West Ham’s woes continue against Burnley
West Ham fell to their fourth defeat in five games with a 3-0 home loss to Burnley. Goals from Ashley Barnes and a brace from Chris Wood in the last 25 minutes put the Hammers three points from safety. Despite the miserable result, it is the fans reaction that made the headlines though.
Scoreline too sore for Moyes
Before Ashley Barnes’ opener, Burnley were yet to even register a shot on target. The Hammers were pushing for a goal and their efforts couldn’t have been faltered for their first-half performance.
West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic went close before the interval, while playmaker Manuel Lanzini, was only denied by a smart save from the legs of Burnley keeper Nick Pope.
The home side also might have had a first-half penalty as well when full-back Aaron Cresswell’s cross seemed to strike Burnley winger Aaron Lennon’s arm.
West Ham manager David Moyes told Match of the Day that he felt his side deserved more: “Up until the goal you wouldn’t have thought that it would have been such a bad day. We had played well enough to be in front but the first goal quickly altered things.”
Chaos from the stands
Two fans invaded the pitch soon after Burnley bagged their opener. One seemed to confront Mark Noble with the atmosphere turning decidedly sour.
Minutes later, substitute Chris Wood doubled the away sides lead. Finding space in the 18 yard box to slot the ball past West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart at the first time of asking. This sparked another fan to run onto the pitch, this time taking the corner flag with him as he ran towards the centre circle. After a few moments, he was finally ushered away by stewards.
With 10 minutes left, Wood bagged his second after Hart spilled a shot into the striker’s path. This prompted West Ham fans to leave their seats, not for the exits, but to remonstrate on the concourse in front of joint-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan.
What next for West Ham?
The Hammers defence is in need of an emergency shake-up, having lost their last three league games in a row by a margin of three or more goals for the first time since March 2008.
West Ham are likely to face disciplinary action from FA for being unable to stop the pitch invasion, however, that is the least of the clubs worries.
Next up is Southampton. A six-pointer in the relegation battle, as 16th face 17th. Should they fail to pick up points in that encounter, then the next three games are no easier. Chelsea and Arsenal away are either side of another relegation contest against Stoke at home. West Ham need to find a way to win and fast at that.
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