Callum Wilson shows his worth as Bournemouth see off toothless West Ham 

Callum Wilson celebrates scoring for Bournemouth
Callum Wilson has been linked with a move to West Ham Credit: Getty images

Callum Wilson is expected to figure high on West Ham United’s list of potential replacements for Marko Arnautovic should the Austria international move to China this month. His second-half goal, an outstanding strike from 20 yards that set up a much-needed win for Bournemouth, showed just why.

Joshua King added a second to confirm victory in added time but it was Wilson’s 54th-minute goal that proved decisive as Eddie Howe’s side registered only their third league win since the end of October. Manuel Pellegrini, meanwhile, was given a clear reminder of the importance of resolving Arnautovic’s future sooner rather than later.

Pellegrini confirmed Arnautovic was missing from the Vitality Stadium because the player’s focus was elsewhere after the London club rejected an offer of about £30 million from a Chinese club – believed to be Shanghai SIPG – for the forward, who has indicated he wants to leave.

“The reason is because as a manager you must choose the players that work better during the week. Marko has his head on another issue so I thought it was not a good idea for him to play today,” Pellegrini said. “I don’t think we need to continue talking about players that are not in the squad in this moment. We couldn’t win and if Marko Arnautovic didn’t play, we have another player that must do it.” Asked when he thought Arnautovic would be ready to play, Pellegrini, who said Lucas Perez was also missing because he had failed to impress in training this week, added: “I don’t know.”

Without Arnautovic, who may yet be allowed to leave if the club receive a bigger offer, West Ham lacked bite up front and it did not help that Andy Carroll, deputising for the Austrian, missed a glaring chance.

Callum Wilson scores for Bournemouth
Callum Wilson opens the scoring for Bournemouth Credit: Getty images

By contrast, Wilson, who has also attracted the attention of Chelsea and was making his first appearance since a hamstring injury at the start of the month, showed himself to be the most dangerous player on the pitch before he went off with a knee injury midway through the second half. His goal gave the home side the edge at a time when the game was evenly balanced and Howe admitted to feelings of relief. “We got a bit of luck when Andy Carroll missed a good opportunity and after that it was another dogged victory,” he said. “During the run we have had, those sort of chances have been going in, but this one didn’t.”

Howe’s response to having seen his side concede 14 goals in their previous four Premier League games included Artur Boruc ahead of Asmir Begovic for the goalkeeper’s first league appearance since May 2017.

Pellegrini’s side quickly found themselves on the back foot and were fortunate not to fall behind when Nathan Ake headed home from Ryan Fraser’s cross, only for the effort to be ruled out because Wilson was offside.

West Ham United's Mark Noble appears dejected after Bournemouth's Callum Wilson scores his side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at The Vitality Stadium
West Ham were brought crashing back down to earth after their win over Arsenal Credit: PA

A goal then would have injected life into a game that drifted towards half-time. The second half was a different matter, with both sides quickly adopting a more positive approach that led to chances at both ends. Lukasz Fabianski, the West Ham keeper, saved well from Steve Cook immediately before Carroll’s extraordinary miss. The forward did well to head Mark Noble’s pass towards Michail Antonio but when his team-mate scuffed a close-range chance, Carroll shot over from just two yards.

Carroll looked stunned at his failure to hit the target and his pain became more acute five minutes later when Wilson put the home side ahead after Fraser had started a counter-attack down the left from deep inside his own half. The Scotland international’s pass inside towards Wilson was deflected off Angelo Ogbonna, sitting up nicely for the forward to strike the bouncing ball past Fabianski from 20 yards.

West Ham pressed for the equaliser but they were unable to find a way through and King wrapped up the win after another counter-attack.

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