Bournemouth have secured their very first win in the Premier League with a thrilling 4-3 result over West Ham United.
Led by a Callum Wilson hat-trick, the Cherries skipped away to a two-goal lead at Upton Park before the Hammers equalised, but Eddie Howe's men did enough in the second half to land a memorable victory.
Last season's leading scorer Wilson fired home after Simon Francis had pounced on an Aaron Cresswell defensive error to open the scoring in the 11th minute before doubling the lead prior to the half-hour mark when another Cresswell gaffe allowed him to rocket past Darren Randolph.
Mark Noble converted from the penalty spot early in the second half to give the Hammers some hope before Cheikhou Kouyate fired home from close range to tie it up.
Max Gradel then found substitute Marc Pugh who curled home to restore Bournemouth's lead in the 66th minute before Carl Jenkinson was sent off for bringing down the Ivory Coast winger in the area with Wilson stepping up to complete his hat-trick from the spot.
A late goal from Modibo Maiga was merely consolation for West Ham who slumped to a second straight defeat after their shock win over Arsenal on opening weekend which sees them sitting 10th on the table, two spots above Bournemouth who will be rejoicing after landing their very first top flight victory.
MATCH OVERVIEW
West Ham United: 3 (Mark Nole (PEN) 48', Cheikhou Kouyate 53', Modibo Maiga 82')
Crystal Palace: 4 (Callum Wilson 11'/29'/(PEN) 79', Marc Pugh 66')
Upton Park, London - 34,977
TALKING POINTS
- Is Slaven Bilic already under pressure at West Ham?
- Bournemouth finally hit the scoresheet in their third top flight game. Will we see more of this free-scoring from Eddie Howe's men?
WHAT'S NEXT?
West Ham head to Liverpool on Saturday as they try to end a two-game losing streak as the Cherries prepare to host Leicester City after they meet Hartlepool United in the Capital One Cup midweek.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Take full responsibility for the game today.. Was simply not good enough two sloppy mistakes.. Said sorry to the lads and also the fans ⚒
— AARON CRESSWELL (@Aaron_Cresswell) August 22, 2015A great way to end the week. Deserved our win today. Thank you for all your messages this week, they don't go unnoticed! #afcb
— Eunan O'Kane (@eunan10) August 22, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Bournemouth's Howe on hat-trick hero Wilson:
"I don't mind singling Callum out on the back of a hat-trick.
"He was a menace today with his pace. All strikers need goals and it has been a really good afternoon for him."
West Ham boss Bilic on Bournemouth performance:
"I congratulate Bournemouth, they deserve it, they were good. Bournemouth scored goals - for every goal you have to give credit to the opponent."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
20 - Darren Randolph has now conceded 20 goals in his last four appearances against Bournemouth. Nightmare.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 22, 20155 - West Ham have been given five red cards in their nine competitive games this season, compared to three in 43 games in 2014-15. Angry.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 22, 2015
TEAM LEADERS
WEST HAM
Goals - Cheikhou Kouyate 2
Assists - Cheikhou Kouyate, Dimitri Payet and Aaron Cresswell 1
Clean sheets - Adrian 1
Yellow cards - Four players all on 1
Red cards - Adrian, Carl Jenkinson 1
BOURNEMOUTH
Goals - Callum Wilson 3
Assists - Simon Francis, Max Gradel 1
Yellow cards - Steve Cook 2
