EPL: Zouma, Benrahma Goals Edge West Ham Past Bournemouth

Kurt Zouma's headed goal and Said Benrahma's penalty in stoppage time sealed a 2-0 victory for West Ham United over Bournemouth in a scrappy Premier League tussle at the London Stadium on Monday.

Frenchman Zouma glanced the ball in from close range on the stroke of halftime after a goalmouth scramble with the effort being allowed after a VAR check despite a suspicion of handball by his defensive partner Thilo Kehrer in the melee.

There was precious little else for either set of fans to get excited about as West Ham held onto their lead despite some nervy moments as Bournemouth finished strongly.

The Hammers could breathe more easily when Jordan Zemura was harshly penalised for handball after another VAR check went against the visitors and Benrahma thumped in his first goal of the season past substitute goalkeeper Mark Travers.

Bournemouth could feel justifiably frustrated that decisions went against them but West Ham took advantage to claim a fifth home win in succession in all competitions to move up seven places in the congested table from 17th to 10th with 14 points.

Bournemouth are 14th with 13 points from 12 games.

The main talking point was the impact of VAR in both goals and Bournemouth's caretaker manager Gary O'Neil was so angry about the first goal that he was booked for comments made to the officials at halftime.

West Ham got their noses in front in the 45th minute as Zouma nodded home but the ball appeared to have hit the hands of Kehrer seconds earlier.

After a check by VAR, it was deemed that the accidental handball had not directly led to the goal.

Bournemouth were not helped by injuries during the first half to striker Dominic Solanke and goalkeeper Neto, who made one great save to tip over Aaron Cresswell's shot.

West Ham were unable to make the game safe, however, until another contentious decision went their way.

Attempting to block a cross, a sliding Zemura inadvertently blocked the ball with his arm from close range.

Initially, referee David Coote did not award a penalty but after being asked to check the VAR screen he changed his mind.