Chris Wood made the difference for Burnley, with the striker scoring two and assisting one in a 3-0 win over West Ham. Here are four things we learned from today's game.
Joe Hart’s return overshadowed by Nick Pope
Back-to-back 4-1 Premier League defeats forced David Moyes to tinker with his system and one of those sacrificed from the XI was goalkeeper Adrian. Joe Hart made his first league start since West Ham’s 4-0 loss to Everton back in November in West Ham’s welcome of Burnley. It started off poorly for Hart, though, as a mixup in communication between himself and Angelo Ogbonna at the back allowed Burnley to apply pressure to the Hammers goal, which - fortunately for Hart - amounted to nothing. There was a let off, too, for Hart early in the second half as Ashley Barnes thought he’d fired Burnley ahead, but was flagged offside.
For supporters and the watching world, though, it was a timely reminder of his goalkeeping ineptitude. There was a reason Hart was dropped from the starting XI and he did his West Ham, nor England, chances any good with a sub-par performance. Conversely, Nick Pope churned out yet another solid display for the Clarets, which included a wonderful first half stop to deny Manuel Lanzini, when all within the London Stadium thought the Hammers star had scored.
Hart did his chances of retaining his England spot no good with the West Ham goalkeeper at fault for Chris Wood’s second and Burnley’s third in what was a miserable performance from the player and the east London side. For Pope, though, it was another example of his quality as he outshone his compatriot in the capital.
James Tarkowski performance ahead of the England squad announcement
Like Nick Pope, James Tarkowski is vying for a place in the England squad and is expected to be handed a call up by Gareth Southgate when he announces his team next week. The centre-back was in fine form for Burnley on Saturday as he kept another clean sheet having kept the West Ham offensive at bay with consummate ease.
Indeed, Tarkowski won five aerial duels, blocked one shot and made six clearances in another clean sheet attaining performance at the London Stadium. If there is any player deserving of international recognition, it’s the defender, who has been a shining light for a bright Burnley side this season. He stepped into Michael Keane’s boots impressively at the beginning of the season and churned out another fine display at the heart of the Clarets backline.
#WHUBUR
Burnley keep up the pressure for a top-6 finish
Burnley’s recent 11-match winless run, brought to an end with a 2-1 win over Everton last weekend, was the third longest of its kind in the Premier League this season. Yet, despite the mammoth downturn in form, the Clarets remain 7th and just two points behind Arsenal in the race for a top-6 finish after today. While they don’t score often, Burnley concede few too and that was again the case at the London Stadium.
Sean Dyche’s side secured another crucial three points to keep the pressure on Arsenal in the race for a top-6 finish. The Gunners host Watford in a match they’re expected to win, but Burnley are making a fine case for a European spot in what was a hugely professional performance at the London Stadium. Having weathered the first half storm, they punished a downtrodden West Ham to secure a second consecutive victory.
Fans protest
There was supposed to be an organised march against the West Ham board prior to the welcome of Burnley on Saturday, but that was eventually called off. However, while West Ham were the better of the two teams in the first half, they fell apart once Chris Wood was brought on. He provided the assist for Ashley Barnes’ opener before getting on the scoresheet himself and it was Burnley’s second goal that sparked fan protest in front of the directors’ box.
Supporters haven’t been happy with the club’s owners for some time now and it all boiled over on Saturday. As soon as Wood scored his first, supporters sprinted and chanted at the directors box, with ‘Sack the board’ ringing out throughout the stadium. The clouds darkened over the London Stadium as the minutes ticked towards the 90, but the storm came to the fore inside the stadium as supporters voiced their discontent of the board.
