Premier LeagueWest Ham United 3-2 Burnley
Saturday, 8th November 2025
by Chris Wilkerson | Forum match thread
West Ham United made it two wins from two this Saturday afternoon, coming from behind once again to win back-to-back games for the first time since February as Scott Parker's vibrant Burnley side were beaten 3-2 at the London Stadium.
A header from Flemming had given the away side the lead, but a classic poacher's goal from Wilson made it level before half-time, before Soucek scored as a striker once again and Walker-Peters gave The Hammers a third when bundling home from close range. Former Hammer Josh Cullen got one back in stoppage time, but too late to make a difference.It means West Ham can go into this international break with a spring in their step, with more points from the last two games than they had picked up in the rest of the season. For the manager, his reign truly has lift off, his starting team working and solutions from the bench being found in unlikely circumstances.
He could hardly have asked for better scorers, with his striker getting a confidence boosting goal, and both Soucek and Walker-Peters scoring from their new more advanced positions when coming off the bench.
On a day of more protests, the pressure sustained by a fanbase that will not sit quietly, there were no scenes similar to those seen seven years ago in this fixture, where a lifeless performance inspired more drastic and less controlled outrage that spilled from the stands and onto the pitch.
The West Ham side was unchanged, looking to build on last weekend's first home win since February with another in what was already dubbed a relegation six-pointer. On another sunny Autumn day, The Hammers were facing yet another game that could have ramifications across their whole season.
The Hammers started well, Potts and Fernandes both looking confident and prominent in midfield, with both busy in their movement. The home side had the better of things to start, but after failing to create, they allowed Burnley to slowly take control after 15 minutes of play.
The visitors have recorded the lowest average possession in the league so far this season at 35%, but there were no signs that Parker's team were at all ball-shy as they made all the play.
It seemed to be sparked from an opening that could have come to much more, such were the fine margins of the final ball. A long diagonal found the left back Hartman flying down the wing and meeting the ball with a perfect volley from the left, in line with the penalty area, that bounced fast across the face of goal.
Fortunately for West Ham, the ball just drifted towards goal, and just out of reach of Flemming, who slid desperately to try and find the touch that was needed. He couldn't.
From there, it was the Clarets in charge. Ugochukwu was a dominant presence in midfield, and his powerful, Yaya Toure-esque running through the middle caused problems.
Behind him, former academy graduate Josh Cullen was playing wonderfully, doing a calm job of plugging gaps and keeping the ball ticking over. Cullen is clearly good enough now to be a player West Ham could have used, but it's to the club's credit (and even more to the player himself) that they did not halt his career, instead letting him leave to get the experience that has brought him to this point.
Having looked comfortably the better team for 20 minutes, Burnley's prominence got the reward it deserved as they took the lead. West Ham were pulled out of their shape by a direct pass from wide into Flemming up front, and the big striker did his job, cushioning down a header to a teammate and moving on into the area.
It was down to Tchaouna, and Diouf was isolated with the man on the edge of the box to close down, but Ugochukwu wide of him and free, too. He stayed stuck between, and it was too easy for the ball to roll wide to Ugochukwu and then be delivered into the box.
The cross was perfect for Flemming, a step in front of his run and easy to attack, with Kilman struggling to get out towards it, and the striker powered it down into the bottom corner, down to Areola's left and in to give his side the lead in a crucial game.
It woke West Ham up, and now that Nuno has found a way to get his team playing, and not capitulating when conceding, his next step will be to find this kind of play before it's needed as a response to going behind.
The home side were up at the other end straight away, a Kilman header blocked on its way to goal, and a Wilson header blocked by the defender at the near post after a sharp move down the wing. They were given a reminder of the threat Burnley had on the counter, with Wan-Bissaka saving the day with a last-ditch touch to stop a clear chance on goal for Flemming.
As half-time drew close, a West Ham corner paid dividends. They went short with it, Summerville going short and getting it back, then driving in off the byline and into the box.
He darted across it, angling away as he tried to find space in a congested area. His eventual shot was blocked, but it bounced up off the heel of a Sunderland defender and popped up right in front of Callum Wilson, who nodded home from a couple yards out to score.
