West Ham Take Royalties From Rangers Cup Tie

After failing to progress past the third-round of the FA Cup in the last two years, West Ham United finally picked up their first win since 8 November on Sunday afternoon. However, they had to negotiate extra-time to eventually overcome the challenge of Sky Bet Championship side Queens Park Rangers in Stratford and get 2026 up and running. At the end of normal time, the score was 1-1

Nuno Espírito Santo made six changes from Tuesday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest, as Mads Hermansen started for the first time under the current Head-Coach, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka was straight back into the starting line-up after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. Max Kilman, Soungoutou Magassa and Freddie Potts were recalled after missing out against the Tricky Trees. There was also a first start for youngster Ezra Mayers, as he came into the midfield in place of Tomáš Souček.

Fellow Development Squad players Oliver Scarles, Mohamadou Kanté and Airidas Golambeckis were all amongst the substitutes, along with Kyle Walker-Peters and Pablo Felipe.

Finlay Herrick was in the matchday squad for the first time, as Alphonse Areola was rested together with midfielder Lucas Paquetá.

The home side had lost all five of their London derbies this season to date and were just hoping that this would be one that they could be victorious in. It didn’t seem to be the case for a large part of the first-half, as the visitors were creating decent chances but thankfully, not being able to apply the killer touch.

Hoops Head-Coach Julien Stéphan was forced into his first change with only seventeen minutes played, as Paul Smyth replaced the injured Kōki Saitō.

The game suddenly sprung into life after thirty two minutes when visiting goalkeeper Joe Walsh finally had some work to do. However, from a home side perspective, he was up to the job, as he kept out Crysencio Summerville out with a superb fingertip save and the ball went out of play for a corner. The delivery was sent in by Irons’ captain Jarrod Bowen and although Walsh fumbled, he managed to hold at the second attempt after Kilman had headed the ball on.

When West Ham were awarded their next corner, Konstantinos Mavropanos jumped to head it but clashed with an opponent and after a lengthy delay, he was replaced by Felipe.

Due to that injury, nine minutes were added before the break and the last kick of the half saw Summerville claim only his second goal for the club after his effort against Sean Dyche’s men was ruled out by VAR. This was a good team goal too.

A great move involving Bowen, Valentín Castellanos, Felipe and Magassa ended with the Dutchman taking two touches before giving Walsh no chance as the ball flew into the net.

If their team hadn’t been given the advantage before referee Thomas Kirk blew his whistle for half-time, there would have be no prizes for guessing the reaction coming their way. Thankfully though, the majority inside the stadium cheered and applauded, as Espírito Santo’s side went down the tunnel.

Hermansen, who hadn’t really had a lot to do during the opening forty five minutes was tested by Rayan Kolli at the start of the second-half. he ran past Jean-Clair Todibo to get into the box but fortunately the Dane prevented him from levelling the scores.

Shortly after, Smyth saw his effort deflect wide of the post and off Wan-Bissaka.

Stéphan’s side had been putting the pressure on since the restart with sixty five minutes gone, they equalised when Karamoko Dembele’s cross was met by Richard Kone, who beat Wan- Bissaka to the ball and headed past Hermansen.

Espírito Santo reacted quickly to the setback and made his second change on seventy minutes, as Souček entered the fray for Magassa.

The Hoops’ defence then had to be on their guard and two superb blocks from captain Jimmy Dunne prevented Castellanos from shooting, while Summerville tried his luck on the follow-up but unfortunately, Isaac Hayden was in the winger’s way. Castellanos was involved again but Walsh finally ended the move when he helped the ball over the top from the Argentine’s powerful effort.

Espírito Santo’s side now looked a better proposition. They continued to pile forward in an attempt to get themselves ahead again. The trouble was that the West London outfit were still standing firm. Souček had the chance to end the contest, but Kone cleared off the line to send the tie into extra-time.

The East Londoners made more alterations, as both Walker-Peters and Scarles took the places of Wan-Bissaka and Mayers.

West Ham showed their superiority throughout the extra thirty minutes and Walsh came to his side’s rescue by denying both Souček and Summerville.

As the clock on the big screens at either end of the stadium ticked over to 108 minutes, Summerville broke clear and crossed. Castellanos, who has been at the club for less than a week, met the delivery and sent a thumping header past Walsh to already claim his first goal. Let me tell you, that definitely delighted the home supporters.

Just three minutes after making the telling contribution, he was off the pitch, as he made way for Guido Rodríguez.

The Hammers remained in front until Kirk brought an end to proceedings, giving Espírito Santo only his third win since taking over from Graham Potter. Hopefully, this will finally boost the team to start a run of wins. They have another London derby up next, as they travel north to The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday afternoon.