An inspired goalkeeping performance from Nick Pope saw Burnley beat West Ham 1-0 to leave the Hammers looking over their shoulders.
West Ham went into the Burnley match hoping to extend the gap between themselves and the dreaded relegation zone. David Moyes named one change to the starting eleven Andriy Yarmolenko replaced Manuel Lanzini in the line-up.
The big news was that the Hammers welcomed back record-signing Sebastien Haller to the bench. Haller is West Ham’s top goalscorer in the Premier League but has been injured since the restart commenced.
Sean Dyche’s side was without regulars Ben Mee and Jack Cork who were absent with injury, however, key striker Chris Wood was on the bench. Wood has a brilliant record against the West Ham scoring six in his previous five appearances against the Hammers.
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The game started in a competitive fashion. West Ham looked the better of the two sides, pressing Burnley back into their own half. The first effort of the game was from Tomas Soucek, who fired over from thirty yards out early on.
Burnley worked their way back into the game. The Clarets almost took the lead after a good move on the left flank. The ball fell to Erik Pieters in the box, but the full-back could only blast his effort over the goal.
By the time of the first drinks break, neither team had taken full control of the game. Despite some early attacks, there had been very little in terms of clear-cut chances. The Hammers came out of the drinks break looking the most refreshed and created the best chance of the game so far.
A dangerous cross from Ryan Fredericks found Soucek between two Burnley defenders, but his effort was brilliantly kept out by Nick Pope. Pope then bettered that save. Michail Antonio worked some space for himself and fired a shot goalbound. But the Englishman near post shot was denied by his compatriot’s feet.
West Ham was left to rue those missed chances however, Jay Rodriguez met Charlie Taylor‘s whipped cross with a combination of his head and shoulder. The ball flew over Fabianksi and bounced in via the crossbar.
The Hammers almost equalised immediately though Antonio. The 30-year-old was played through the centre and was bearing down on goal. The forward fired his shot passed Pope, but could only find the outside of the post.
West Ham wasn’t giving up and tested Pope again. Antonio laid off the ball to the inform Yarmolenko who in typical fashion cut into his left foot and almost squeezed the ball inside the near post, if not for a good save from the Burnley keeper.
The Hammers came out for the second-half looking lethargic, and the Clarets looked likely to score a second. Burnley forward Matěj Vydra had a couple of opportunities but could not find the target with either of his efforts.
A controversial moment then occurred. Clarets defender James Tarkowski could be feeling quite lucky after a challenge he put on Jarrod Bowen. Much like Eddie Nketiah‘s challenge the previous night, his studs were high and caught Bowen’s leg. Many would-be wondering why VAR didn’t take a look at the challenge.
West Ham started to come alive in search of an equaliser. David Moyes brought on Haller around the hour mark. The Frenchman almost had an immediate impact. Antonio’s deflected effort fell to Haller and his quick shot was well saved by Pope. The 26-year-old will have been disappointed not to have scored with his first touch.
Burnley thought they had wrapped up the match on the 76th minute. Phil Bardsley played a dangerous ball across the face of goal. Substitute Wood beat the Hammers defence to fire home. Wood was ruled offside and was confirmed by VAR, much to the home-sides relief.
Wood was causing the Hammers defence all sorts of problems. The Kiwi got in behind Issa Diop and fired a powerful shot which looked destined for the goal, Fabianski was at hand to make a solid save and Aaron Cresswell was alert to stop the rebound.
David Moyes made one last roll of the dice. The Scot took off Pablo Fornals and gave a chance to forgotten Swiss striker Albian Ajeti and the Hammers went looking for an important goal.
With six minutes of added time, the Hammers were given hop to being able to create something late on. As much as West Ham huffed and puffed they were constantly being foiled by the Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope. The 28-year-old was showing why he is in contention for the Golden Glove.
Defeat for the Hammers leaves them looking over the shoulder at the bottom three. Burnley however, the routine 1-0 win keeps their European dream alive. West Ham will travel to Norwich in their next game, a win there would relegate the Canaries and boost the Hammers.