There was plenty to talk about off the pitch before West Ham’s FA Cup fourth round clash at Burton Albion had even kicked off.
West Ham made the trip to the Pirelli Stadium to take on the League One strugglers for a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Hammers have been in good form of late so all eyes were on whether he would continue with a similar team in order to maintain momentum or give key players a rest for the Premier League run-in.
Hammers News told you last night Nuno would make 10 West Ham changes for the tie with exciting youngsters Mohamadou Kante and Ezra Mayers – and new boys Keiber Lamadrid and Adama Traore – all starting.
Nuno made 10 West Ham changes and it showed
And so it proved when the team sheets were announced.
TNT Sports clearly smelled an upset as they chose the Burton vs West Ham clash for live TV coverage.
Well that was……boring?! What needs to change at the break?
Has anyone impressed you so far? 🤔
A graphic showing the half-time score between Burton Albion and West Ham United (0-0) in the FA Cup on 14/02/2026.
Credit: Getty Images/Michael Regan
Although Burton are struggling in the League One relegation zone, the Hammers have often been casualties of giant-killings in the cups down the years.
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Nuno’s decision to change almost the entire starting XI could be deemed a risk.
Adama Traore - FBL-ENG-FACUP-BURTON-WEST HAM
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
Indeed pre-match former Hammer Joe Cole said he felt the Portuguese was taking too big a risk.
Cole said three or four changes would be acceptable and understandable but could not get his head around swapping out 10.
“West Ham fans always want to do well in this competition,” Cole said.
“It’s not what I would have done personally.”
Bizarre reason West Ham’s FA Cup clash at Burton was delayed
As the game approached, TV cameras repeatedly showed the pudding of a pitch many felt could be a leveller for a match between sides that are two divisions apart.
Kick-off was meant to take place at 12.15pm but was pushed back by over five minutes much to the confusion of fans in the stadium.
Things are looking up 😍 So who are we sending down to the Championship?!
Forest? Leeds?……Spurs? 🙏
A graphic asking West Ham fans which team in the Premier League they are going to catch.
Credit: Getty Images/Rob Newell – CameraSport
The bizarre reason West Ham’s FA Cup clash at Burton was delayed can be revealed as a plane also flew a banner overhead.
One of the goal nets at the ground had a hole in the side netting meaning it needed replacing at the last minute.
A member of the Burton ground staff was then seen scampering around with a large coil of blue rope.
Burton Albion v West Ham United - Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
The groundsman struggled to cut off a section of the rope, delaying proceedings by a few minutes.
He then bound the net together before the officials had to inspect his handiwork and give kick-off the go-ahead.
The pause in the pre-match proceedings worked perfectly in the favour of disgruntled West Ham fans who have been protesting against the club’s owners, particularly David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.
West Ham fans fly protest banner from plane during FA Cup tie
Because as players, fans and the large numbers watching on TV hung around waiting for the net to be repaired, a plane flew over the stadium with a big banner trailing behind.
The banner read: “Sullivan and Brady out – no more BS!”
Fans inside the ground also played their part in the latest uprising against West Ham’s owners too.
They held up red cards with ‘No more BS’, written on them.
It set the tone for some unusual occurrences during a strange first half.
A plane displaying a banner with a message in protest to West Ham chief David Sullivan and Baroness Karren Brady
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
West Ham were poor in the opening half with the changes clearly impacting any fluidity and momentum built up during their recent spell of excellent form.
TV coverage stated there had been a medical incident in the crowd but the officials did not stop play.
The game lacked any major spark or magic in the opening half despite Burton being very much on top.
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