Late Drama Unfolds: Hammers’ Saviour Strikes in Fading Light to Send Cherries Packing

West Ham Edges Bournemouth in Carabao Cup Thriller

Andoni Iraola, the Bournemouth manager, expressed his frustration after his team was eliminated from the Carabao Cup due to a controversial handball decision. West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen scored a late winner, but replays showed that the ball hit his elbow before entering the net. With VAR not available at this stage of the competition, the goal stood, and the Hammers advanced to the third round.

Iraola was furious, stating, “You think it’s impossible that something else happens after the week we’ve had, but it has happened again. It’s even more clear, no? I don’t know what to say. It’s obvious that we are not making these mistakes, but we are paying the consequences. This is very, very obvious.”

The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances in the first half. The breakthrough finally came in the 88th minute when Bowen’s shot deflected off his elbow and into the net.

Bournemouth had its share of opportunities, particularly in the second half, but was unable to capitalize. Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier both hit the woodwork, and the visitors were left to rue their missed chances.

West Ham’s Julen Lopetegui celebrated his side’s narrow victory, which marked their progression to the next round of the competition. The Hammers will be relieved to have escaped with a win, but the controversy surrounding the goal will undoubtedly be a talking point in the coming days.

Jarrod Bowen scored a late winner as West Ham beat Bournemouth 1-0 in the Carabao Cup

Bowen is congratulated by his team-mates after his goal helped West Ham to progress

Bowen's late intervention at means the Hammers are through to the Carabao Cup third round

MATCH FACTS

West Ham: Fabianski, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell, Alvarez, Bowen, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Summerville, Fullkrug

Bournemouth: Neto, Smith, Huijsen, Senesi, Hill, Scott, Christie, Ouattara, Tavernier, Sinisterra, Jebbison

Edson Alvarez of West Ham attempts to close down Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui saw his side progress to the Carabao Cup third round

Forward Niclas Fullkrug, who joined West Ham this summer, goes for goal v Bournemouth

Bournemouth's Dango Ouattara attempt to make an impact as Aaron Wan-Bissaka pursues him