Late drama as Unal stunner cancels out Paqueta penalty in Bournemouth draw with West Ham

Bournemouth and West Ham shared the spoils in a thrilling 1-1 draw after a stunning late free-kick from Enes Unal cancelled out a Lucas Paqueta penalty which had been converted just moments before.

The result moves The Cherries up to sixth in the league, within two points of Manchester City in fifth, while The Hammers now have a seven-point gap to the relegation zone.

The first half ended goalless but was played at a frantic pace as both sides threatened to take the lead on multiple occasions.

West Ham came closest through captain Jarrod Bowen who clipped the bar with a curling strike.

Bournemouth really should have broken the deadlock as Lukasz Fabianski made a point-blank save to deny Dango Ouattara on the stroke of half-time.

The home side came out of the blocks fast in the second half and came close to breaking the deadlock several times but were repeatedly denied by Fabianski in West Ham’s goal. Despite being on the back foot, it was West Ham who thought they had won it after Tyler Adams was adjudged to have handled the ball following an Aaron Wan-Bissaka cross after an on-field review.

Paqueta tucked away the penalty in style but then Bournemouth produced some more late heroics as Unal converted a pinpoint free-kick from 25 yards.

The home side pushed for a winner into added time but had to settle for a draw which leaves them sixth in the league with a trip to Old Trafford up next, while West Ham stay 14th and will host Brighton at the weekend.

Another late goal from The Cherries showed why Bournemouth have both the quality and attitude to compete at the top of the Premier League table. The point moves Andoni Iraola’s side up to sixth in the league, just two points behind champions Manchester City and three points off Nottingham Forest in fourth.

At the beginning of the season few could have imagined that sentence would be written, yet in a season of surprises it has been. Surely it will give Bournemouth fans hope that their side can continue their fine form and potentially secure a high finish in the Premier League and an adventure into Europe.

In a game in which many attacking players sparkled it was their adversary who stole the show. The veteran Polish goalkeeper showed even at 39 years old he is still capable of performing at the highest level.

Bournemouth had a total of 29 shots, nine on target, and Fabianski repeatedly denied them with some heroic saves. It looked for all the world his hard work had paid off when Paqueta swept home a late penalty but only an inch-perfect free-kick could beat the Pole in goal and that is exactly what Bournemouth got late on.

Despite losing his clean sheet Fabianski and his defence can leave the Vitality with their heads held high.

Bournemouth: Arrizabalaga 5, Smith 6, Zabarnyi 7, Huijsen 6, Kerkez 7, Christie 8, Cook 6, Semenyo 7, Kluivert 7, Outtara 7, Evanilson 5. Subs: Adams 5, Brooks 6, Billing 6, Unal 7

West Ham : Fabianski 9, Coufal 7, Mavropanos 7, Kilman 7, Wan-Bissaka 8, Alvarez 7, Soucek 7, Paqueta 6, Soler 5, Kudus 6, Bowen 7. Subs: Fulkrug 6, Scarles 6, Summerville 5, Casey N/A.

85′ – PENALTY WEST HAM – And right at the death West Ham are awarded a penalty after a Wan-Bissaka cross was met with an outstretched Tyler Adams hand. What a cruel way this would be for Bournemouth to lose.

87′ GOAL! – BOURNEMOUTH 0-1 WEST HAM (PAQUETA) – Paqueta steps up, stutters and then strokes the ball past Kepa. West Ham are on the brink of a fantastic victory now..

90′ – GOAL! – BOURNEMOUTH 1-1 WEST HAM (UNAL) – What a free-kick that is from Unal as he levels for Bournemouth almost immediately. From nearly 30 yards the striker bends one perfectly into the top corner. It was going to take something special to beat Fabianski tonight!