news-engine

The Hammers led, and looked comfortable for the first half, after Max Kilman’s simple headed goal from a set piece early in the first half, yet continued to look vulnerable at the back. Stroking the ball around, with both Solomon and Bowen enjoying the freedom of wide spaces of Turf Moor, holding just a one goal lead at half time was never enough as Burnley grew into the game whilst West Ham’s defensive errors stacked up in the second half. West Ham had their warnings. Flemming’s several ‘sighter’ headings all looped harmlessly into Hermansen’s hands or over the bar but three or four time Burnley’s striker rose, unchallenged by Kilman or Mavropanos. On the hour mark, it seemed only a matter of time before he connected properly with one. Indeed no sooner had the words left the keyboard than he did the same again – and cannoned one off the post. Classic Mavropanos non-jump, followed five minutes later by a Scarles header off the line from Flemming again, unchallenged again. You’d think Rui Costa would have been bellowing at his pair of centre backs to get tighter and get a challenge in. Whilst West Ham were just a goal up, their superiority in possession and style counted for nothing. But the evidence of the shortcomings of this Kilman – Mavropanos partnership were evident for all to see. Just at the right moment, a brilliant Kante dribble down the right (which looked very close to the deadball line) and a cross gave Manor Solomon the chance to gleefully bury the chance for his goal on debut. This was not a game that West Ham led because they were better (they were) but because Burnley’s profligacy and bad luck stopped them taking advantage of West Ham’s poor defending. The Hammers rocked as the game wore on and old defensive frailties reminiscent of last season returned. And the game turned on Scarles’ naive defending, which set up a nervy finish by gifting Burnley a lifeline on 82 minutes. Flemming got his goal and the home fans got the finish they wanted as West Ham caved and Flemming hoofed in the equaliser. Welcome to the Championship, West Ham. Woeful defending costs, whatever league you are in.