so far… 😮💨
What did you make of the stalemate with Bournemouth?
It was not to be, though. West Ham United racked up 20 shots and recorded an XG of 3.15 but somehow failed to find a way past Djordje Petrovic in the Bournemouth goal.
Axel Disasi rued a ‘great save’ from his former Chelsea teammate. Taty Castellanos walloped a stunning overhead kick wide of target.
Petrovic denied substitute Callum Wilson from point blank range, and Crysencio Summerville narrowly missed the chance to make it seven goals in eight games when an inventive one-two broke down in the penalty area.
Speaking of a certain flying Dutchman – Hammers News felt Summerville was West Ham’s standout performer despite the eventual stalemate – former Upton Park favourite Bobby Zamora wonders if he made a mistake trying to set up Bowen at the death.
- Sign up for free here to give us your view!
Bobby Zamora wishes Crysencio Summerville had made a different decision in West Ham United draw
As he hared down on the Bournemouth goal, to his side, El Hadji Malick Diouf was thundering forwards like a runaway train.
But not for the first time – and he is often guilty of this – Summerville just kept charging on, ignoring Diouf and instead rolling the ball towards Bowen even though the captain was clearly the more heavily shackled of the two; a flock of Bournemouth defenders drifting towards the left-hand side of their penalty area.
“They had some really good chances, it’s disappointing not to put those away. But it’s another point; another point closer to staying in the Premier League,” Zamora says.
“For me, to be honest, I thought that Summerville possibly should have played it off to the left, but Jarrod always wants to get on the back post, always wants to score a goal, and he’s been unfortunate with that.
“To be fair, West Ham had so many chances in the second-half. Good chances, as well. They’ve been very, very positive and will be gutted – absolutely gutted – that they haven’t come away with three points.”
Zamora highlights the benefits of Nuno playing Callum Wilson
Nuno felt there was no need to re-introduce Callum Wilson to the starting XI, despite being without Pablo Felipe due to injury. A few weeks after his late minute winner away to Tottenham, the evergreen goal poacher nearly snaffled another; Petrovic making a brilliant reaction save as Wilson pounced on a trademark Diouf cross.
“Callum Wilson was probably too far away from where he wanted to be [for that chance],” explains Zamora, who scored 40 goals for the Hammers between 2004 and 2008.
What to do with Wilson? ⚒️
Start him? Or keep him as an impact sub?
“He’s a little bit too far past the front post. If he’s another few yards [across], there’s a chance he gets a little bit more direction and puts it in the bottom corner. But he had that spark coming on. Callum came on and made a difference for sure.
“When you put two up front, you’re definitely going to keep the centre-halves occupied. Having two centre-forwards up there makes it hard for them, and it’s refreshing to see.
“[Castellanos’ ambitious overhead kick was] definitely not something I could do, for sure! Another day that flies in and everyone’s shocked, but fair play to him for trying that.
“I do see this season going down to the last day, and this will be an important point. The way I see it, it’s another point on the board. For me, it’s a positive. The results recently have been great, and the performance today was great.
“There are so many points to go for, and so many twists and turns ahead. So, for me, it’s a positive for sure.”
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
