Matt Scrafton's verdict on Burnley's 3-2 defeat to West Ham
I’ll put my cards on the table nice and early: I thought Burnley played well and were unlucky to lose.
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Burnley boss Scott Parker explains West Ham anger, set-piece frailties and subs](https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/burnley-boss-scott-parker-explains-west-ham-anger-set-piece-frailties-and-subs-5394179 "Burnley boss Scott Parker explains West Ham anger, set-piece frailties and subs")
The frustration at losing such a key game – rightly dubbed a six-pointer prior to kick-off – doubled with the concession of some soft goals maybe justifies the angry reaction in some quarters.
While things have largely been going swimmingly during his 16-month tenure, and there’s been no great need to lambast his players, it’s still quite telling this is the angriest I’ve seen him during his time at Turf Moor.
The 45-year-old looked visibly upset with his players as he questioned their concentration levels and the lack of structure from set-pieces.
There were some strong lines, too. Burnley are in for a “long season” unless they learn to stop switching off at key moments, an exasperated Parker claimed. These issues have been “dragging on for too long”, he added. The Clarets boss even admitted he looks “weak” if he continues to praise his side’s performances when they’re losing.
Perhaps it was just the pure emotion coming out, which is more than understandable when you’ve literally just stepped away from the heat of battle. There was a lot riding on this game, after all.
Maxime Esteve thanks the Burnley fans after the 3-2 defeat to West Ham United. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
Maxime Esteve thanks the Burnley fans after the 3-2 defeat to West Ham United. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
Had Burnley won, they’d have moved six points clear of the dropzone heading into the November international break. Instead, they’re level on points with the Hammers and, with Chelsea up next, the picture down at the bottom end of the table looks a lot grimmer than it certainly could have been.
Context is key
While the mood of a fanbase will always be determined by the end result, Burnley still did a hell of a lot right at the London Stadium on Saturday.
Their first-half display was very, very good. Or “mature” is perhaps a better way to describe it. Going away from home to a Hammers side rejuvenated by last week’s victory against Newcastle, Nuno’s first since taking over, you feared momentum would be on their side.
Burnley pay remembrance prior to kick-off at the London Stadium before kick off. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
Burnley pay remembrance prior to kick-off at the London Stadium before kick off. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
But Burnley managed the game particularly well, taking the sting out of proceedings nice and early and quieting down the crowd.
The only thing lacking was an opening goal to really let the anxiety and groans set in among the home faithful, but that all changed in the 35th minute when Zian Flemming headed home his third goal in as many games.
It was a proper striker’s header, too, the Dutchman heading Lesley Ugochukwu’s cross back to where it came from, giving Alphonse Areola no chance. As a former Millwall man, that must have felt sweet as he brought out that trademark Superman celebration.
Having barely threatened the Burnley goal up to that point, Flemming’s header only served to awaken the Hammers. This is where some nous and game management needed to be applied – the Clarets needed to strap in and see out the remaining minutes and get to the interval with their lead intact.
Goalscorer Zian Flemming heads towards the West Ham United goal. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
Goalscorer Zian Flemming heads towards the West Ham United goal. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
Instead, they switch off from a corner, Crysencio Summerville – West Ham’s main attacking threat all afternoon – was allowed to dance his way into the box, where his goalbound shot deflected off Maxime Esteve and straight to Callum Wilson to head home from a few yards out.
Incidentally, that’s now eight career goals for Wilson against Burnley and he won’t have had many as simple as this one.
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But for Burnley, you can understand why Parker would be so frustrated to concede in such a soft and unnecessary manner, having worked so hard to take the lead.
But again, he’ll also have been equally as encouraged by the way his side responded after the restart.
It helped that Burnley had found themselves in this exact position just two weeks prior, having been pegged back to 2-2 at Wolves after storming into a two-goal lead.
Scott Parker looks dejected after Burnley lose 3-2 at West Ham United. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttardplaceholder image
Scott Parker looks dejected after Burnley lose 3-2 at West Ham United. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
On that occasion they dusted themselves down and managed to wrestle back some control at the start of the second-half, which laid the foundations for that dramatic stoppage-time winner.
It was a similar story here too, only on this occasion the ending was slightly more sour. But the Clarets deserve huge credit for settling things down again and gaining the initiative.
The only thing lacking in the final third was any sort of contribution from the two wide men, which has been a familiar tale for much of the season if we’re being honest. Jaidon Anthony especially has struggled a little since his excellent start to the season, where he scored in four of his first six games. Perhaps a spell out of the team might do him the world of good?
Moans and groans
Anthony was eventually withdrawn, but so were Quildinschy Hartman, Lesley Ugochukwu and Flemming, which raised some eyebrows. Perhaps tiredness had set in?
Either way, that set the tone for the final 15 minutes of the game, which – initially at least – appeared to be fizzling out to a 1-1 draw, which would have suited Burnley just fine to maintain that three-point gap.
Instead, they inexplicably came away empty-handed, conceding two really poor goals – substitutes Tomas Soucek and Kyle Walker-Pieters the beneficiaries.
Josh Cullen bagged a consolation with virtually the last kick of the game, but by then the damage had been done.
Should Burnley fans be concerned? I don’t think so, they remain outside the bottom three and their start to the campaign has still been solid. I’d certainly be a lot more worried if they were playing poorly.
On the flipside, you could say a side that finds a way to lose when they play well is clearly cause for concern.
But as long as Burnley take the lessons from this defeat, learn to stop switching off at key moments and react in the right way, there’s no great need for an overreaction.
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