Burnley 1-2 West Ham United
Premier League, Turf Moor, Saturday 25 November 2023
Late drama at Turf Moor saw West Ham United fight back from a goal down and secure a 2-1 Premier League victory over Burnley.
The hosts looked to be on their way to a first home win of the season when Jay Rodriguez placed home a penalty early in the second half, with the Hammers’ opportunities limited in Lancashire.
However, Mohammed Kudus’ cross into a dangerous area was turned into the back of the Burnley net courtesy of Clarets defender Dara O’Shea, under pressure by Divin Mubama, levelling the match on 86 minutes.
And there would be even more excitement for the travelling Claret and Blue as the fixture ticked into added time, when Tomáš Souček smashed home a fantastic volley from Kudus cross to claim all three points.
A cold blanket had descended on Burnley for Saturday’s Premier League but, in truth, there was little warm up either set of supporters in the opening 45 minutes at Turf Moor.
West Ham had a glance of the Burnley goal in the opening two minutes when Lucas Paquetá dinked a smart ball into the path of Souček’s late run. Rather than controlling the ball, the midfielder flicked a header towards the target, giving James Trafford an easy catch.
Alphonse Areola comfortably claimed a driven effort by Jóhann Gudmundsson, although the Icelandic’s shot seemed to calm the nervous home fans.
Paquetá was dispossessed of the ball minutes later, allowing Jay Rodrigues to fizz a powerful ball across goal. Zeki Arndouni was just a step or two behind the cross and what would have surely been the opener.
Luca Koleosho registered a powerful shot which Areola saved, before going down in the penalty area following a coming-together with Vladimír Coufal. Referee Sam Barrott’s initial decision was that there was no foul committed by the Czech defender, and therefore no penalty to award. A quick VAR check confirmed the on-field decision.
A first West Ham corner of the match would come on 42 minutes, with Souček attacking James Ward-Prowse’s delivery. The ball drifted harmlessly wide, confirming the goalless scoreline at the interval.
West Ham’s last visit to Turf Moor had been the Club’s last 0-0 result, back in December 2021, and based on the first 45 minutes it would not have been a surprise for Saturday’s outing to end in another stalemate.
Two minutes into the second half, however, Koleosho again worked his way into the West Ham box and, again, went down under the pressure of a challenge. This time, it was by Kudus and, this time, Barrott pointed to the spot. Penalty to Burnley.
Up stepped Rodriguez for the hosts. From 12 yards out, he stroked the ball down the middle. Areola had dived to his right, and the Clarets took the lead.
Going behind added an extra urgency to West Ham’s attack. A Ward-Prowse free-kick into a dangerous area was lashed towards goal by Souček but O’Shea made a vital block, while Paquetá’s volleyed attempt was wide of the woodwork.
Burnley’s Amdouni went close to a second for the home side when he took possession from Nayef Aguerd, but his shot from a narrow angle was palmed away by Areola.
Captain Kurt Zouma had chances in quick succession, spooning over a first-time effort before heading into Trafford’s grateful grasp.
Manager Moyes introduced Saïd Benrahma and Divin Mubama to bring more attacking energy, and the former went close with a curling effort on 83 minutes having been fed down the line by Kudus. His shot had Trafford stranded, but was the wrong side of the post.
Three minutes later, it was the other substitute who stood up when needed. Kudus showed great technique to get to the line, before pulling the ball back into a dangerous area. Amid a sea of bodies six yards out, Mubama forced O'Shea into the decisive touch, turning home from close range for a late leveller.
It seemed the Hammers had done well to fight back and claim a point, but the visitors were not content to leave with the draw. In the first of seven additional minutes at Turf Moor, Kudus recycled a corner with a precise cross.
Souček made the run and superbly volleyed past Trafford, popping up for the second winning goal for the Irons in as many league games.
Burnley: Trafford, Vitinho, O’Shea, Beyer, Taylor, Gudmundsson (Cullen 85), Brownhill ©, Berge, Koleosho (Zaroury 82), Rodriguez, Amdouni (Ramsey 72)
Subs not used: Vigouroux (GK), Roberts, Redmond, Ekdal, Larsen, Obafemi
Goal: Rodriguez pen 49
Booked: Beyer
West Ham United: Areola, Coufal, Zouma ©, Aguerd, Emerson, Álvarez (Benrahma 63), Souček, Ward-Prowse, Kudus, Paquetá, Ings (Mubama 63)
Subs not used: Fabiański, Kehrer, Mavropanos, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Fornals, Cornet
Goals: O’Shea og 86, Souček 90+1
Booked: Álvarez, Aguerd, Coufal
Referee: Sam Barrott
