AFC Bournemouth supporters welcomed Andoni Iraola to Dean Court on Saturday for his first competitive game in English football.
The visitors to Dean Court were West Ham United, playing their first competitive fixture since winning the UEFA Conference League something the supporters from London were keen to mention quite a few times.
First minutes for a while!😅Thought we deserved more today but a really good start. Great to see you all for the first time Cherries!🍒🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/0dFlDF1Hgt
— Max Aarons (@maxaarons2) August 12, 2023
Very Proud moment for me and my Familiy!
We keep working!🍒⚽️❤️ pic.twitter.com/cMzCnijU2L— Kerkez Milos (@kerkezofficial) August 12, 2023
The Cherries named Max Aarons and Milos Kerkez in the starting XI to make their debuts, whilst Justin Kluivert made a second-half appearance to feature in his first game in England.
James Hill, who joined the Cherries in January 2022, made his first Premier League appearance for the club having previously only made 4 appearances across the Championship, FA Cup and EFL Cup.
AFC Bournemouth’s best chances fell to David Brooks and Joe Rothwell, before Dominic Solanke secured a share of the points with an equaliser in front of the north stand.
23/24 season underway! pic.twitter.com/4lZofBwXYf
— Dom Solanke (@DomSolanke) August 12, 2023
After the game, AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola told Sky Sports…
“It’s a good point, we wanted three, We were better at the end of both halves.
“After tying the game the momentum was with us and we finished better, but it was one point.
“We improved after the first half and second half we were a bit more direct. We have to improve, this was the first game of the season. We have to grow from this starting point.”
Man of the match against West Ham
Philip
Solanke
Rothwell
Kerkez
Christie
Aarons
Zabarnyi
Senesi
Someone else
"I have to thank all the supporters" ❤️ pic.twitter.com/kTafAu4LsN
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 12, 2023
Written by billythekid
Enjoyed the game this afternoon, this was a game of two halves.
In the first half both sides started steady neither wanting to make a mistake and not a lot happened.
The second half was a different story and the game came to life, first a cracking shot on the volley by David Brooks that was rising and the keeper tipped over the top.
A few minutes later Jarrod Bowen curled the ball past Neto to make it 0-1, it was a good goal.
Joe Rothwell was dictating things for AFCB in midfield and had a very good game and thoroughly deserved to be made the Cherries MOM.
With eight minutes of normal time to go and after a bit of pressure from our side, we got a deserved equaliser and Dominic Solanke put it away.
I like our left back and thought Aaron’s had a steady game in defence after signing late for us and being thrown in at right back without little training.
Also thought Semenyo looked lively when he came on and did well in his short time on the pitch.
It was a very good and entertaining second half and a sign of things to come from our side.
We also kept our home record of not being beaten at home in an opening game since August 2017 against Watford.
Your say…
afcb_rednblack added…
A really enjoyable first game and as it went on we got more of a glimpse of what Iraola is trying to achieve which is very exciting. Lots of positives today, particularly the potential of Kerkez and Aarons; so good to see Brooks returning to his previous form and Semenyo was somewhat of a revelation when he came on. A good start.
ANWardy said…
About a fair result, both sides hit the woodwork, we finished strongly.
Aarons looked useful till he went off injured.
Rothwell buzzed around a lot in the first half especially.
Brooks being back was great, not far off scoring s couple of times.
Semenyo was lively when he came on, on this occasion helpful his shooting isn’t brilliant.
I’ll take 1 all from 1 down, would have loved the win mind. – To join the conversation, click here.
