Unal last-gasp denies West Ham at Bournemouth - RTHK
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Unal last-gasp denies West Ham at Bournemouth

2024-12-17 HKT 07:38
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  • Bournemouth midfielder Enes Unal celebrates after scoring to draw level. Photo: AFP
    Bournemouth midfielder Enes Unal celebrates after scoring to draw level. Photo: AFP
Bournemouth's Enes Unal provided a dramatic climax to his side's 1-1 draw with West Ham on Monday as the Turkey forward's superb late free-kick cancelled out Lucas Paquetá's penalty.

Paquetá looked to have sealed West Ham's second successive Premier League victory when he converted from the spot with just three minutes left at the Vitality Stadium.

But Unal came to the Cherries' rescue three minutes later with only his second goal this season.

The 27-year-old's moment of magic extended Bournemouth's unbeaten run to four games as they climbed to sixth place.

"Enes scored an amazing goal – he's a specialist. But it's only one point. I'm very disappointed with the penalty," Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said of the decision that went against his team for Tyler Adams' handball.

"It is a play we analysed at a meeting before the season," he added. "The refereeing chiefs said players don't need to defend with hands behind their back in an unnatural position. It didn't affect the direction of the cross – I don't care about the explanation now."

Bournemouth have scored a league-high 10 goals in the final 15 minutes of games this season.

Two of those goals came in a remarkable 2-1 win at Ipswich in their previous game, with Unal also scoring Bournemouth's equaliser on that occasion.

West Ham have gone two games without defeat to ease a little of the pressure on boss Julen Lopetegui.

"We suffered a little bit and overcame this to score, but it was an incredible goal from Unal. It's a pity," Lopetegui said.

"There are positives," he added. "This is the first step to be strong and a better team."

They remain in 14th place and sit seven points clear of the relegation zone. (AFP)

Unal last-gasp denies West Ham at Bournemouth