West Ham United manager Nuno Espírito Santo has been praised for a ‘big call’ tactically after the Hammers beat Burnley in a crunch relegation clash this afternoon.
The Hammers raced into a commanding first-half lead through goals from the red-hot Crysencio Summerville and January recruit Valentin Castellanos, then weathered a fierce second-half barrage from Scott Parker’s desperate hosts to claim three precious points.
Nuno’s revitalised side struck early when Dutch winger Summerville showed ice-cool composure to dink over Martin Dubravka in the 13th minute.
Mateus Fernandes orchestrated the breakthrough with a driving run and perfectly weighted through-ball, allowing Summerville to execute a delicate chip finish for his fifth consecutive goal across all competitions.
West Ham doubled their advantage midway through the opening period when El Hadji Malick Diouf delivered a pinpoint cross from the right flank.
Castellanos attacked the ball brilliantly, powering a low header past Dubravka to register his maiden Premier League goal since arriving from Lazio.
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The Dutchman has been on fire lately.
Burnley emerged with renewed intensity after the interval, launching wave after wave of attacks as they desperately sought a route back into proceedings. Stand-in goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, deputising for Alphonse Areola, produced a string of crucial saves to preserve West Ham’s clean sheet.
Marcus Edwards curled narrowly wide from distance, whilst Bashir Humphreys unleashed a thunderous effort that flew inches past the upright. Hermansen made a spectacular stop to deny Edwards again, before January signing Axel Disasi blocked heroically on the goal-line to prevent Zian Flemming’s header finding the net.
The full-time whistle sparked fury among the Turf Moor faithful, who booed their side off following a 16th consecutive match without victory. Burnley now trail West Ham by eight points and sit a devastating 11 points adrift of safety with time running out.
West Ham now climb up to 23 points, just three behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest following Leeds’ 3-1 victory over Forest on Friday evening.
It was a tremendous afternoon for Nuno’s side, with the Portuguese making a few wonderful decisions to gift West Ham the precious win.
Nuno praised for ‘big call’ against Burnley which ‘paid off’ for West Ham
Despite fitness concerns surrounding Disasi in the build up, the Frenchman was rock solid in Lancashire, and Nuno’s decision to give him his first West Ham start paid dividends.
The Irons kept their first clean sheet since August, and another man to thank was undoubtedly Hermansen.
The Dane held talks over a loan move to Tottenham with Antonin Kinsky going the other way in January, but he was fantastic between the sticks today.
The media have rushed to lavish Nuno for his ‘big call’ to start Hermansen, with the tactical masterstroke ultimately paying off as West Ham make up ground on the Tricky Trees.
After that display, the 25-year-old summer signing will surely be encouraged that he can displace Areola long-term and battle his way into Denmark’s potential World Cup squad.
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