The first half of AFC Bournemouth vs West Ham United was all about one man. Callum Wilson, on his return to the Vitality Stadium, proved that the ‘curse of the ex’ is very much alive and well.
In a week in which the veteran striker opened up on his desire to become a Premier League centurion and force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, the returning Callum Wilson took a massive step towards the former while potentially giving his hopes of the latter a slight boost as well.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was wary of Wilson’s predatory instincts pre-match. Rightfully, it turns out.
Because as West Ham look to end a 67-game wait for three successive Premier League wins, Wilson rolled back the years with two highly-impressive first-half strikes.
Though, as the 33-year-old takes his top flight tally to 92, he was not the only West Ham United veteran who proved that rumours of his demise have been greatly exaggerated during the opening 45 minutes at the Vitality Stadium.
Alphonse Areola the shot-stopper. Alphonse Areola the goal-creator now, too.
Alphonse Areola assisted Callum Wilson as West Ham United took the lead at Bournemouth
No West Ham goalkeeper had provided an assist in England’s top flight since Jussi Jaaskelainen in January 2014.
The Fin launched a long ball down the field in a 2-1 New Years’ Day defeat away to Fulham. Jaaskelainen’s punt was controlled and finished off by Mohammed Diame.
Eleven years on, Areola took on the Jaaskelainen role with Wilson channelling Diame.
Of all the goalkeepers to have represented the Hammers in the last decade – from Adrian and Darren Randolph all the way to Lukasz Fabianski and Mads Hermansen – the former Real Madrid, Villarreal and Paris Saint-Germain glovesman is the first to provide a goal contribution.
“[Wilson controls Areola’s pass] extremely well,” Hammers legend Tony Gale said during NBC’s live coverage, on a wild and windy afternoon on the South Coast. “It sits up perfectly.
“I was talking about having more shots with the wind, and this is the perfect example. The goalkeeper [Djordje Petrovic] has lost his angles slightly as he’s ran back. A great drive from Wilson. He takes full advantage, great strike.
“Chest and volley straight away. Great centre-forward play. The keeper should have done better, but full marks for Callum Wilson for getting his shot away.
“When you come back to your old stomping ground, this is exactly what you want.”
Tony Gale hails Wilson as he closes in on Premier League century
Wilson would double his tally 23 minutes later. A fabulous flicked effort into the top corner of Petrovic’s net after some head tennis inside the home team’s penalty area.
Areola then produced a fine reaction stop at his near post to stop Alex Scott halving the deficit on the stroke of half-time.
“[Jarrod] Bowen and [Jean-Clair] Todibo keep it alive and this is brilliant; a little hook volley when you’re this close to goal, you just have to connect to it. The keeper has got no chance,” Gale beamed.
“Pure reactions. A proper goalscoring finish. Callum Wilson, bang on form. Just begs the question: why wasn’t he playing earlier for West Ham?”
Like Wilson, who has now started three successive league matches in Niclas Fullkrug’s injury enforced absence, Areola also started the season on the bench.
As two of West Ham’s elder statesmen are proving week on week, age really is just a number.
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