West Ham and Bournemouth played out a 1-1 draw on Monday night but something just as interesting happened off the pitch.
An end to end game saw Lucas Paqueta and Enes Unal score three minutes apart in the closing stages of a 1-1 draw between West Ham and the Cherries.
It was an entertaining game but Julen Lopetegui had plenty of luck again as Bournemouth peppered West Ham’s goal before they were awarded a rather fortunate penalty.
A draw was probably a fair result in the end.
It makes it four points from two games for West Ham, keeping Lopetegui in the job for a while longer at least.
It’s been a difficult week for the Hammers off the pitch.
Michail Antonio’s season is over – and possibly his career – after a horrific car crash.
West Ham then lost young Academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs to cancer.
The football world has rallied around the Hammers in the wake of both dark days.
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That included messages from Monday night’s opponents Bournemouth.
West Ham fans recognised their stricken striker during the game.
The away following chanted Antonio at the Vitality.
Michail Antonio of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and West Ham United FC at St James' Park on November...
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Bournemouth responded to chant from West Ham fans
And Bournemouth responded to the chant from West Ham fans with a mid-game social post.
Antonio has suffered a fractured thigh bone.
The femur is the longest, heaviest and strongest bone in the body. So to fracture it tells you everything about the crash Antonio was lucky to escape from.
It also means a long road to recovery lay ahead.
As the away end belted out the chant for Antonio, Bournemouth fans responded and so too did the club’s media team with a post on X.
“The West Ham fans chant “Antoniooo” in the ninth minute,” Bournemouth posted on the club’s official account.
“And there are claps of appreciation all around the ground.
“Sending our best wishes to you, Michail.”
The West Ham fans chant "Antoniooo" in the ninth minute.
And there are claps of appreciation all around the ground 👏
Sending our best wishes to you, Michail 🙏
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 16, 2024
View Tweet
What a touch of class from the Cherries.
There are plenty of negative things written about football and fans.
So things like this need to be highlighted with the same energy.
It has been heartwarming to see the response from across football to Antonio’s crash.
The great and good of the game have sent some lovely messages to West Ham and the striker.
Even arch rivals Millwall and Spurs sent supportive messages to the Hammers.
Antonio well-wishers also included former captain Declan Rice and a host of big names from across the Premier League and beyond.
AFC Bournemouth fans celebrate during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United FC at Vitality Stadium on December 16, 2...
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Classy gesture from Cherries
The main thing for Antonio now is getting back to being able to walk comfortably and function normally again.
As a father to four children, nothing else beyond that matters.
If he plays football again then it will be one almighty bonus.
The fact the West Ham hero is still around to tell the tale is a miracle in itself according to manager Lopetegui.
What the situation does mean is that the Hammers will be looking to sign a new striker in January.
West Ham were already set to go into the market for a new forward.
Especially as Danny Ings is out of contract in the summer and Niclas Fullkrug is reported to be unsettled in England.
Fullkrug came on against Bournemouth and should have scored.
But his lack of pace and mobility was evident.
So West Ham must go out and sign a striker who has those attributes.
The Irons have been linked with Evan Ferguson, Igor Jesus, Randal Kolo Muani and an ambitious move for Marcus Rashford.
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