Evanilson’s close-range double helped Bournemouth draw 2-2 at West Ham United as the Cherries continued their pursuit of European football next season.
This was a meeting of two out-of-form sides, both in desperate need of a victory, and although Bournemouth are now winless in six league matches – their longest run in over a year – Andoni Iraola’s team still finished the day just five points behind sixth-placed Newcastle United, albeit having now played a game more than those also chasing a European spot.
Bournemouth’s Evanilson celebrates scoring his second goal at West Ham
After a scrappy opening in the sunshine, the Cherries made the breakthrough seven minutes before half-time with the help of West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who spilled Antoine Semenyo’s low shot straight to Evanilson, who could not miss from five yards out.
The goal was checked by the Video Assistant Referee Jarred Gillett, with the Brazilian just onside as the visitors went in ahead at the break, but Hammers boss Graham Potter then rang the changes and they worked as his side hit back to lead thanks to two brilliant headed goals.
Substitute Niclas Fullkrug scored the first just past the hour mark, rising highest to power home James Ward-Prowse’s corner from the right, before some neat footwork by the returning Mohammed Kudus set up Jarrod Bowen for an equally impressive header into the far corner.
West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen scores his side’s second goal against Bournemouth
The Hammers thought they had done enough for what would have been a much-needed three points, only for Evanilson – unmarked at the far post – to get on the end of Dean Huijsen’s header and earn Bournemouth a share of the spoils after another VAR check for offside against the striker.
In-form Evanilson key to Cherries ending season on a high
Sky Sports’ Rich Morgan at the London Stadium:
If Bournemouth are to have any chance of making a late charge for Europe, then the fit-again Evanilson’s goals will be key to those hopes, as the Brazilian showed at the London Stadium.
Without injured strike-partner Justin Kluivert in the capital, the onus was very much on Evanilson to be the visitors’ attacking spearhead and the striker responded with a well-taken double to earn Iraola’s side a point that keeps them in with a slim chance of European football next season.
Bournemouth’s Evanilson opens the scoring against West Ham
Those two goals means Evanilson has now scored four times in his last four Premier League appearances, having netted just one in his previous 10, with his head coach hoping the forward can stay sharp in front of goal in the closing weeks to get the Cherries back to winning ways and moving up the table.
“Evanilson is in great form, the time he was out with a foot injury means he can finish the season strong, good for us to have him in a good moment,” said Iraola after the match.
What the managers said…
West Ham boss Graham Potter:
“It was a hard-fought, to-and-fro Premier League game. The good, the bad and the ugly. We’re disappointed not to win because we were at home. But they’re a tough opponent to play with their physicality.
“Overall we’re happy with a point. We have to improve. I don’t think we can say we deserved to win.
“Niclas [Fullkrug] has had a significant injury over a period of time so we are still building his minutes up. His impact there was clear, not just the goal but how he helps the team.
“He’s a focal point, he makes things simpler. I need to remain patient with him. You could see some nice touches, some link-up play. If we can get him fit and firing he can be a success here.”
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola:
“We have to value the point, playing away, but we are not very happy with a point.
“There was only one team close to winning and it was Bournemouth.”