Two of the Premier League‘s leading teams proved inseparable as West Ham and Bournemouth concluded their match in a goalless draw at the London Stadium on Saturday.
Prior to this contest, the Hammers had secured three wins and one draw from their last five league outings, while the Cherries had maintained an unbeaten streak in their most recent six top-flight fixtures.
Thus, it was perhaps unsurprising that both squads would divide the points in a match that truly sprang to life in the second half, following a rather dull initial 45 minutes.
This outcome leaves the home team three points adrift of a secure position, whereas the visiting side currently occupies the eighth spot in the league standings.
The Progression of Events
A scramble originating from a corner nearly saw the home side open the scoring within the opening minute.
Moments later, the in-form Crysencio Summerville came close after a superb cross from Taty Castellanos, but the Dutchman’s prodded effort went straight to Djordje Petrovic in the Bournemouth net.
However, following that initial burst of activity, both goalkeepers swiftly became mere observers as neither team managed to create any obvious opportunities before the break.
After the resumption of play, what had been a fairly tepid game then began to intensify.
Initially, Bournemouth’s Rayan bent an attempt onto the outside of the post after an exhilarating dash from his own half, before Castellanos then nearly scored with an acrobatic effort a few minutes later.
With a quarter of an hour left on the clock, substitute Callum Wilson latched onto Malick Diouf’s delivery into the penalty area, but the former Cherries striker’s prod was repelled by Petrovic.
Conversely, Alex Scott saw his low shot from the perimeter of the box securely held by Mads Hermansen before the Danish stopper was again on hand to thwart Junior Kroupi from a comparable distance.
Jarrod Bowen had an opportunity to secure victory late on, but the England international failed to hit the target, and so the points were divided in east London.