Hammers sign off with Burnley win

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2016/17 signed off in style; West Ham United’s final day 2-1 win at against Burnley at Turf Moor ensured an eleventh-place finish for Slaven Bilic’s side in the Premier League table.

Sofiane Feghouli’s first half equaliser came before Andre Ayew bagged a sixth goal of the season – his fifth away from home – in the second period to cancel out Sam Vokes’ opener and secure maximum points for the visitors to end the campaign on a high note.

It was a game the Hammers went into on the back of a defeat, but the victory meant Bilic’s men ended the term with just one defeat in their final seven matches, and impressive end-of-term record.

In the sixth minute, Feghouli began the half as he meant to go on, testing Tom Heaton in the Burnley goal when the ball broke to him on the edge of the box before his volley was too central on goal.

Four minutes later, it was Burnley’s turn to scare their opponents – Stephen Ward delivered from the left, but his dangerous cross was just beyond Vokes’ reach.

A Tarwowski header was glanced over soon after, but on 23 minutes, the hosts had the lead.

Andre Gray raced down the right, and crossing low, the ball found its way to Vokes – who tapped in comfortably from eight yards – via Scott Arfield.

The lead did not last long, though. An instant response from Slaven Bilic’s men saw them draw level when Feghouli slotted past Heaton inside the penalty area.

And it was at the end of a lovely move – Fernandes’ patient passing in midfield eventually gave Andre Ayew a chance to flick for the Algerian, something he duly did, allowing the ex-Valencia man to find the back of the net.

Five minutes later, a golden chance again delivered itself for Feghouli – with space and time to find the target from 18 yards, the winger smashed over with the goal at his mercy.

Shortly before the break, Gray flicked wide for the hosts but they made their way back down the tunnel level.

The second half began with little goalmouth action, though the Hammers had the better of the attacking play, winning a number of corners and causing problems particularly down the right through Sam Byram.

And, pushing for the winner, it finally came with 72 minutes on the clock. Edimilson Fernandes, impressive throughout for the away side, lined up a cracking shot from range, though Heaton was equal to the effort, tipping it onto the crossbar.

The ball would only fall for Ayew, however, to score another important goal for West Ham in a strong end to the season for Ghanaian.

There was still time for Manuel Lanzini to curl a free-kick narrowly over, and Declan Rice was handed a first team debut as he came on for the final minutes, but Burnley could not test Adrian in the visiting goal.

And so West Ham ended the season with a win, a win that sees them finish eleventh in the Premier League table, just eight goals outside the top half.

 

Burnley: Heaton, Lowton, Long, Tarkowski, Ward, Brady (Gudmundsson 66), Hendrick, Westwood (Defour 78), Arfield, Gray (Barnes 78), Vokes.

Subs not used: Pope, Flanagan, Darikwa, Agyei.

Goals: Vokes 23

Bookings: Lowton 27, Gudmundsson 86

West Ham United: Adrian, Byram, Fonte, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell (Rice 90+1), Fernandes, Lanzini, Feghouli, Snodgrass, Ayew.

Subs not used: Randolph, Fletcher, Quina, Makasi, Kemp.

Goals: Feghouli 27

Bookings: Collins 18, Lanzini 43