Summerville's Late Heroics Rescue West Ham in Tense FA Cup Battle
For the second time in recent weeks, Crysencio Summerville emerged as West Ham United's saviour, delivering a crucial goal deep into extra time to secure a narrow victory over Burton Albion in the FA Cup fourth round. The Dutch winger's deflected strike in the 95th minute spared manager Nuno Espirito Santo from a humiliating defeat against League One opposition, but the performance raised serious questions about the team's depth and resilience.
A Struggle Against Lower League Opposition
West Ham's under-strength lineup, featuring ten changes from their previous Premier League match against Manchester United, laboured throughout regulation time against a determined Burton side. The Hammers managed just four shots on target during the initial ninety minutes, with their attacking play characterised by a distinct lack of creativity and precision.
Burton Albion, despite sitting in the League One relegation zone and winless in their last five matches, started brightly and troubled the Premier League visitors early on. Tyrese Shade's long throws and set-piece deliveries caused problems for West Ham's defence, with Sebastian Revan firing wide and Alphonse Areola forced into a save from Shade. Claims for a penalty after a challenge on Jake Beesley were waved away by the referee.
Midfield Battle and Missed Opportunities
The midfield pairing of Soungoutou Magassa and Mohamadou Kante provided physical presence but little inventive spark for West Ham. Their efforts were summed up by Kante's wild shot from twenty-five yards that sailed high over the goal and out of the stadium. Callum Wilson tested Burton goalkeeper Brad Collins with a curling effort from distance, prompting ironic chants of 'We've had a shot' from the travelling supporters.
West Ham improved slightly at the start of the second half, moving the ball quicker and creating half-chances through Adama Traore's runs down the right. Wilson and Ollie Scarles came close to connecting with a low Traore cross, while Konstantinos Mavropanos headed one corner straight at Collins and miscued a volley wide from another set-piece delivery.
Extra-Time Drama and Controversial Red Card
With the score locked at 0-0 after ninety minutes, Nuno Espirito Santo switched to a back four and introduced attacking reinforcements Taty Castellanos and Crysencio Summerville. Although the changes came too late to avoid extra time, Summerville made an immediate impact, cutting inside from the left, jinking past defenders, and seeing his deflected shot swerve and dip into the Burton net.
The drama intensified when West Ham were reduced to ten men after Freddie Potts received a straight red card for a mistimed sliding tackle on Julian Larsson. Burton pressed for an equaliser, with Jack Armer, Kain Adom, and Kyran Lofthouse all flashing shots narrowly wide in extra time. Alphonse Areola saved from Adom, and Kegs Chauke crashed the rebound into the side netting.
Protests and Post-Match Reflection
The match was preceded by off-field controversy, with a light aircraft circling the Pirelli Stadium pulling a protest banner against West Ham's owners. On the pitch, Nuno defended his team selection, claiming there was no risk involved despite fielding such an inexperienced lineup. Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek, and Mateus Fernandes were given the day off, while others started on the bench but were eventually required.
Summerville's goal, his sixth in seven games, ultimately settled the tie and sent West Ham into the FA Cup fifth round. However, the narrow victory against League One strugglers provided little cause for celebration, exposing vulnerabilities that will need addressing if the Hammers are to progress further in the competition.
