West Ham secured a monumental 2-0 win over Burnley to pile pressure on Nottingham Forest in the fight for Premier League survival.
The Hammers went to Turf Moor knowing nothing but a win would do.
Especially after West Ham’s owners instructed Nuno Espirito Santo that was the case this week.
And particularly following the other big relegation six-pointer between Leeds and Nottingham Forest on Friday night.
Leeds beat Sean Dyche’s Forest 3-1, meaning West Ham had the Tricky Trees in their sights.
But the Hammers had to ensure they did their job at Burnley.
New great escape is on for West Ham
Thankfully Nuno Espirito Santo’s side did just that – going 2-0 up by half-time for the second week running, but this time holding on to take all three points.
Now Nuno’s West Ham are literally breathing down the necks of his former club Nottingham Forest.
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Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images
That was after Nuno was proved right on three big calls and West Ham’s 9/10 trio shone to secure a crucial win that will have Forest sweating.
Crysencio Summerville became the first West Ham player since Jesse Lingard to score five games in a row as he gave the Hammers the lead by rounding off an electric break.
Summerville has been unplayable of late, earning a nomination for Premier League player of the month.
Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images
But his goal, a delicately chipped finish over Martin Dubravka after making a brilliant run into the box, was just as much about that man Mateus Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfield ace has been West Ham’s player of the season hands down and he stole the ball in midfield before surging forward 40 yards before releasing a perfectly-weighted through ball for Summerville with the outside of his “wrong” foot.
West Ham have scored some wonderful goals of late and another viciously incisive, sharp attack saw El Hadji Malick Diouf whip in a brilliant cross from the left touchline straight onto the head of the on-rushing Taty Castellanos.
The Argentine was having his best game yet in a West Ham shirt, holding up the ball, working hard and being a real nuisance.
His brilliantly applied headed finish added the cherry on the cake.
West Ham could and should have strengthened their lead but didn’t. That gave Burnley some encouragement to throw everything at them in the second half.
Nuno proved right as 9/10 trio pile pressure on Forest
But the Hammers stood firm, kept what was only their second clean sheet of the season and secured a vital three points which puts them within three of Nottingham Forest and lessens the goal difference to a gap of just four.
Nuno made three huge calls for the game which were heavily criticised by many fans before kick-off.
Describe Mads Hermansen’s West Ham return in ONE word! 🧤
Dropping Alphonse Areola for Mads Hermansen, bringing in Axel Disasi for his debut when he has not played competitive football since April and starting Callum Wilson over grafter Pablo.
It is fair to say he was vindicated on all three calls to show why he is the manager.
West Ham player ratings vs Burnley:
Mads Hermansen, 8/10: A big shock but the call was vindicated by the fact West Ham kept only their second clean sheet of the season. And it has been Mads Hermansen in goal for both of them. After a shaky start, the Dane showed the reasons he started over Areola. Hermansen showed much more control of his area, was quicker and braver in venturing off his line, did all the basics well, had good distribution on the whole and better communication with his defence compared to the more shy and retiring Areola.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 8/10: Another excellent performance from the Spider Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Brilliant in both defence and attack, he continues to look like one of the best bits of business West Ham have done in years.
Konstantinos Mavropanos, 8.5/10: Big Greek Konstantinos Mavropanos put in one of his best defensive displays for some time – albeit against a poor Burnley side – and this time he did it without making his obligatory mistake leading to a goal.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Axel Disasi, 8/10: Super solid debut for on loan Chelsea centre-back Disasi. Looks the steady, calm, strong defensive character West Ham have needed. Did not put a foot wrong and even ventured up field to let fly for a shot on target towards the end.
El Hadji Malick Diouf, 8/10: Got a brilliant assist for Taty’s goal and his passing was excellent. Subbed off for Ollie Scarles, who was solid at the back when he came on.
Tomas Soucek, 7.5/10: The ever reliable and dependable Tomas Soucek always does so much selfless work and running off the ball for the team. That was never more important than against Burnley and the big Czech stood up to be counted despite not having the most free-flowing game on the ball.
Mateus Fernandes, 9/10: He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere is Fernandes. The 21-year-old plays with a maturity belying his tender years and it is no wonder Man United and Real Madrid are sniffing around Fernandes. Played a key part in both goals, particularly the first. The deeper role really suits him and his explosiveness too. Brilliant and man of the match, again.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Crysencio Summerville, 9/10: Simply unplayable again. Crysencio Summerville probably has Kyle Walker planning his retirement and the England man was given the benefit of the doubt on a number of questionable fouls on West Ham’s flying Dutchman. Scored for fifth game in a row and just behind Fernandes in terms of man of the match.
Jarrod Bowen, 7.5/10: Not Jarrod Bowen at his outstanding best but he was crucial at both ends of the pitch and it should be noted he is playing through injury for the Hammers right now.
Callum Wilson, 7/10: Decent effort and lasted 55 minutes but did not have too many sniffs at goal to continue his remarkable record against Burnley.
Taty Castellanos, 9/10: Absolutely brilliant from the Argentine forward Valentin Castellanos. He barely gave the ball away, held it up well, linked play, worked himself into the ground and topped it off with a superbly taken first Premier League goal.
Nuno Espirito Santo, 10/10: Got all the big calls right and deserves credit when it is due.
Subs:
Freddie Potts and Pablo, 7/10: Both worked really hard and helped ensure West Ham held on for all three points.
Kyle Walker-Peters, Ollie Scarles and Adama Traore, N/A: Not on long enough for a rating.
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