The winds howled and rain poured as Bournemouth clawed their way back from the brink of defeat. This thrilling encounter ended in a 2-2 draw against West Ham, following a tense first half where Bournemouth found themselves trailing by two goals, both courtesy of an old favorite, Callum Wilson.

In this exhilarating match at Vitality Stadium, braving harsh weather conditions, there were several standout moments worth revisiting. As the action unfolded, it was clear this wasn’t just any ordinary day on the pitch.

Rewind to a memorable summer day at London’s Stadium when Eddie Howe’s squad clinched a 4-3 victory, with Wilson, then relatively unknown, securing a hat-trick. It’s remarkable to consider that Bournemouth has maintained their Premier League status all the way to 2025. Yet, it was the same Wilson who returned to haunt them, now donning West Ham colors and delivering a performance that pierced the hearts of Bournemouth supporters.

Welcome home, Wilson! 

Wilson’s two stunning volleys, showcasing skill with both his right and left foot, propelled Nuno Espirito Santo’s team to a commanding 2-0 lead before halftime. Although Wilson chose not to celebrate, the faint smirk on his face spoke volumes, hinting at his satisfaction in the role he played against his former club.

Few Bournemouth fans would have predicted back then that they’d still be in the Premier League in 2025, let alone that Wilson would be putting a dagger in their hearts with a brace for the Hammers.

Callum Wilson scored two stunning volleys on his return the Vitality Stadium for West Ham

However Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth were relentless and pulled off a second-half comeback

Two impressive volleys from the 33-year-old – one on his right and the other his left – put Nuno Espirito Santo’s side 2-0 up before the interval. Wilson didn’t celebrate, but the smirk on his face said it all. 

The east Londoners took a punt on the Englishman when many had written him off. Yet those concerns now look rather premature. 

He’s older and more injury prone now than during his Bournemouth days but, when fit, Wilson’s an experienced attacker who still poses an undoubted threat.

Nuno’s made his mark 

Jamie Carragher dubbed this West Ham side one of the ‘slowest and least athletic’ he’s ever seen after their utterly dire 2-0 home loss to Brentford a few weeks ago.

They’re still both of those things but, in a well oiled system, such weaknesses don’t get exposed. 

The Hammers sat back for much of Saturday’s clash on the south coast and, though rather ugly, were nothing if not resilient. A back five of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman, Jean-Claire Todibo, Igor Julio and El Hadji Malick Diouf is not a nice watch, by any means, but they can all defend.

Espirito Santo has, quite simply, just played to those strengths. And with Jarrod Bowen on the break and an in-form Wilson up front, his side now look a whole lot better than they did at the turn of the month.   

In just a matter of weeks, Nuno Espirito Santo has made his side much harder to beat

His defence, including goalkeeper Andoni Iraola, worked hard for a point away from home

The Cherries didn’t lose their spark in the absence of Antoine Semenyo in a blizzard on the south coast

No Semenyo, no problem

Bournemouth were without their talisman Antoine Semenyo on Saturday, who Andoni Iraola revealed post-match was missing with illness. 

The winger has scored six and provided three in the Premier League already this season but, in his absence, the Cherries still pose the same threat. 

Iraola’s well-coached side dominated the ball throughout and were unlucky to go into the break two down. In the second-half, through goals from Marcus Tavernier and Enes Unal, they got what they deserved.

Reports this week suggested the southerners could lose Semenyo for £65million in January. Perhaps his sale wouldn’t be such a disaster, after all. 

Areola’s heroics  

If there’s one man who deserves plaudits after today’s scrap at the Vitality, it’s Alphonse Areola. 

The former PSG man put hardly a foot wrong in difficult conditions, pulling off two jaw-dropping saves late on to earn his side a draw. 

The first, the pick of them, came with his feet to deny Eli Kroupi Jr from a position in which he looked certain to score.