West Ham United produced a strong second-half comeback to beat Bournemouth 3-1 at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday.
The home side made a strong start to the contest, enjoying the larger part of possession in the opening 10 minutes.
The early proceedings only got worse for West Ham with striker Andy Carroll going down injured in the 11th minute and was substituted with Nikica Jelavic his replacement.
Shortly after Carroll's departure their task was made harder when Cherries midfielder Harry Arter scored his first goal in the Premier League with a low strike to put them 1-0 up on 17 minutes.
The onslaught continued with new Bournemouth striker Benik Afobe going close with a header that went just over the bar on the half-hour mark before Charlie Daniels rifled a shot forcing a good save from Hammers keeper Adrian.
After riding out the heavy pressure, the Hammers finished the first half well with early substitute Jelavic going close with a deflected shot that was smartly saved by Artur Boruc at the near post. He was soon called into action again when Hammers danger man Dimitri Payet hit a fierce shot that had to be instinctively tipped over the bar to bring the half to a close with the home side a goal to the good.
The second half started slowly with Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie going off injured in the 50th minute to be replaced by new signing Juan Manuel Iturbe, who was one of three Bournemouth debutants alongside Afobe and Lewis Grabban.
The hour-mark then saw Arter go close to doubling his tally for the night but dragged his shot wide at the far post
Eddie Howe's men were made to regret that miss as Payet curled a beautiful free-kick that went in off the underside of the bar to equalise for West Ham in the 67th minute.
In a bid to regain control of the game Bournemouth's Afobe was substituted for Grabban who has recently re-signed from Norwich City.
This hope was quickly subdued with West Ham playmaker Payet turning provider this time with a lovely cross to Enner Valencia who gratefully swept home to put his side 2-1 up with 10 minutes to go with his first goal since February.
The game continued to be turned on its head as Valencia added his second of the game from a stunning curling free-kick that completely evaded Boric in the 84th minute following a foul from midfielder Dan Gosling.
Bournemouth attempted a late rally with Junior Stanislas having a cross deflected off the post giving them a corner that resulted in very little. Iturbe then had a shot that was pushed aside by Spanish keeper Adrian.
That signified the end of a strong second half response from the visitors, resulting in a 3-1 victory for West Ham.
That win moves West Ham up to fifth, where they sit just seven points off the top, while Bournemouth remain 16th, just three points outside the relegations zone.
2015/16 BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE - SEASON SCORES
Bournemouth: 1 (Harry Arter 17')
West Ham United: 3 (Dimitri Payet 67', Enner Valencia 74'/84')
Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth - 11,071
Match report by Robert Herman
