Despair and rancour still stalk the concrete corridors of the London Stadium, a place that remains far from their true home for West Ham United. Though, hope is not yet extinguished. A second victory at home in a row for the side managed by Nuno, with the crucial strike coming from long-serving Tomas Soucek. The defeat of fellow relegation contender Burnley may prove vital in the battle to avoid second-tier football at the London Stadium next season.
Fan Discontent Hits New Heights
Fans had already expressed once again, and in clear language, what they feel about the executives running the team. After a demonstration against Crystal Palace, boycotting the match versus Brentford, and a sit-in against the Magpies, disgruntled fans organized a protest walk. A banner declared “15 years of denying West Ham United”. The access route that surrounds the stadium was packed with numerous protestors, and the entrance for club directors’ luxury cars was blocked off. Black balloons were released, a symbolic casket was carried on shoulders as fans chanted that West Ham had “sold our soul” by relocating to the former Olympic stadium.
That initial home victory of the season against Newcastle had failed to reduce unhappiness with joint-owner the chairman and vice-chair Baroness Brady. Although hardly the first dissent of their tenure, a critical mass is approaching. That will only be furthered by the ongoing threat of relegation.
Game Summary
Pre-match positive vibes were at least given off by the young midfielder, teenage star of that victory over Newcastle, once more in the lineup in the engine room. He has the look of the classic West Ham midfielder: erect, composed, capable of picking a pass, with plenty of aggression in the tackle, as evidenced by an early challenge to stop Loum Tchaouna.
The Burnley manager their gaffer was such a player for West Ham, the one-man team of their 2010-11 relegation season. His players initially showed the caution of an outfit who had taken – with 7.4 – the lowest ever average shots per game across a top-flight campaign to date.
If Flemming had met a delivery from Hartman, Burnley could have grabbed an early lead. West Ham did little to lift the mood of a London Stadium filled with conversation rather than chants, and by the 20-minute mark, Burnley were setting about increasing that shot average. The Brazilian received his fifth yellow of the term and therefore suspension for clattering Florentino Luís.
Turning Points
- Flemming had another chance by nodding in Burnley’s goal, allowed by a defender to nod in. Their lack of attempts is levelled out by a clinical finishing.
- It was then that West Ham lift themselves, an effort from Bowen going off target, Callum Wilson at last in the action. After the winger dribbled into the area, the No 9 nodded home to level the score on the stroke of half time.
- As a former Millwall player, Flemming received some barracking from home fans, but continued to show good technique while leading the Burnley line, and headed another chance narrowly over the bar.
In spite of a taped actor pep talk in the concourses; the supporters were slow to return to their places after the break.
Second Half Drama
Potts pulling up with a muscle problem was another sad sight for the faithful, Soucek replacing him before the team had an improved spell, Summerville’s buzzing movement to the fore, though the forward was short of his typical impact.
The Burnley manager, sensing an away win was possible, introduced Hannibal Mejbri and Armando Broja, with starting players making way. Nuno’s withdrawal of the goalscorer for a defensive player, showed his lack of options in the forward line.
The midfielder continues as a Hammers talisman, his collection of crucial strikes usually as untidy as his close-range bundling home of a effort from Paquetá, after a set-piece, that the opposition keeper Martin Dubravka could only deflect into the Czech’s path. Their earlier organization and effectiveness had vanished as Walker-Peters sealed the win after a surge from Soucek. Burnley were dead level with the Hammers in the table until a late strike from Cullen, another untidy bundle home after a error by the keeper in the Frenchman, decided the match. A tough journey lies ahead for each team.
