Second-half goals from Dimitri Payet and Enner Valencia saw West Ham United instigate a 3-1 comeback victory over AFC Bournemouth.

It was the home side who initially took the lead through Harry Arter, and they could have had more, with two excellent chances falling to new singing Benik Afobe.

However, after Nikica Jelavic and Payet had good chances, the Frenchman levelled the scores in the 67th minute. From there, Slaven Bilic’s side pushed for three points and a 10-minute brace from Valencia secured the win.

Brilliant Bournemouth

The visitors could have taken the lead inside the first 60 seconds of the match when Michail Antonio was through on goal, but Artur Boruc was quick off the line to block, whilst Mark Noble hit the rebound over the gaping goal.

However, it was Bournemouth who enjoyed the better start after the Hammers were handed a huge blow when Andy Carroll limped off 15 minutes in - the Cherries taking the lead two minutes later.

Arter had never scored in the top flight but his debut strike was a cracker as he hit a fizzing shot from 25 yards which Adrian managed to get a hand to, but the Spaniard could do nothing to keep it out of the net.

They had two instantaneous opportunities to add a second to their tally too when Adam Smith put in a lovely ball into the area which was met by new boy Afobe, but his debut goal passed him by as his header from four yards went over.

Adrian was called upon seconds later when Charlie Daniels did well to make some space before a curling an effort towards goal, but the keeper did well to block.

Just after the half hour mark Afobe had another great chance to get his first goal when he got on the end of Junior Stanislas’ superb pass, but he left the ball behind as he looked to round Adrian.

Turning the screw

Despite the onslaught, the visitors were still holding out and looking for the equaliser, having two great chances before the break.

The first came in the 37th minute when a counter-attack was instigated by the returning Payet. He slid the ball through to early substitute Jelavic whose cross took a freak deflection, which forced Boruc into a reaction save.

The second then came just before the break after a mistake from Andrew Surman. He gifted the ball to Payet who put the whole defence on the back foot before unleashing a venomous strike which was forced over the bar by Boruc.

Double trouble

West Ham looked a different team as they came out for the second period, and despite looking like they were still struggling to find the equaliser, they would do so in the 67th minute.

Payet, who had been causing trouble all evening, stood over a dangerous looking free-kick from 25 yards and the former Marseille man made no mistake, giving Boruc no chance as he curled the set piece into the top corner.

Dimitri Payet proved the difference for West Ham at Dean Court. | Photo: Andy Hooper
Dimitri Payet proved the difference for West Ham at Dean Court. | Photo: Andy Hooper

Seven minutes later, they took the lead for the first time and it was Payet once again instigating the move as he made space down the right byline before squaring to Valencia, who had a simple tap in from four yards out.

Valencia seals it

The game and three points were sealed six minutes from the end when Valencia got his second and West Ham’s third.

It was brilliant from the two-goal man as he this time stood over a free-kick and somehow managed to send it over the wall and in at Boruc’s near post, which saw the Hammers leapfrog Manchester United into fifth in the Premier League standings.

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.