A hugely entertaining game between West Ham and Burnley at London Stadium finished 4-2 to the home side on an emotional day for football across the country.Â
Two goals from Felipe Anderson, one from Marko Arnautovic and another from Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez were enough to give the three points to the home side in a game that could have been won at halftime, such was the Hammers’ dominance.Â
A poignant start even before the game as a minute’s silence was held for Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the four others who lost their lives after the devastating helicopter crash and to commemorate Remembrance Day next week.Â
West Ham started the game the better side and were immediately on the front foot, on the 10th minute James Tarkowski was robbed of possession by Arnautovic in front of his own box, the Austrian had enough time to coolly slot past former Hammers keeper Joe Hart and give the home side the lead. Â
West Ham continued to dominate the game but were unable to add a second. Some lovely link-up play between Felipe Anderson and Marko Arnautovic saw the Brazilian receive the ball from hi team mate, before playing a lovely one-two but as the Austrian was played in, Hart brilliantly pushed his effort wide.Â
West Ham had another glorious opportunity to add a second before the break. This time Felipe Anderson was played in by Robert Snodgrass down the left flank. As the Brazilian forward cut on to his favoured right foot, his shot beat Hart but was magnificently headed clear off the line by Ben Mee, to the amazement of the crowd and players alike.Â
As West Ham struggled to capitalize on their dominance, Burnley made them pay. Gudmundsson was played through by Westwood, the Icelandic international slotted past Fabianski in the West Ham goal, what was only their first attack of note.Â
A scrappy second half was brought to life when Felipe Anderson gave the home side the lead for a second time. On the 67th minute, Diangana found space as West Ham counterattacked, the young winger passing to Anderson whilst being fouled, giving the Brazilian forward a clear path to goal. He made no mistake as his low effort beat Hart to restore West Ham’s lead. Â
Burnley again responded with quarter of an hour left, Chris Wood shortly after coming on as a substitute equalising from a corner. West Ham however, would have the last laugh as they went on to score again, making it 3-2.Â
Felipe Anderson had shown his quality throughout, and when Arnautovic played him in the Brazilian curled his effort past Hart. Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez killed any lingering doubts as he made it 4-2 in injury time, a lovely chested pass from Antonio put the Mexican through, Hernandez made no mistake expertly finishing.
