For the final few minutes, those inside the London Stadium experienced a feeling long believed lost around these parts – a bit of excitement.
West Ham and Bournemouth slugged it out for a winner after Evanilson’s brace and goal apiece for Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen and seen both sides take a lead.
When the final whistle eventually blew, both sets of players fell to the floor or hunched over with their hands on their knees gasping for breath.
How little of that verve West Ham have seen this season and so much it came from striker Fullkrug, whose second-half introduction rejuvenated a Hammers outfit that for most of the game had again looked devoid of ideas.
The German, still returning to full fitness after three months out with a hamstring injury, had only been on the field seven minutes when his bullet header from a James Ward-Prowse’s corner bagged his first home goal for the club and levelled the scoring just after the hour.
Evanilson had earlier capitalised on Alphonse Areola’s error spilling Antoine Semenyo’s shot to give Bournemouth the lead.
Evanilson earned Bournemouth a point against West Ham with a late strike
The Brazilian striker opened the scoring after reacting quick to Alphonse Areola’s parry
Nicas Fullkrug’s powerful header got West Ham on level terms shortly after the hour mark
Fullkrug’s introduction allowed West Ham skipper Bowen to move into his preferred wide position and he soon leaped to meet Mohammed Kudus’s cross and direct a superb header into the corner to end a barren run of five home games without a goal or assist.
West Ham could not hold on for a first win since February after more slack defending allowed Evanilson to nip in at the back post and turn in Dean Huijsen’s looping header.
‘The good the bad and the ugly,’ joked Potter. ‘It was hard fought, to-and-fro Premier League game.
‘Niclas’s impact was clear, not just the goal but how he helps the team. If we can get him fit and firing he can be a success here.’
The result was nowhere near enough for Bournemouth, who are now winless in their last six league games and any hopes they had of a Champions League charge now feel likely to be redirected towards the Conference League.
It was frustrating afternoon for Iraola, who watched his side dominate so much of the contest and had a great chance to win the game late on when Semenyo raced through on goal but was denied by a fine save from Areola.
‘We cannot be happy with a point,’ said Iraola. ‘There was only one team close to winning and it was Bournemouth.’
Jarrod Bowen nodded home his eighth Premier League goal of the season
Evanilson ensured the spoils were shared with a tap-in at the back post late on
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth have Bournemouth extended their winless run to six matches