In a first half of very little action and even fewer chances between West Ham and Manchester United, it will come as no surprise to learn that Crysencio Summerville came closer than any of his teammates to lighting the spark.
Did you know that no team in the Premier League had scored more goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season than the Hammers? This, of course, partly explains why only Newcastle have lost more points from winning positions than Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
But a West Ham United outfit who have made a habit of fast starts threatened to do so again as the electrifying Crysencio Summerville cut in and stung the palms of Senne Lammens on 13 minutes.
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A graphic showing the half-time score between West Ham United and Manchester United (0-0) on 10/02/2026.
Credit: Getty Images/Ian Kington / AFP
Nuno said Summerville was ‘amazing’ at Burnley on Saturday as he scored for a fifth straight match. It would be a stretch to use such a description here, following a first half flatter than a pancake crushed under a steamroller.
But, after the West Ham winger emulated Jesse Lingard in Lancashire, his ambitious attempt was comfortably the closest the home side came in a 45-minute spell in which just one shot on target was achieved apiece.
Ally McCoist stunned by Crysencio Summerville’s West Ham United transformation
For Ally McCoist, the legendary former Rangers and Scotland striker, Summerville’s remarkable resurgence was summed up in the way he immediately looked to shift infield before trying his luck from distance.
“You can see the difference in his confidence,” McCoist said during TNT Sport’s live coverage. “He’s wanting to come inside and get the shots away.
West Ham United's Crysencio Summerville celebrates - West Ham United v Sunderland - Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
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“The difference is incredible. He just can’t get enough of it, he’s demanding the ball, he fancies it. Confidence, it’s an amazing thing.”
At the other end of the pitch, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka was exceptional against Manchester United on his return to Old Trafford in December, the right-back is largely the reason why the half-time will begin goalless.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka saves the Hammers as Manchester United turn the screw
Wan-Bissaka positioned himself perfectly on the goalline to deflect away a Luke Shaw effort. Man United bamboozled Tottenham just three days ago with a glorious set-piece routine. It is thanks to Wan-Bissaka that they did not repeat the trick against another London outfit.
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Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 2-0 during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on February 7, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
“We saw the set-piece at the weekend, this is brilliant. That’s a great ball. Brilliant goal-line clearance from Aaron Wan-Bissaka! Saved the day from West Ham, but an excellent set-play,” McCoist added before going onto explain why chances had been at such a premium.
“Wan-Bissaka defending superbly well, covering his goalkeeper.
“Both teams are actually defending the best part of 30 yards from their own goal. There’s absolutely no space to play at all. It’s so congested. In normal circumstances, you would have one, two higher up the pitch, but both teams are dropping back and leaving no space.
“That’s why you’ve got to get it in the box.”
Nuno is without Pablo Felipe due to injury but he does have Callum Wilson – scorer of that last-gasp winner at Spurs a month ago – waiting in the wings.
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