West Ham 3-2 Burnley: Callum Wilson on target as rejuvenated Hammers come from behind for back-to-back home wins
West Ham made it back-to-back wins under Nuno Espirito Santo as they came from behind to beat Burnley 3-2 at the London Stadium.
After going nine games without a win at home, the Hammers look rejuvenated under the watch of the former Nottingham Forest boss, following up last weekend’s win over Newcastle with another three points.
Another weekend meant another protest by West Ham’s fans against the club’s board, this time a good few thousand marching from Stratford station. Once the game was under way though, the home fans backed their team.
They did it the hard way, too, having fallen behind to a Zian Flemming header. That goal kicked the home side into life as Callum Wilson scored an important equaliser just before the break.
Player ratings:
West Ham: Areola (6), Wan-Bissaka (7), Kilman (7), Todibo (7), Diouf (7), Potts (7), Fernandes (7), Paqueta (7), Bowen (7), Wilson (7), Summerville (8)
Subs: Soucek (8), Magassa (7), Walker-Peters (7)
Burnley: Dubravka (5), Walker (7), Tuanzebe (6), Esteve (6), Hartman (7), Florentino (7), Cullen (7), Ugochukwu (7), Anthony (7), Tchaouna (7), Flemming (8)
Subs: Bruun Larsen (7), Broja (7), Hannibal (6)
Player of the Match: Flemming
The game was finely balanced in the second half but substitute Tomas Soucek popped up with another big goal when appearing at the back post to knock in Lucas Paqueta’s cross.
Soucek was involved in the third goal, too. His long-range shot was spilled by Martin Dubravka and Kyle Walker-Peters was on hand to force the ball over the line.
Tomas Soucek celebrates scoring West Ham’s second
Former West Ham academy product Josh Cullen bundled home in stoppage time for Burnley after an error from Alphonse Areloa but it was too little, too late for Scott Parker’s team.
The Hammers remain in the relegation zone, but they have some momentum in their season at last.
‘Nightmare’ Soucek a dream to manage
Nuno Espirito Santo is glad to have “nightmare” Soucek playing for his team rather than against him after the Czech midfielder inspired West Ham to victory.
“I’ve played Thomas, I’ve played West Ham, many times and every time I was analysing it, it was a nightmare,” said West Ham boss Nuno.
“How do you control Thomas getting in the box? He recognises the space and he has belief that not many players have. So good.
“He’s just made 250 appearances for the club, it’s huge. You cannot have anything else but respect and love for Tomas.”
Parker: We have to improve otherwise it’ll be a long season
Burnley boss Scott Parker:
“We switched off at that moment and in this division like I said many a time you switch off for one second there’s every chance the ball ends up in the back of your net and we’ve fallen a little bit short here and there in certain moments and it’s something we have to fix.
“I’m weak in my position when I say it to you and I’m weak. I’m fundamentally weak because we’re walking away with a loss.
“So while I can sit here and praise how well we did and how much control we had, and what a good side we looked. We’ve fallen short, when moments of concentration has cost us again. And this is a big league that we need to learn from quickly.
“We’re now 11 games in and at the start of that, this learning was down to me and obviously explaining to them situations. The problem is dragging on a little bit too long now.
“We’ve got to improve, because otherwise it’s it’ll be a long season for us.”
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Scott Parker felt Burnley have to fundamentally improve after a lack of concentration led to a loss to West Ham
Fan protests: ‘Coffin signifies perceived death of club’
West Ham fans hold a protest against the clubs owners before the Premier League match against Burnley at London Stadium
Sky Sports News’ Chris Reidy:
“I witnessed thousands of West Ham gathering and marching peacefully through the streets of Stratford against West Ham’s board before kick-off.
“Sack the board’, ‘we want our club back’ and ‘we sold our soul’ were sung constantly.
“Midway through, a coffin joined the march, signifying the perceived death of the club since the move from The Boleyn Ground.
“Starting from Stratford station, the thousands headed for the directors entrance where they vented their feelings towards the club’s hierarchy.”
Story of the match in stats…
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