Bournemouth 3-3 West Ham Utd

  • by Staff Writer
  • Tuesday, 26th December 2017

West Ham were denied all three points by a hugely controversial referee's decision at the Vitality Stadium this afternoon.

Leading 3-2, with the game deep into added-on time, a Nathan Ake effort was initially (correctly) ruled out for hand ball by a linesman - before referee Bobby Madley inexplicably overturned his assistant's decision to deny the Hammers a second successive Premier League away win.

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However West Ham should probably be grateful with the point, following another disjointed performance against a fellow struggler in which United looked more like a collection of individuals that a team - and not for the first time this season.

Once again David Moyes' side got off to a flyer with captain for the day James Collins, reinstalled at the centre of defence, climbing unmarked to head West Ham into the lead from an Aaron Cresswell corner.

The hosts restored parity on the half hour mark through Dan Gosling, taking advantage of some defensive uncertainly by West Ham as they attempted, unsuccessfully, to defend another set piece. Level at the break, it was Bournemouth who struck first in the second half when Nathan Ake swept home a loose ball inside the penalty area.

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Then, with West Ham seemingly heading towards yet another miserable and unwelcome defeat, Cherries 'keeper Asmir Begovic bizarrely slipped whilst in possession, allowing the watchful Marko Arnautovic to pick up the ball and fire into an empty net.

The Austrian was then on hand in the final minute of normal time to score what West Ham and their vocal band of travelling fans felt, with some justification, would be the final - and winning - goal. A deep cross was knocked back across goal where Arnautovic was waiting to poke the ball over the line to make it 3-2.

But with the game in the fourth of six added-on minutes, Bournemouth grabbed a bizarre equaliser as Callum Wilson's effort - which TV replays suggested was both offside and handled - was allowed to stand, despite having initially been chalked off by the referee's assistant.

Despite this, official Madley - who was positioned centrally, some 22 yards from goal - consulted with his assistant before overruling his decision giving Bournemouth a share of the spoils - a decision that left West Ham, including manager David Moyes, seething.

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Madley, who has past history with West Ham and controversial goals was also criticised for failing to dismiss Simon Francis for dangerous play after kicking Cheikhou Kouyate square in the face with a raised foot, leaving the Senegal international requiring lengthy treatment.

The errant official was also accused of failing to spot a deliberate punch by Josh King on Kouyate's fellow team mate Pedro Obiang during the first half that, if seen, would surely have resulted in his instant dismissal.

The point leaves West Ham in 17th spot, just one place above the relegation zone with a fixture against 18th-placed West Bromwich Albion to come next.

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West Ham Utd: Adrian, Zabaleta (Rice 79), Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Masuaku, Obiang (Carroll 60), Kouyate, Ayew (Hernandez 61), Lanzini, Arnautovic.

Subs not used: Hart, Reid, Quina, Sakho.

Goals: Collins (7), Arnautovic (81, 89).

Booked: Zabaleta, Collins, Cresswell, Ogbonna.

AFC Bournemouth: Begovic, Francis, S.Cook, Ake, Smith, Gosling, L.Cook, Ibe, Fraser (Pugh 86), King (Afobe 65), Wilson.

Subs not used: Boruc, Hyndman, Mahoney, Mousset, Simpson.

Goals: Gosling 29, Ake (57), Wilson (90+1).

Booked: Francis, L Cook, Ake.

Attendance: TBC

Referee: Bobby Madley.

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