Andoni Iraola was left flummoxed by the decision not to send off Maximilian Kilman for the handball that ultimately led to his Bournemouth side starting their rescue mission against West Ham.

The Cherries were staring down the barrel of defeat as ex-Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson scored twice in the opening period at a wet and windy Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

However, Marcus Tavernier’s penalty and Enes Unal’s strike 46 seconds after entering the fray secured a 2-2 draw in a dominant second-half showing.

But Bournemouth boss Iraola was irked by referee Thomas Bramall not producing a red card for Kilman, who handled when sliding to try and win the ball from Evanilson.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Iraola said: “I don’t understand the referee decision to not send him off. They told me it is not a denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.

“If that is not it, I don’t know what is. I cannot even understand it. It is the clearest chance you can give to a number nine. I was not happy at all with the decision.”

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Iraola did concede, though, that his side made mistakes for the goals they conceded, with Marco Senesi and Djordje Petrovic culpable for the first, while Jarrod Bowen and Jean-Clair Todibo were allowed to win headers in the area to set up the second.

Hammers goalkeeper Areola was also in excellent form, making 10 saves and three clearances in a performance that ensured his side at least left with a point.

“It is not a good result for us. We did a lot of very good things today, and we deserved to win. We have to look at the mistakes we made,” added Iraola, whose side had suffered back-to-back losses prior to the international break.

“Second half, we were all over them. We had good chances. I think Areola has been fantastic, and we can’t ask much more from the players. In the first half, though, two cheap goals. We made mistakes.

“We have had a lot of good chances, and it was not enough to win, but I think the second half is difficult to improve.”

Unal had not scored since December 2024, coincidentally also against West Ham, after a rotten run with injuries, and Iraola was thrilled for the forward.

“Everyone was very pleased for him. He has been working alone a lot of time, and to have this moment you score, I think is good. He will help us,” he said.