West Ham United boss has to settle for point at Bournemouth

Lucas Paquetá’s fortuitous 87th-minute penalty had looked all set to secure back-to-back wins for the Hammers before AFC Bournemouth rescued a point as an enthralling end-to-end encounter entered stoppage time.

“It’s very frustrating when you lose two points so close to the end,” grimaced Julen Lopetegui after substitute Enes Ünal fired home a spectacular free-kick during a frantic finale.

“It was a very demanding match for two teams who showed a lot of commitment. Bournemouth can damage you but we handled things very well and I’m pleased with how we played against them.

“We showed a good mentality. We pressed hard and were very brave.”

Compatriot Andoni Iraola had been hoping a Cherries victory would send his in-form side leapfrogging over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City into fifth spot.

But despite unleashing no fewer than 29 attempts towards Łukasz Fabiański in the Hammers goal, the hosts had found themselves continually thwarted by the 39-year-old Polish stopper, as they ended up settling for a 1-1 draw.

“I am not surprised that Łukasz is still making good saves because I see him every day in training," added Lopetegui, who was also a shot-stopper during his playing career.

“He works very hard and, while we are very happy with the way in which Łukasz is playing, we trust both of our goalkeepers. It is always a very competitive position and – if called upon - Alphonse Areola also knows that he has to be ready for us, too.”

Certainly, Fabiański’s heroics had looked set to ensure this battle of the Basque-country coaches ended in a South Coast stalemate but with just three minutes of normal time remaining, referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to his pitchside monitor after Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s right-wing cross flicked the fingers of substitute Tyler Adams.

And after the official pointed to the spot, it was left to Paquetá to calmly slot the consequent penalty past Kepa Arrizabalaga before sprinting to the touchline and embracing his under-pressure boss in a show of unity.

“That was the answer to anybody who questioned the commitment of Lucas Paquetá tonight,” contended Lopetegui.

“It showed that he is 100 per cent with us and like everyone else he is now looking forward to our next challenge and our next game. We all win together, we lose together and we draw together."

Sadly for the Brazilian and the Hammers there was to be a cruel twist in the tale when recently-arrived substitute Ünal finally beat Fabiański with his long-range, 90th-minute free-kick.

“It was a pity because we came very close to achieving all three points but Unal scored a fantastic equaliser,” added Lopetegui, whose team host Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on Saturday (3pm) before a Boxing Day trip to Southampton.

“After beating Wolves and drawing with Bournemouth we must now keep our mentality and stay competitive for the next game,” he said.