West Ham 2 Burnley 2
David Moyes’ side welcomed Burnley to the London Stadium. Gareth Southgate was in the stands, which was a surprise to no one, as he looked to check in on his favourite midfielder in Europe. Kalvin Phillips was making his first start for The Hammers after all.
The visitors had obviously not read the script as Fofana barged his way past Phillips before striking a thunderous shot into the top corner. The home fans had been silenced as Vincent Kompany’s side had taken a surprise lead.
West Ham seemed like they were feeling some sort of European hangover as they really struggled to get into the game. It was The Clarets from Turf Moor that were dictating play. You could have been forgiven for thinking it was West Ham who were in the bottom three.
Cullen then twisted and turned out wide before putting a dangerous ball into the box. Mavropanos slid in and diverted the cross past his keeper and into the goal. This immediately spurred boos from the home fans who decided to let their feelings be known.
Credit: @BurnleyOfficial
It does not take much to cause The Hammers’ fans to turn upon David Moyes of late. The fact that they were two-nil down at home against a side who had looked out of their depth in the Premier League was enough to poke the hornets’ nest on this occasion.
The hosts made the perfect start to the second half as Paqueta was sent clean through. With only Trafford to beat, the Brazilian neatly tucked it into the bottom corner to give the home fans some hope that they could still turn this game around.
Moyes’ side had found a renewed energy and were putting the visitors under pressure. A series of corners led to a shot which struck Paqueta in front of goal. West Ham’s goalscorer had inadvertently prevented his side from getting a second.
Kudus was found at the back post and he neatly cut inside the lunging defender. With the goal at his mercy, somehow, the attacker sliced his shot over the bar when it had seemed easier to score. The Hammers looked like scoring every time they came forward now.
Bowen started getting into the game more and only a rugby tackle could stop him. The referee allowed the game to go on as West Ham advanced. As they looked to whip in a cross from the right, it took a deflection and clipped the top of the crossbar, with the keeper beaten.
West Ham thought they had found their equaliser as Danny Ings slotted home. As VAR reviewed the goal, it seems Antonio was just offside in the build-up. The cheers turned to silence as the home fans wondered whether this was not going to be their day.
Credit: @WestHam
In added time, Kudus wrestled Assignon before managing to get his cross in. Ings controlled it, with his back to goal, before swivelling to rifle home. Finally The Hammers had got the goal they craved to draw them level in the game.
There was still time for Burnley to come forward in search of a winner. As the ball broke to Berge on the edge of the box, he drilled an effort for the top corner. It narrowly missed the goal with Areola at full-stretch. So close to a late winner.
The points were shared, not much use to Burnley with all their rivals following suit. West Ham remained in seventh place but they have sides breathing right down their neck now. David Moyes’ team need to find some consistency in their form if they are going to qualify for Europe.
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