Premier League 2018/19: Bournemouth vs West Ham

This was a mid-table clash if there ever was one. Bournemouth and West Ham were 12th and 9th respectively in the table before kick-off, with both teams safe from relegation fears and unlikely to make the European places.

Eddie Howes side came into this game on a wretched run of form, having won only two of their last 10 games in all competitions, while West Ham were somewhat better off, having beaten Arsenal in their last game. Samir Nasris arrival had provided a welcome fillip for the Hammers, as they looked to continue their charge to be the best of the rest this season.

Lineups

Arnautovic sorely missed by Hammers

Marko Arnautovic has been a revelation for West Ham since he was moved to a central striking role by David Moyes. The Austrians intelligent movement off the ball has been vital to how the Hammers attack, pulling opposition defenders out of position and creating space for his teammates to attack.

In his absence, Andy Carroll was selected to lead the line. The Englishman is a much more static presence, and he does not possess the speed of thought or foot to make the same runs as Arnautovic. West Ham needed to change their approach if they were to utilise Carrolls strengths. However, they continued to play as if Arnautovic was in the side. Carroll was completely isolated, and the positions in which he got the ball are illuminating.

The Englishman is at his best when playing with his back to goal and when attacking crosses in the box. However, West Ham did not utilise these strengths. Instead, they tried to play passes down the channels, expecting him to chase them or to have made those runs in the first place.

The fact that Michail Antonio was playing as the centre-forward midway through the first half, with Carroll out wide on the right, is illustrative of the fact that West Ham did not change their approach to suit their players. Rather, they continued playing the same way, hoping that Carroll could somehow make it work