What Wilson lacks in presence, this is where he makes up for i, peeling into spaces and using that striker's instinct to pick up goals from small moments of opportunity. It was his second of the season, and got his side level on the cusp of half-time.
The Hammers could feel relieved to go into the break level, having allowed the game to drift away from them far too easily in the first 45 minutes.
Unchanged at the break, neither side could find much impetus as the second half started with more tension and less pace to play. It was neither bad nor good, and nothing really happened before Potts was forced off by injury. Soucek replaced him, but the change in midfield saw the home side falter, just enough to see Burnley now shading things.
Substitute Bruun Larsen had half a chance, heading a cross from Ugochukwu into Areola's arms.
Both managers made changes. With around 20 minutes to go, Nuno replaced the tiring Wilson, moving Soucek up front and introducing Magassa into the midfield. Parker was more drastic, replacing arguably his side's two best players as Flemming and Ugochukwu were replaced by Broja and Hannibal.
At this point, his team had dominated possession in the second half, with 63%, and interesting change for the side who had been averaging the lowest possession share in the league so far at 35%.
Whilst Cullen had been smart and tidy, Ugochukwu had dominated the midfield with his physicality, breaking the lines to burst through on the ball, with the energy to make an impact at both ends.
The changes brought the life into the game it had been missing. Summerville was set away after a great break from Fernandes, only for the Dutch winger to make his way into the box and fire into the sidenetting. Moments later, Bowen could have done better in space, shooting directly at Dubravka from 20 yards out.
Fernandes's energy had brought a lift, and West Ham showed that extra bit of quality by making the most of their opportunities.
A corner was flicked to the far side of the area, and Paqueta did fantastically well to control on the chest and then curl a half-volley at goal. Dubravka made the save as it fired across goal, but his hands were weak, and he could only flick it on towards the far post to his right.
Flying in on the back post was Tomas Soucek, old reliable, and the makeshift striker bounced it in off his chest from a couple yards out and into the open net to give West Ham the lead with a touch over 10 minutes left to play.
The Czech star, who shared celebration of 250 appearances each for the club at full time, went level with Patrik Berger as the Czech player with the most Premier League goals. Two games up top have seen two goals, and the manager's decision has paid off handsomely.
With a lead, the side looked confident. Fernandes was fighting for every scrap, punching the air to the fans' delight after winning a 50/50 in midfield.
The away side struggled to create, although one driven ball into the box by Kyle Walker could have been so much more had Anthony got more than the slightest flick to it in front of goal, with Paqueta reacting well to clear once it had deflected into the box off Areola's leg.
Nuno used the opportunity to freshen West Ham legs, whilst shoring things up at the back. On came Walker-Peters for Summerville, and Igor replaced Paqueta as a back five was deployed.
But as defensive as those substitutions looked, both played key parts in extending the lead and scoring a third with three minutes left, surely securing the points. Igor and Fernandes had comfortable possession in the middle, passing it back and forth, looking for space to open up.
It was Igor who spotted it, driving a ball square to Soucek, 10 yards inside the Burnley half. He pushed forward, and found himself under minimal pressure. With space on the edge of the box, the midfielder drilled a low effort across goal and down to Dubravka's right.
The goalkeeper should have done better, fumbling it out right into the path of Walker-Peters, who beat Bowen to the ball to slot home his first West Ham goal and put his side into a 3-1 lead.
To Burnley's credit, they never stopped trying to find a way back into the game. Unfortunately for them, the only chance they could create came with barely a second left to play. Hannibal found space outside the box to power an effort at goal, and Areola misjudged it, so much so that the force pulled his arms back as he went to catch above his head.
His glovework failed him, fumbling and then dropping the ball. Cullen was at his toes, poking it at goal as the ?EUR~keeper got two hands onto the ball, but not enough to be in control. If it had to be anyone, it was nice it was Cullen.
There was time for West Ham to kick off, but the final whistle blew instantly, putting Nuno's Hammers level on points with Burnley, albeit the late goal knocking them down from level on goal difference to two goals behind their visitors.
