Hammers Prove Too Hot For Burnley

West Ham United have now beaten all three of this season’s newly-promoted teams after they came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.

Jarrod Bowen was injured whilst on international duty with England and wasn’t deemed fit enough to be involved, meaning David Moyes had to make one change to the team that faced Nottingham Forest before the international break with Danny Ings replacing him in the starting line-up, thus giving the former Clarets’ striker the chance to feature. Divin Mubama and former Burnley man Maxwel Cornet were included on the bench.

With Vincent Kompany’s side yet to win in front of their own supporters this season, it was a real chance for the Hammers to not only build on the success against the Tricky Trees but also to claim a third success on the road.

Lucas Paquetá created an opening in the early stages for his team but unfortunately, Tomáš Souček gave home goalkeeper James Trafford an easy catch when he sent a header towards goal.

Up the other end, Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson tried his luck but to be fair, it was comfortable for visiting stopper Alphonse Areola. That being said, the hosts went close again minutes later when Jay Rodriguez forced Paquetá into a mistake and the hometown player sent a cross into the box but it was to come as a relief to the large travelling contingent that Zeki Amdouni missed the chance to get a connection on the ball.

Luca Koleosho gave Areola a real test minutes later which the Frenchman was equal to. He then proceeded to go down in the area. Although referee Sam Barrott saw no reason to award a penalty, it was referred to VAR. Thankfully though, the on-field decision stood.

The Irons were awarded their first corner just three minutes before the break but despite Souček meeting the delivery from James Ward-Prowse, it went narrowly wide.

Both these teams were yet to win after conceding the first goal this season and with the deadlock still to be broken at the halfway stage, the two sets of supporters were hoping that it will be their team who blinked first.

Koleosho can often be a threat for Kompany’s side and he proved to be so again when the second-half got underway. Just two minutes had been played when he burst into the West Ham box and was deemed to have been fouled by Mohammed Kudus and this time Barrott did award the penalty. I must say, it looked a rather harsh decision!!! Nonetheless, it was given and Rodriguez sent Areola the wrong way.

From then on, the Irons sprung into life as they were determined to take at least a point away from Lancashire. They dominated for the rest of the match and Souček again met a Ward-Prowse set-piece in search of an immediate response. The Czech midfielder sent a venomous effort towards goal but Dara O’Shea managed to get a block in. Seconds later, Paquetá sent a volley over the crossbar.

Then, West Ham had Areola to thank as he got a strong hand to Amdouni’s shot to prevent him from adding a second for the home side after he had dispossessed Nayef Aguerd.

Visiting Captain Kurt Zouma tried to get his name on the scoresheet but unfortunately, none of his attempts were close to hitting the target.

On sixty three minutes, Moyes made a double change, as Ings was withdrawn in favour of Mubama, while Saïd Benrahma took the place of Edson Álvarez.

It looked as if another away game would slip by without reward for the Hammers when Benrahma saw his curling effort hit the side netting.

Shortly after, Kompany brought on former West Ham youngster Josh Cullen for Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson.

West Ham were involved in late drama last time out and they were at it again just three minutes later as the scores were finally level. Mubama thought he had claimed his first Premier League goal for the club, following great play from Kudus. However, replays showed that O’Shea had actually applied the telling touch.

The visitors weren’t satisfied with just a point and were given encouragement when a further seven minutes were added onto the end of the game.

Soon after that announcement was made the comeback was complete. Just as he had done thirteen days earlier, Souček produced an outstanding piece of skill to beat Trafford. For the second game in a row, the Claret and Blue Army went ballistic!!!

Onto Serbia then and trying to win UEFA Europa League Group A against FK TSC Bačka Topola on Thursday.