West Ham started slowly and grew into the game as Burnley opened the scoring: A stupid late mistake by Alphonse Areola made the score closer than it should have been, but a win at a canter again for Nuno’s men. More later in the afternoon with the ‘final whistle, first impressions’ article due soon.
Player ratings: Normally Gonzo’s speciality but you’ll have my perspective this afternoon. First half scores in brackets.
Areola (5) 5 Nothing to do in the first half apart from picking the ball out of his own net: No chance with the first. One brilliant throw-out setting up a Bowen run on goal in 2nd half , one decent save – and a fabulous injury time save for the highlights reel. BUT a big, big mistake dropping the ball from a simple shot to allow Burnley’s 96th minute second.
Wan Bissaka ( 6) 7 Brilliant last-ditch heel interception to stop a sure fire Burnley second. Good second half understanding with Bowen on the RH side as his legs carried on running.
Kilman (4) 5 At fault again for Burnley’s goal: No challenge on the ball as he was out-jumped by Flemming who had a clear unopposed header which he buried. Slightly more solid second half but still a worry.
Todibo (4) 6 Very lucky to escape being wrong sided and losing Fleming after 15 minutes: Not an impressive first half. Ditto second half – slightly more solid and less of a concern as West Ham looked little less vulnerable at the back.
Diouf (6) 7 Some good wing work popping up on the right wing more than once in the first half. Second half – some monster tackles as his defensive work grew – and absolutely bossed Kyle Walker going forward.
Fernandes (6) 7.5 Good covering defensive duties on more than one occasion as Paquetá gave the ball away. Buzzed everywhere in the second half looking a threat going forward and covering well. Has a crunching tackle in him.
Potts (7) 7 Not a totally commanding first half but good covering of the pitch and some good interceptions. Looked better in second half but hamstring injury caused a 60th minute substitution.
Paquetá (3) 6 Poor first half with too many poor tackles, losses of possession and the inevitable yellow card was the least he deserved. Gave the ball away too many times in the first half. Better second half after his yellow card, the threat of further sanction curbed the extremes and Paq- man grew more composed and played without the rashness.
Bowen (6) 7 One decent shot deflected away for a corner. Not enough supply in the first ’45 and frequently crowded out. Short on supply but a couple of good runs in the second half : Was on hand to score the Hammers’ third but beaten to it by Kyle Walker Peters.
Wilson (7) Great foot work and anticipation, stepping back on side to head home West Ham;s first. Classic front man play shows again what is lacking in West Ham’s squad. Ran out of steam at 70 minutes and was replaced by Soucek.
Summerville (7) 7.5 Lively and a few great runs: Well-worked short corner for the equaliser and super cross for Wilson to head home. Took a full-on Walker crunching tackle just before half time and wondered if he’d come out for the second half. A real threat running forward and great work for West Ham’s equaliser. Never stopped running until his substitution.
Subs
Soucek 8 30 minutes and a back post presence – perfectly positioned to chest home Paquetá’s cross for West Ham’s second. Vintage Soucek and now West Ham’s supersub: His shot from outside the box was only parried by Burnley’s keeper into the path of Bowen and Walker Peters for the third. So a goal and an assist in 30 minutes.
Magassa 6 Largely invisible 20 minute sub appearance
Walker Peters 8 Another late appearance as Summerville’s midfield replacement -again helped solidify the closing minutes and out sprinted Jarrod Bowen to tap home West Hams third.
Igor Julio 6 Helped set up West Ham’s third.
Sorry Martin, but you really should take off those rose coloured glasses and go to SpecSavers for some proper ones. As do other readers, I though Bowen was, unusually, very poor and would have thought a 4 or 5 rating more realistic. Likewise Paqueta, whose fave song must be Yellow by Coldplay. Now his love of yellow has cost him a suspension for the Cherries away. Summerville and Fernandes were probably our best players but Soucek deserves his 8 for inevitably influencing the game. Thank God we kept Tomas the Tank Engine!
Ahh that is why we love our ‘player ratings’ – of course they’re subjective and of course you’re supposed to take issue with them: that’s the whole point of opinions. everyone has one and they’re all different. Long live our ability to disagree without falling out 🙂
Go back to school, Whetstone if think it was only 2000 on the protest.
Raise your hand if you’ve been tough on ol’ Tornado Tom ✋
For sure, he doesn’t have the legs to be the box to box player of a few seasons ago.
But the way he kissed the badge before even coming into the pitch, and just being in the right place at the right time. Consistently.
You have to love this fella.
Harsh marks I think Martin. It was brilliant and if the game had ended on the 35th minute then Burnley would have been the better side but it ends at 90 minutes and we weren’t lucky we deserved the win.
I thought Areola played really well apart from the bit at the end. I personally thought Bowen was awful and Summerville wasn’t great, but I thought the midfield 3 were good Fernandez was the best. It’s difficult to play without support for the lone aging striker. I personally thought the defence was okay not brilliant but better than in many we have seen so far this season
Sorry I meant it wasn’t brilliant
Best game I’ve seen of Fernandes so far. He played with energy, linked up well with Pacman and distributed neatly to the forwards, especially Summerville – exactly why West Ham bought him. We need him for the next game.
Soucek once again justified his place in the team, when used wisely. His detractors should give it a rest.
Spin
I thought Areola was outstanding today. Some incredible saves. Paqueta and Bowen both poor today, Bowen unusually off form. Maybe he was carrying a knock or something. Souchek was, well what can you say about Souchek. He’s still winning games for us.
@D Well I could say It’s Soucek, NOT Souchek as many readers keep getting it wrong. Otherwise I agree with all you said.
Good wn but Kilman at fault for there first goal No challenge to win the header
Neither Paqueta nor Bowen were worth more than a three, both were absolute cr@p. Summerville is fine running down the wing but has no clue what to do when he reaches the 18 yard line. Areola’s distribution is as bad as ever, can’t throw at all and kicks are weak and usually out. A good job it was Burnley and not Bournemouth today. Based on this performance, I can’t see any more points this side of Christmas.
Oh dear, and people accuse ME of being negative!
Reality is painful sometimes isn’t it Martin? As ever, I so hope I am totally wrong and feel free to remind me every point.we get in the next 6 games.
A hard fought win. Not WH’s best game, but a good team effort, and a relief to have secured the three points again. The Fernandez, Potts midfield made a good contribution.
Potts hamstring is a blow, but before the international break gives time for at least some recovery. Outplayed for long periods is a concern against Burnley but this team competes and good knowing where to be goals from both Wilson and Soucek. I thought that we would win but it was a bit tighter than I thought. Invaluable three points, we need every one we can muster.