Promoted AFC Bournemouth announced their arrival in the top flight with a bang after Callum Wilson’s hat-trick sealed their first-ever English Premier League victory in a 4-3 success at West Ham United on Saturday.
Bournemouth, who lost their two opening games 1-0, led 2-0 at halftime thanks to a double from Wilson but West Ham leveled through a Mark Noble penalty and Cheikhou Kouyate goal.
Marc Pugh nudged Bournemouth ahead again before Wilson converted a spot kick, after West Ham defender Carl Jenkinson was dismissed, to complete his treble before Modibo Maiga pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute to set up a tense finish.
Photo: AFP
Tottenham Hotspur ended Leicester City’s perfect start under new manager Claudio Ranieri with a 1-1 draw after the impressive Riyad Mahrez canceled out Dele Alli’s first Spurs goal.
Leciester lead the standings with seven points ahead of Manchester United on goal difference with Manchester City, who were due to visit Everton yesterday, in third on six points.
Champions Chelsea, who have one point from their first two games, were due to travel to West Bromwich Albion yesterday.
Bournemouth had won many plaudits during their opening two defeats and made the perfect start when Wilson volleyed home a superb 11th-minute opener before capitalizing on a defensive error to double the lead 17 minutes later.
The hosts, under new manager Slaven Bilic, roared back after the break with quick fire goals from Noble — who converted a penalty following Josh King’s foul — and Kouyate.
Despite surrendering their commanding lead, Bournemouth remained dangerous every time they pushed forward and regained the advantage when Pugh scored after another impressive attacking move.
Wilson, Bournemouth’s top scorer last season, completed his hat-trick with a 79th-minute penalty after Jenkinson had been sent off for bringing down Max Gradel.
West Ham’s response was emphatic with Maiga surging through the middle to stroke the ball home but Bournemouth held on to send their visiting fans into raptures.
“It was great to get off to a start with three points and I’m delighted for the team,” Wilson told Sky Sports.
“The main thing is the points. We’ve scored a few goals today which gets a bit of confidence in the team. It shows people we can score goals in this league and hopefully we can pick up more points along the way,” Wilson added.
Crystal Palace’s Bakary Sako snatched a late winner as they beat Aston Villa 2-1, while Stoke City, who handed record signing Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri his league debut, drew 1-1 at Norwich City with Russell Martin equalizing for the home side after Mame Biram Diouf headed the visitors in front.
Jermaine Defoe secured Sunderland’s first point of the season with the equalizer in a 1-1 draw at home to Swansea City after Bafetimbi Gomis netted his third league goal in as many matches this season on the stroke of halftime.
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