West Ham United ended their Premier League Summer Series with a win over **Andoni Iraola**’s Bournemouth side.
For much of the game, Bournemouth were arguably the better side and managed to hit the woodwork three times during the 90 minutes.
A goal each half by the Hammers consigned the Cherries to defeat, one by Niclas Füllkrug and Jarrod Bowen, with Bowen also setting up the first.
Try all they like, Bournemouth just could not put the ball in the back of the net despite seeing much of the ball and on another day, it may have been a very different result.
In terms of the Summer Series, it means Manchester United just have to avoid defeat to win the pre-season tournament.
Story of the match
Bournemouth fans hopeful of seeing some faces back from injury for this fixture would be left disappointed as key players Justin Kluivert, Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie, and Luis Sinisterra all remained out.
Striker Enes Ünal also missed the friendly, as his recovery from injury progressed ahead of the new season, with a focus on getting back up to fitness.
Some good news saw Tyler Adams wear red and black again after his time away on international duty, a welcome return in the middle of the park.
As for the Hammers, their squad news was positive coming into the final Premier League Summer Series fixture.
Midfielder Lucas Paquetá was cleared earlier in the week of match fixing charges brought by the FA, offering a welcome boost for the club.
Only **Crysencio Summerville**was ruled out for West Ham United through injury, with the squad in good health before the start of the season.
The first ten minutes saw the Cherries have much of the possession with a half chance for David Brooks within five minutes, after a bombing run by Adrien Truffert.
But Bournemouth came even closer just moments later as Brazilian striker Evanilson hit the post from point blank range connecting on a low Marcus Tavernier cross, where it seemed easier to score than miss.
Through pushing the two wing backs higher, **West Ham**started to grow into the game, seeing the ball more but struggling to carve out chances.
West Ham made the breakthrough with a goal by Niclas Füllkrug,, set up by Jarrod Bowen tapping a deep cross for the German to finish from close range with their first shot of the game on 24 minutes.
Bournemouth almost equalised immediately after some lax defending saw Illia Zabarnyi smash a header against the crossbar from six yards out, only for Evanilson's effort on the rebound to be saved by the West Ham ‘keeper.
The Cherries played out the first half very much like how they started it with plenty of the ball and clever attacking moves, and would certainly feel aggrieved ending the half a goal down.
The second half
With a few changes for Bournemouth, they started the second half how they finished the first, playing in the West Ham half making their opposition numbers work hard to keep them out.
But they had a fantastic opportunity to make it two, stealing the ball off of Tyler Adams to break three-on-two, only for the Hammers' front three to completely mess up the chance and spur it wide by Bowen.
For the third time in the game, Bournemouth hit the woodwork in a freak moment where Evanilson blocked the clearance by Alphonse Areola, smacking it against the post.
Against the run of play, West Ham scored a second through Bowen on 67 minutes, getting on the end of a great cross by left back El Hadji Diouf.
A flurry of late chances for Bournemouth almost saw them bag a consolation goal but it was not to be for the Cherries, who despite plenty of chances and possession could not make it count.
With a goal and an assist, it is hard not to give the Man of the Match award to the England midfielder.
West Ham lacked a lot of attacking threat throughout the game but were able to take their few chances with Bowen on the pitch.
The attacker did well to connect on both crosses for the goals and the Hammers can thank him for their pre-season win over Bournemouth.