CHERRIES succumbed to a harsh 3-1 home defeat at the hands of West Ham, thanks to an outstanding second half performance from Dimitri Payet.
Payet scored an outstanding free-kick and cleverly set up a second after Harry Arter put Cherries in the lead to ensure the visitors came away with all three points.
The first-half was a close encounter, but the Hammers arguably started the game stronger with Michail Antonio going one-on-one with Artur Boruc within the first minute but the big Pole blocked and Mark Noble sent his rebound effort well over.
Antonio then had another chance to give West Ham the lead on nine minutes after Andy Carroll burst down the left and beat Charlie Daniels to cross but the 25-year-old striker shot over from six yards.
Cherries then began to gain momentum after a few half chances, and had the lead before they knew it with Harry Arter’s grounded shot beating Adrian from distance. 1-0 to Cherries on 17 minutes.
Cherries were on top for the rest of the half, and new signing Benik Afobe should of doubled the lead just two minutes later. A looping deep cross from the right met his head but the ten million pound striker couldn’t convert and his effort went over.
Left-back Charlie Daniels also had a good effort to double the lead with his long range thunder-strike forcing a good save from Adrian.
The last chance of the half again came from Afobe, after being played in by Stanislas he tried to go around the West Ham keeper but the ball was snatched from his feet.
Half time: AFC Bournemouth 1 West Ham 0
The Hammers looked a completely different side in the second half after Payet was moved out wide after struggling to cope with Cherries’ three in the middle.
On 66 minutes Payet gave the visitors a well deserved equaliser. His free-kick on the edge of the box looped over Boruc who had no chance.
That goal sent the travelling West Ham faithful into ecstasy, as they encouraged their team to find a winner.
Then just eight minutes later they had it, with Payet again causing problems.
He beat Adam Smith in the bottom right then a clever cross found Enner Valencia in the middle who smashed home a tidy finish from point blank range into the top left.
It was another free-kick which put the nail in the Cherries coffin. This time it was Valencia’s turn to score a nice set-piece to give the visitors a two goal cushion with his effort from the left leaving Boruc with his hands in his pockets.
Cherries then pressed for a goal back, and almost grabbed one in added time through debutant Juan Iturbe who came on as a second half substitute. His curling effort was tipped wide by the impressive Adrian.
Aston Villa’s important win over Crystal Palace doubled up with Newcastle’s last minute equaliser against Manchester United now makes AFC Bournemouth’s showdown with Norwich City on the weekend a must win game.
Full time: AFC Bournemouth 1 West Ham 3
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