Julen Lopetegui reveals 'frustration' at West Ham result but praises Lucas Paqueta after role change | OneFootball

The West Ham manager has delivered his verdict on the 1-1 draw against Bournemouth

Julen Lopetegui admitted “frustration” that West Ham could not hold on against Bournemouth but praised the performance of goalscorer Lucas Paqueta.

The Hammers earned a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium in which they thought they had won the game in dramatic fashion when Paqueta calmly slotted home from the spot after a late VAR call awarded a penalty for a Tyler Adams handball.

However, Bournemouth hit back and claimed their point through an exceptional direct free-kick by Enes Unal in the 90th minute.

A draw kept West Ham 14th in the Premier League table but moved the Cherries up to sixth.

“Today I think that the team showed very good behaviours as a team,” said Lopetegui. “I was happy with how we played against a very good team in Bournemouth.

“Fair or not, it’s one point. We have to [accept] this. In my opinion, we were better in the first half. Maybe Andoni [Iraola] is going to say the opposite about the second half. We were very close to achieving the three points.

“I prefer to be positive. It was a frustration when you have lost two points so close to the end, but we have to keep the positive things and look forward with a positive mentality. I was happy with the mentality and the way that we played.”

Following two games on where he started on the bench, Paqueta was reintroduced into the starting line-up at the Vitality Stadium and produced an impressive display, including a well-taken penalty.

“It was not easy for him, because in the first half he started on the right,” Lopetegui said of Paqueta.

“[Milos] Kerkez is one of the most dangerous left-backs in the Premier League, and he was very focused to defend him. He did well on the second balls, and after he changed the position, he did well.”