But despite the encouraging showing, there is still much to improve on this weekend as Real Sociedad visit, ahead of the season curtain raiser against Liverpool.
Here’s five things we learned in the 2-0 defeat to the Hammers.
**The Cherries showed good patience but need to be more efficient**
This is something that was an issue last season, too. When facing a team who are happy without the ball, Bournemouth look comfortable in possession but often struggle to threaten the opposition goal.
This was the case on Sunday night – the Cherries dominated the first half but found themselves behind at the break.
They should have been level at the least, if not leading, after Evanilson and Illia Zabarnyi struck the woodwork with presentable chances that they both should have scored, although the Brazilian’s was the better of the two.
_(Image: Richard Crease)_ A balance needs to be found between trying to make something happen and remaining patient.
Too often against the Hammers the Cherries found themselves passing the ball confidently around the midfield and defence, but lacked the incisive pass forward. This was then forced and the ball was lost.
It is something that Bournemouth need to work on, especially as it is not a new problem.
**The press impressed**
Part of what made the first half in particular impressive in Atlanta was the intensity was certainly back into the Cherries press.
A key feature of the side’s success last season, this needs to be firing when the season starts, if they want to get off to a good start.
The final third pressing, led by the energy of Evanilson was good, pushing West Ham deep into their half so that when they had the ball, they were constantly under pressure.
This forced their out-balls to be rushed and often resulted in the Cherries retaining possession.
This was hugely encouraging, and the fact that many of those who may be in line to start at the beginning of the campaign played more than an hour is a good sign for their fitness levels at this stage.
**Has Traore played himself into Andoni Iraola’s plans?**
Hamed Traore has played a large part of the Cherries pre-season.
The Ivorian has gone on two loans in the past two seasons, first to Napoli and then to Auxerre, and was one among a list of previous loanees who were on many people’s lists of players to offload this summer.
_(Image: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth)_ But his performances this pre-season have perhaps swung to encourage both the fans and the club to keep him for the upcoming campaign.
The 25-year-old looks effective as both a 6 and as a 10, providing versatility and cover in midfield when numbers are low in the Cherries squad as Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert have all missed much of pre-season.
Traore seems to have impressed Iraola to earn minutes, too, playing 68 minutes against West Ham, after 65 minutes against Everton and 27 minutes against Manchester United.
So, the Ivorian may well play a part in the Premier League this campaign.
**Centre back remains a concern**
With talks ongoing between the Cherries and PSG over Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen already sold to Madrid and no concrete whisperings over any replacements, there must be action in the transfer market.
This would ideally happen before the weekend’s game against Sociedad, but at the latest should come before the season starts in less than two weeks’ time.
Marcos Senesi looks set to play a key role in the Cherries defence, but he has not filled fans with confidence with his performances so far.
Things do not happen overnight in the transfer window, but questions will have to be asked if no centre back joins the club before the Liverpool game.
_(Image: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth)_ This is in contrast to left back, where the Cherries signed Adrien Truffert before Milos Kerkez had left the club, and Truffert looks an excellent signing who has settled quickly and played well against West Ham.
**Evanilson will be hoping for a goal next weekend**
The Brazilian had a brilliant season in his first with the Cherries last season, but he’ll be looking to kick on this season.
He has been growing into pre-season, and he looked at his most effective against West Ham, but he needs that little bit of confidence in front of goal to take him into the new season.
A guilt-edged chance fell his way at 0-0 against the Hammers, and he struck the post from close range.
The striker hit the woodwork again after closing down West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola in the second half, too.
Evanilson will be encouraged by both chances, that he is getting in the right areas both in attack and staying alive in the press in the final third, but a goal against Real Sociedad would just help him into the start of the season.