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Frustration and anger continue to pervade the concrete corridors of the home ground, a place that remains far from their true home for West Ham United. However, optimism persists. A second victory at home in a row for the side managed by Nuno, with the key goal coming from long-serving the Czech midfielder. The defeat of fellow relegation contender Burnley could be crucial in the battle to prevent Championship football at the London Stadium in the coming campaign.

Fan Discontent Reaches a Peak

Fans had already expressed yet again, and in clear language, what they think of the executives running the club. Following a demonstration targeting a previous opponent, boycotting the match versus Brentford, and a sit-in versus Newcastle, unhappy supporters staged a march. A banner read “15 years of failing West Ham United”. The access route that surrounds the ground was filled with thousands of demonstrators, and the entrance for executive vehicles was barricaded. Black balloons floated, a coffin was carried on shoulders as fans sang that West Ham had “sold our soul” by relocating to the former Olympic stadium.

That initial home victory of the campaign versus the Magpies had done nothing to dim dissatisfaction with joint-owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Baroness Brady. Although not the initial dissent of their tenure, a critical mass is approaching. This is exacerbated by the ongoing threat of the drop.

Match Overview

Optimism before kickoff were at least given off by the young midfielder, youth standout of that victory over Newcastle, again starting in the engine room. He has the look of the classic Hammers’ central player: erect, strolling, able to distribute well, with no little bite in the tackle, as evidenced by an early challenge to halt Loum Tchaouna.

The Burnley manager Scott Parker was a similar type for the Hammers, the key figure of their campaign ending in demotion. The Burnley squad began with the caution of an team who had registered – with seven point four – the lowest ever shots per match across a Premier League campaign to date.

If Flemming had met Quilindschy Hartman’s cross, the visitors could have grabbed an opening goal. The home side did little to lift the atmosphere of a home ground filled with conversation rather than chants, and by the 20-minute mark, Burnley were beginning to boost that attempts statistic. Lucas Paquetá received his fifth yellow of the term and therefore a ban for clattering Florentino Luís.

Turning Points

• Flemming got to live twice by heading home Burnley’s goal, with Maximilian Kilman to nod in. Burnley’s shot-shyness is balanced by a high conversion rate.
• It was then that the Hammers lift themselves, Jarrod Bowen’s shot deflecting wide, Callum Wilson at last involved in proceedings. Once Crysencio Summerville skated into the box, the No 9 nodded home to level the score on the brink of halftime.
• Having played for rivals Millwall, Flemming was heckled from home fans, but still displayed some neat touches while spearheading the attack, and directed another header just over.

Despite a taped actor rallying cry in the stadium areas; the home fans were slow to return to their seats after the break.

Second Half Drama

The youngster’s injury with a muscle problem was further disappointment for home fans, Soucek replacing him before West Ham had an better period, Summerville’s buzzing movement to the front, though the forward was short of his typical impact.

The Burnley manager, smelling a chance for victory, introduced Hannibal Mejbri and Armando Broja, with starting players departing. The manager’s substitution of Wilson for Soungoutou Magassa, highlighted limited choices in attack.

Soucek remains a Hammers talisman, his deck of important goals usually as untidy as his close-range bundling home of a effort from Paquetá, after a set-piece, that the Burnley goalkeeper the shot-stopper could only deflect into the Czech’s path. Their earlier organization and efficiency had vanished as Walker-Peters wrapped up the points after Soucek drove forward. Burnley were tied on points with the Hammers in the standings until a late strike from Cullen, another untidy bundle home after a mistake by the keeper in Alphonse Areola, separated them. A long road lies ahead for each team.