West Ham United’s first Premier League clean sheet since September just happened to coincide with Axel Disasi’s first appearance for Nuno Espirito Santo’s outfit in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Burnley.
Although, in truth, the word ‘coincide’ is maybe the wrong one to use here.
Nuno threw Disasi straight in with Jean-Clair Todibo missing through suspension. If there were any concerns about a lack of match sharpness – Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink expressed reservations about a man who had not played a top-flight match since April 2025 – Axel Disasi dispelled those with a classy, commanding performance against Scott Parker’s doomed basement-dwellers.
Big Axel bullies Burnley! ✋
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Lesley Ugochukwu of Burnley in action with Axel Disasi of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Burnley and West Ham United at Turf Moor on February 07, 2026 in Burnley, England.
Disasi impressed alongside Konstantinos Mavropanos. His powerhouse frame came in very handy, too, up against Burnley’s more physical operators. One moment in particular comes to mind, when he simply shrugged off the giant Lesley Ugochukwu.
For all of Todibo’s talents, he is not the most imposing of centre-halves. You cannot say the same of the two defenders who made 13 clearances between them at Turf Moor.
A 2-0 away win means West Ham United ended a five-month wait for a clean sheet, too.
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Nuno Espirito Santo hails Axel Disasi as West Ham United finally secure a clean sheet
Speaking to reporters at full-time, as West Ham move to within three points of 17th-place Nottingham Forest, Nuno hailed his deadline day arrival.
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But Disasi, he was keen to point out, was just one cog in a disciplined defensive machine. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf played their part alongside late sub Ollie Scarles. Mads Hermansen made some ‘really good’ saves, too, after stepping in for Alphonse Areola.
“We were solid. We were very, very strong in our box. Axel, Dino, Aaron, Malick, Scarles, they did a good job containing Burnley,” Nuno said.
Zian Flemming shoots while under pressure from Tomas Soucek and Axel Disasi - Burnley v West Ham United - Premier League
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“The boys did really, really well. They were committed, desire, organised, [with] talent up front. Nice goals, nice combinations and a clean sheet that makes us proud of the way we defended, because I believe that everything starts from there.
“If we can fix it then, up front, we have talent that can help us.”
Nuno lauds Hammers work ethic and team spirit at Burnley
Crysencio Summerville emulated Jesse Lingard to put the Hammers 1-0 up after 13 minutes. A lead Taty Castellanos would double before the half-hour mark.
West Ham had lost 18 points from winning positions this season, while twice throwing away a 2-0 lead. History would not repeat itself here though.
“We knew how important it was to start the game well,” Nuno adds. “From minute one, we were switched on, on the front foot, we press, we recover balls, we went. We didn’t allow too many situations to Burnley. That makes a big difference, makes a big difference.
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West Ham players celebrate after Crysencio Summerville scores against Burnley.
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“We managed the game well. It was a spell during the second-half, in the beginning, that Burnley put us against the ropes, but then came our fans singing and helping us. I’m really happy for them to make this travel so far away on a rainy day and help us today.
“We cannot thank them enough. Let’s try to put this energy into London Stadium on Tuesday.
“There’s no individuals. We need the best of each one of us. That’s the only path that you can take. It starts from there. We are aware of the problems that we’ve been having. We have to solve it, we have to fix it.
“Individually, the players in defence were OK, but it’s more about the line, the way we can connect with each other, covering spaces. We did well.
“Like I said, a clean sheet. Moving forward, it’s important, it’s important. We knew that today was going to be very, very tough, but everything starts from there, our organisation when we press.
“So, congratulations to the boys because they did an amazing job today.”
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