What a difference time makes. The last two international breaks were sweet relief from the misery of West Ham. Now, it's getting in the way of momentum. Bournemouth away is about as hard a game as you get right now, but it will be a West Ham with some spirit that meets them.
Manager's Rating
Nuno Espirito Santo: 8/10 Needs to sort out how they start, but has done fantastically to get them playing, improve their resolve, and now seems to know his squad. Substitutions all worked, a big tick.
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Click to view all West Ham United vs Burnley match reports Click to view all match reports by Chris Wilkerson Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.Player Ratings
Alphonse AreolaNothing he can do with the first, but very poor for the second. Misjudged the original shot and then spilled when he should have taken in.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
One excellent interception at the back saved the day, and kept Anthony quiet, a winger who's had a great start to the season. Had a very good game defensively.
El Hadji Malick Diouf
Still has the odd moment where he's not putting his winger under enough pressure, but hard to fault him too much on the first goal as going to either man would have left the other in too much space. Pushed forward and offered an attacking threat.
Max Kilman
Too lax on the first goal, needed to be finding his striker after the nod down and making him his, and his passive defending has been his issue this year. Recovered, but should have done better. Nice to see him carrying the ball forward again.
Jean-Clair Todibo
Busier than his partner, and his passing is a real asset in this team. Looks like he's got his head in the game since Nuno brought him back in.
Freddie Potts
Another good game, cut short by what is being called a dead leg, although looked like a hamstring injury. Not as busy or as effective as the magnificent Fernandes, but played his role as he needs to. He's strong in the tackle and shows no fear, whilst being tall and strong enough to match the challenge of this level.
Mateus Fernandes
Most chances created, one misplaced pass, busy in defence, carried well, played smart forward passes, and passed into the final third more than anyone. He wanted it, he wanted the ball and he wanted the fight to win it back.
Lucas Paqueta
Not quite the all action display of last week, but a good one still. The shot for Soucek's goal was incredibly skilful, curling that on the bounce from an angle. Enjoying his time with his two new midfield teammates.
Crysencio Summerville
Questions have come up about his output with goals, but the assist today came from him threatening goal and using his pace and trickery to scare defenders in their own box. His carrying from deep and pace on the counter is a massive asset to this team.
Jarrod Bowen
Not at his best, but you don't get much lower than a 7/10 from Bowen as he works relentlessly, always threatens, and carries the weight of being the star man well. Shooting boots not quite at their best.
Callum Wilson
Still on the periphery, but he works to find space and that paid off today, finding himself right where he needed to be and reacting sharply to head home.
Substitutes
Tomas Soucek(Potts 61') Looked a bit lost in midfield, but he's got a striker's instinct in the box, whilst having the physical presence many lack.
Soungoutou Magassa
(Wilson 70') Slotted in nicely, disciplined in position and calm on the ball.
Kyle Walker-Peters
(Summerville 82') First goal and great work to get there.
Igor Julio
(Paqueta 83') Brought on to shore up the defence, had a had in West Ham's final goal.
Mads Hermansen
Did not play.
Airidas Golambeckis
Did not play.
Guido Rodriguez
Did not play.
Andy Irving
Did not play.
Luis Guilherme
Did not play.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Alphonse Areola, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Freddie Potts, Mateus Fernandes, Lucas Paqueta, Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen, Callum Wilson.Goals: Callum Wilson 44 Tomas Soucek 77 Kyle Walker-Peters 87 .
Booked: Lucas Paqueta 0 Mateus Fernandes 0 .
Sent Off: None sent off. .
Burnley: Dubravka, Walker, Tuanzebe, Esteve, Hartman (Pires 81), Cullen (c), Florentino, Tchaouna (Larsen 67), Ugochukwu (Hannibal 71), Anthony (Edwards 81), Flemming (Broja 71).
Subs not used: Weiß, Ekdal, Laurent, Foster.
Goals: Flemming (35), Cullen (90+7).
Booked: Flemming, Walker.
Sent off: None.
Referee: Michael Salisbury.
Attendance: 62,449.
Man of the Match: Mateus Fernandes.