Crysencio Summerville's Late Heroics Secure West Ham's FA Cup Progress
Crysencio Summerville once again proved his immense value to West Ham United, scoring a crucial extra-time goal to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over League One side Burton Albion in the FA Cup. The dramatic win at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday 14 February 2026 sent the Hammers through to the competition's last 16, though they were pushed to the limit by their determined third-tier opponents.
Summerville's Purple Patch Continues
Summerville, who entered the match as an 83rd-minute substitute for Ollie Scarles, broke the deadlock just five minutes into extra time. Picking up the ball on the left touchline inside the Burton half, the 24-year-old Dutch winger embarked on a dazzling solo run, beating two defenders before seeing his shot deflect off Terence Vancooten and loop over goalkeeper Brad Collins.
This marked Summerville's sixth goal in his last seven appearances for West Ham, a remarkable turnaround for a player who managed just one goal in his first 38 games after joining from Leeds United in the summer of 2024. His scoring spree began during West Ham's third-round FA Cup victory over QPR and has coincided with an improved Premier League run of three wins in five matches.
Nuno's Tactical Changes and Post-Match Comments
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo made ten changes to his starting lineup against a Burton side battling relegation concerns in League One. The Hammers struggled to find rhythm throughout regulation time, laboring against a well-organized defensive unit.
"He's in a good moment," Nuno said of Summerville's current form. "Summerville is full of confidence. Everything that he does seems to go well, so we have to take advantage of it. With forward players you know how it is. It's all about confidence because many of the actions are individual. He's in a good moment, he's working for the team, he knows that he can make the difference."
The Portuguese manager also defended midfielder Freddie Potts, who was sent off in the closing stages for a challenge on Julian Larsson. "I didn't see the images so it was not fair for me to judge the decision," Nuno stated. "But I insist again, I feel Freddie Potts is not a violent player. He's very fair. He's aggressive, he has to be, but he's not violent at all."
Burton's Valiant Effort and Manager's Perspective
Burton Albion, sitting fourth from bottom in League One, delivered a disciplined performance that frustrated their Premier League opponents for much of the afternoon. The Brewers limited West Ham to half-chances while creating opportunities of their own, though they lacked the final quality to seriously test goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Manager Gary Bowyer believed his side should have been awarded a first-half penalty when Jake Beesley went down under a challenge from Konstantinos Mavropanos. "The way we took a Premier League team to the last seconds of extra time is a credit to the boys and the football club," Bowyer said proudly.
"We started the game well. We knew they'd made 10 changes so it takes a while to get into the flow. Our pitch as well is a bit of leveller so we knew there were opportunities for us. In the key moments we haven't quite been able to execute them and then it's a piece of quality from Summerville. It's what he can do, isn't it?"
West Ham's Nervy Finish and Cup Progression
Despite Summerville's breakthrough goal, West Ham faced a tense conclusion to the match after Potts' dismissal forced them to play the final 20 minutes with ten men. The Hammers defended resolutely to preserve their slender advantage and secure passage to the FA Cup's fifth round.
This victory continues West Ham's improved form across competitions, with Summerville's resurgence providing a significant boost to their Premier League survival hopes and cup ambitions. The Dutch international's injury-plagued first season at the London Stadium, which saw him suffer a hamstring injury last January, now seems a distant memory as he establishes himself as a key difference-maker for Nuno's side.
