- West Ham open Olympic Stadium tenure with a win
- Antonio’s 85th-minute header proved the difference
- Bournemouth remain winless to start 2016-17
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West Ham United’s new stadium was years — decades, perhaps — in the making for Hammers supporters. They were made to wait an extra 85 minutes for the first eruption of joy inside the new ground, but it was worth the wait to secure a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday.
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The game’s first real chance didn’t arrive until the 40th minute, and it very nearly put West Ham into the lead. Enner Valencia surged through the heart of Bournemouth’s midfield and down the right side of the penalty area, where he uncorked a right-footed shot that forced Artur Boruc to make a diving save at his near post.
Bournemouth’s best chance at scoring came in the 53rd minute, when Joshua King found a bit of space 25 yards from goal. The Norwegian midfielder unleashed a well-hit effort that was always rising and looked destined for the ceiling of the goal, but Adrian produced a fine, diving save and tipped the ball over the crossbar with his outstretched left hand.
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West Ham went extremely close in the 59th minute. Michail Antonio lofted a cross to the far post where Gokhan Tore was waiting, and the Turkish winger a left-footed side-volley that bounced into the ground and just inches wide of Boruc’s left-hand post.
Bournemouth were reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute when Harry Arter was shown a second yellow card for dissent. The Cherries were made to pay, as West Ham made the most of their advantage in the 85th minute. This time it was Tore who provided the cross to the back post, and Antonio who rose above the crowd to head the ball past Boruc and score the first Premier League goal scored inside the new ground.
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With West Ham now in the victory column, Bournemouth are one of eight sides without a victory thus far this season. Up next for the Hammers, it’s a trip to Manchester City on Sunday (11 a.m. ET), while Bournemouth will visit Crystal Palace on Saturday (10 a.m. ET).
