Jarrod Bowen’s controversial late winner proved enough to send West Ham United into the Carabao Cup third round after a 1-0 win over AFC Bournemouth.

With a penalty shootout looming ominously on the London Stadium horizon, the Hammers skipper finally broke the deadlock on 88 minutes to beach Bournemouth.

It proved a sweet moment for Julien Lopetegui, but meant a sour end to the evening for the Cherries after Bowen appeared to deflect substitute Mohammed Kudus’ shot beyond keeper Neto with his elbow.

And with no Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review system in operation, the Spaniard saw his team advance to the next stage, where they now face a tricky trip to holders Liverpool, who comprehensively swept West Ham aside in last season’s quarter-finals by a 5-1 margin.

“It was never going to be easy against a very good Premier League team,” insisted the Hammers head coach after getting one over on compatriot Andoni Iraola to win the battle of the Basque bosses.

“We had some chances in the first half but then suffered a few moments when Bournemouth had their own opportunities.

“But you sometimes have to suffer in games before you can win them and that’s what happened.

"In the end we scored and are happy that we are now going forward in the competition because that was our aim.”

Lopetegui was able to hand full debuts to a quartet of summer signings with Jean-Clair Todibo, Niclas Füllkrug, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Crysencio Summerville all given their first starts in claret and blue.

“Everyone knows we have a lot of new players and we still have to improve but I like the way in which we are trying to fight, believe in ourselves and adapt,” he added, contemplating Saturday evening’s clash with another fellow countryman - Pep Guardiola - and his reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City at London Stadium (5.30 pm).

“I am pleased that we are showing some better things and that’s what I take away from tonight’s match.

“Now, we have to recover as quickly as possible because City have not had to play this week in this round.

"The Premier League demands a lot and we must make sure that we continue to compete.”