West Ham started slowly and grew into the game as Burnley opened the scoring: A stupid late mistake by Alphonse Areola made the score closer than it should have been, but a win at a canter again for Nuno’s men. More later in the afternoon with the ‘final whistle, first impressions’ article due soon.

Player ratings: Normally Gonzo’s speciality but you’ll have my perspective this afternoon. First half scores in brackets.

Areola (5) 5 Nothing to do in the first half apart from picking the ball out of his own net: No chance with the first. One brilliant throw-out setting up a Bowen run on goal in 2nd half , one decent save – and a fabulous injury time save for the highlights reel. BUT a big, big mistake dropping the ball from a simple shot to allow Burnley’s 96th minute second.

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Wan Bissaka ( 6)  7 Brilliant last-ditch heel interception to stop a sure fire Burnley second. Good second half understanding with Bowen on the RH side as his legs carried on running.

Kilman (4)  5 At fault again for Burnley’s goal: No challenge on the ball as he was out-jumped by Flemming who had a clear unopposed header which he buried. Slightly more solid second half but still a worry.

Todibo (4) 6 Very lucky to escape being wrong sided and losing Fleming after 15 minutes: Not an impressive first half. Ditto second half – slightly more solid and less of a concern as West Ham looked little less vulnerable at the back.

Diouf (6) 7 Some good wing work popping up on the right wing more than once in the first half. Second half – some monster tackles as his defensive work grew  – and absolutely bossed Kyle Walker going forward.

Fernandes (6) 7.5 Good covering defensive duties on more than one occasion as Paquetá gave the ball away. Buzzed everywhere in the second half looking a threat going forward and covering well. Has a crunching tackle in him.

Potts (7) 7 Not a totally commanding first half but good covering of the pitch and some good interceptions. Looked better in second half but hamstring injury caused a 60th minute substitution.

Paquetá (3) 6 Poor first  half with too many poor tackles, losses of possession and the inevitable yellow card was the least he deserved. Gave the ball away too many times in the first half. Better second half after his yellow card, the threat of further sanction curbed the extremes and Paq- man grew more composed and played without the rashness.

Bowen (6) 7 One decent shot deflected away for a corner. Not enough supply in the first ’45 and frequently crowded out. Short on supply but a couple of good runs in the second half : Was on hand to score the Hammers’ third but beaten to it by Kyle Walker Peters.

Wilson (7) Great foot work and anticipation, stepping back on side to head home West Ham;s first. Classic front man play shows again what is lacking in West Ham’s  squad. Ran out of steam at 70 minutes and was replaced by Soucek.

Summerville (7) 7.5 Lively and a few great runs: Well-worked short corner for the equaliser and super cross for Wilson to head home. Took a full-on Walker crunching tackle just before half time and wondered if he’d come out for the second half. A real threat running forward and great work for West Ham’s equaliser. Never stopped running until his substitution.

Subs

Soucek 8 30 minutes and a back post presence  – perfectly positioned to chest home Paquetá’s cross for West Ham’s second. Vintage Soucek and now West Ham’s supersub: His shot from outside the box was only parried by Burnley’s keeper into the path of Bowen and Walker Peters for the third. So a goal and an assist in 30 minutes.

Magassa 6 Largely invisible 20 minute sub appearance

Walker Peters 8 Another late appearance as Summerville’s midfield replacement -again helped solidify the closing minutes and out sprinted Jarrod Bowen to tap home West Hams third.

Igor Julio 6 Helped set up West Ham’s third.