Chicharito strikes to maintain Hammers' unbeaten run

Chicharito celebrates

A finish from Chicharito – just 64 seconds after AFC Bournemouth had scored – secured West Ham United a share of the points in a 1-1 draw with the Cherries.

The effort from the Mexican striker came less than ten minutes after his introduction to the game, with the forward combining well with Marko Arnautovic to score his fifth goal of the season.

Just a minute earlier the away side had taken the lead, despite West Ham enjoying the best chances of the game, as Ryan Fraser bulleted Bournemouth ahead.

But Chicharito’s equalising effort secured a point for the Hammers and extended West Ham’s unbeaten run to seven games.

West Ham began the game brightly, with David Moyes’s side showing a flair to their passing. A long-ranged effort from Aaron Cresswell was almost flicked towards goal by Manuel Lanzini, but the No10 couldn’t quite connect with the shot.

Mark Noble also came close to opening the scoring when, just ten minutes into the game, the captain attempted a spectacular volley from the edge of the box, which went just over the cross-bar.

Pablo Zabaleta then played a terrific ball into the penalty area. Arnautovic got a touch and, if not for a late hand from Asmir Begovic, the effort would have found the net.

Bournemouth’s opportunities on goal were limited in the first period but a short corner routine almost caught West Ham out. The ball was played to Lewis Cook, but his curling effort went just wide of the far post.

The second half was an open contest and Lanzini continued to impress with the Argentinian latching onto a clever ball from Cresswell, before firing over the bar after some great skill a couple of minutes later.

Arnautovic and Cheikhou Kouyate linked amazingly to fashion an opening on the hour but West Ham’s No7 couldn’t get the ball from under his feet.

On 71 minutes, despite their lack of chances, the away side took the lead. Ryan Fraser was found by former Hammer Junior Stanislas, and the winger fired in a powerful shot at the near post.

It took the Irons just 64 seconds to equalise though! Chicharito – on as a substitute for Lanzini – headed the ball into Arnautovic, who set the Mexican up to tap home from close range just eight minutes after entering the fray.

West Ham United: Adrian; Zabaleta, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell (Byram 90’), Masuaku; Obiang, Kouyate (Rice 90’), Noble; Lanzini (Chicharito 64’), Arnautovic

Subs not used: Hart, Burke, Cullen, Martinez

Goals: Chicharito 73’

AFC Bournemouth: Begovic; Francis (c), S Cook, Ake, Daniels; Fraser (King 85;), Gosling, Smith, L Cook, Ibe (Stanislas 62’); Wilson

Subs not used: Boruc, Surman, Mousset, Simpson, Frazer Taylor

Goals: Fraser 72’