David Moyes’ side entered the game 17th in the table against bournemouth, but it was a position not reflective of performances, with injuries the key disruptor to their heightened pre-season ambition.
Jarrod Bowen’s corner was eventually glanced in by Zouma following Tomas Soucek’s header back across goal but it was a perceived handball from Thilo Kehrer in the build-up which caused dismay among the Bournemouth players.
Close to the conclusion of the game, Bournemouth full back Jordan Zemura was treated less kindly. Sliding in to block a Vladimir Coufal cross his hands were high, and when referee David Coote went to his pitchside screen a penalty award was inevitable.
Said Benrahma hammered past Mark Travers, rather cruelly on a night when Bournemouth lost their first choice goalkeeper and main goal threat to injury.
Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil said afterwards: “There was a foul in the build-up [to the first goal] and it’s a blatant handball, his hands move towards the ball and change the flight of it. I’m not surprised because it’s getting ridiculous. We’ve had 10 VAR checks since I took charge and not one has gone our way.
“The first goal cannot stand. It’s impossible for me that it’s a goal.
“His arm moves towards the ball and it impacted where the ball was going. I can’t understand how that would be given as his hand is in an unnatural position as it moved towards the ball. I also think there was a foul in the build-up to it as well which was more subtle”.
“I spoke to the Premier League about the Jefferson Lerma foul on Aleksandar Mitrovic against Fulham and the information I received was that Lerma impeded Mitrovic without looking at the ball. If you watch Flynn Downes, he impedes Marcos Senesi by putting his arm over him while looking in the complete opposite direction of the ball.
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“With the handball, I can’t even believe we have to discuss it. It’s handball 100 times out of 100. I’m really surprised.”
The result means Bournemouth drop to 14th position as the Hammers leapfrog them on their way up to 10th place.
