1. A real team effort
Sunday’s win at Vitality Stadium was undoubtedly a real team effort from all 16 players who appeared. Amazingly, half of those 16 players were directly involved in the four goals West Ham United scored.
Aaron Cresswell corner assisted Michail Antonio’s header inside five minutes, before Vladimír Coufal provided the right-wing cross for Paquetá to leap high to nod in the second seven minutes later.
Tomáš Souček flicked on another Cresswell corner for Declan Rice to drive in the Irons’ third goal shortly before half-time, before Jarrod Bowen’s cross was spectacularly converted by Pablo Fornals to complete the scoring 18 minutes from time.
It is the first time in 1,026 Premier League matches that eight different players have had a direct goal involvement in a single fixture.
2. A fast start
Prior to Sunday’s win, the earliest in a Premier League game that West Ham United had scored this season was Saïd Benrahma’s 20th-minute opener at home to Crystal Palace in November.
Slow starts have hindered the Hammers’ progress, but that was not the case at Vitality Stadium as David Moyes’ side made the best possible opening.
Michail Antonio’s fifth-minute header was West Ham’s earliest goal in a Premier League game since Tomáš Souček opened the scoring at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the same minute in December 2021. A month earlier, Alisson’s fourth-minute own-goal opened the scoring in the Irons’ 3-2 home win over Liverpool.
Paquetá added a second inside 12 minutes at AFC Bournemouth, making it the quickest two-goal lead West Ham have achieved in an away top-flight fixture since doing so at Hull City in November 2009.
3. Peerless Paquetá
It was always going to take Paquetá time to adapt to the intensity of the Premier League but, now he has done so, the Brazilian’s quality is shining through for all to see.
After producing impressive performances in the recent wins over Nottingham Forest and Southampton and draws with Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Arsenal, the No11 produced his most influential display yet in Dorset.
Paquetá covered every blade of grass against AFC Bournemouth, touching the ball more times (62) and making more passes (47) and tackles (five) than any of his teammates.
The 25-year-old also weighed in with his fourth goal of the season in style, towering above the significantly taller Jack Stephens and powering his header past Neto in the Cherries goal.
Speaking to West Ham TV, Paquetá expressed his hope that more goals will come between now and the end of the season, and on this evidence it would be foolish to doubt him.
4. Aaron Cross-well
Nobody has ever doubted the quality of Aaron Cresswell’s delivery from wide on the left flank.
On Sunday, the No3 was involved in two of West Ham United’s four goals, both of which came from his outstanding corners.
The first was powered in by an unmarked Michail Antonio at the near post, providing Cresswell with the 30th assist of his Premier League career in Claret and Blue. Only Mark Noble (35) and Paolo Di Canio (31) have directly set up more goals for the Club.
The second set piece was flicked on by Tomáš Souček and powered home first-time by captain Declan Rice at the far post.
In addition to his 30 assists, Cresswell has also scored ten goals, showing his value to a team he has helped to 101 wins in 278 top-flight appearances.
Not bad for a left-back.
5. Pablo's Scorpion Kick!
Pablo Fornals has had a frustrating season, but on Sunday he gave everyone a reminder of the quality he possesses with a stunning 'Scorpion Kick' goal to complete West Ham United's rout of AFC Bournemouth.
The Spain midfielder has started just 12 of the Hammers' 31 Premier League matches, with his 14 substitute appearances more than any other player in David Moyes' squad.
While his minutes on the pitch may have been shorter than he had hoped, Fornals always gives 100 per cent with those he is given, and that was the case again at Vitality Stadium.
With 18 minutes to go, Declan Rice released Jarrod Bowen down the right and Fornals set off for the penalty area, expecting a delivery from the England winger. When it arrived, it was behind the No8, but he somehow twisted his body in mid-air to volley past Neto with the outside of his right boot.
It was a sensational goal, and one Fornals celebrated with his adoring supporters with his trademark knee-slide and salute. There was emotion in his face too, showing just what it meant to the popular player to prove his worth to the Club he loves yet again.
