Late goal does trick for West Ham
Injury-hit West Ham United beat Bournemouth 1-0 to record their first Premier League victory at their new London Stadium thanks to a late header from Michail Antonio yesterday.
The hosts struggled to produce a performance worthy of a venue that hosted the 2012 Olympic Games and had to wait until the 85th minute for a breakthrough when Antonio rose at the far post to head home a beautifully flighted cross from Gokhan Tore.
Slaven Bilic’s side, missing forwards Andre Ayew, Andy Carroll and Dimitri Payet, lacked ideas until Bournemouth’s Harry Arter was sent off in the 78th for a second bookable offence after bringing down Cheikhou Kouyate.
That dismissal opened up the visitors whose resistance was finally broken with their first point of the season in sight. The home victory might have been more convincing but substitute Jonathan Calleri shot wide after being sent free on goal.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough defeated Sunderland 2-1 away thanks to a first-half double from Uruguay striker Cristhian Stuani in the first Premier League meeting between the north-east rivals for almost eight years.
The visitors withstood sustained pressure after the interval when Sunderland hit back through Patrick van Aanholt and then pushed for the winner, but Boro held on to record their first victory since returning to the top flight this season.
‘‘The timing of the second goal was very important,’’ said Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing. ‘‘We defended well throughout the team but are disappointed we conceded.
‘‘Not many players in our team have played much in the Premier League. It was a team effort today.’’
Stuani opened the scoring with a piece of individual brilliance after 12 minutes, firing a longrange shot from outside the area over the head of goalkeeper Vito Mannone.
Then, just before the interval, the 29-year-old rounded off a wellworked team goal after Adam Forshaw combined with Alvaro Negredo to split the home defence open.
Sunderland, who lost central defender John O’shea to injury in the first half, refused to buckle and fully deserved their goal when Van Aanholt struck from inside the area after keeper Brad Guzan could only parry a shot from Duncan Watmore.
But they could not prise Boro open again and David Moyes’s side, who featured all three of their new signings from Manchester United, remain without a point after two games while Middlesbrough have four from their opening matches.
Van Aanholt refused to be downhearted. ‘‘I think the way we played in the second half, (we) should not be scared of anyone,’’ said the Dutchman. ‘‘The season has just started I am very positive we are capable of winning games.’’