Nuno looking worried on the touchlines
Credit: Imago
Samuel Fabre
Tue 17 February 2026 17:10, UK
West Ham return to Premier League action in a must-win game against Bournemouth at the London Stadium on Saturday.
Nuno Espirito Santo has done a remarkable job at turning around West Ham‘s fortunes in the bid for survival, but the Hammers are still three points adrift of safety.
Up next for them is a match against Andoni Iraola’s side, who are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games.
Sam Barrott has been appointed as the referee at the London Stadium, and based on previous experience, that is not a good sign for Nuno’s side.
Current Premier League table on matchday 26
Credit: Imago
Sam Barrott appointed as referee for West Ham vs Bournemouth
The Premier League announced on 16 February that Barrott would take charge of the match in E20.
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John Brooks has been assigned to VAR duty, while Darren England is the fourth official.
The Hammers have been refereed by Barrott five times in the top flight, winning just one of those matches.
Barrott’s record when refereeing West Ham:
Burnley 1-2 West Ham – November 2023
West Ham 0-0 Brighton – January 2024
West Ham 0-3 Chelsea – September 2024
West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest – May 2025
Everton 1 -1 West Ham – September 2025
In the defeat to Chelsea, West Ham were denied a penalty when Crysencio Summerville was held by Wesley Fofana in the box.
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey publicly criticised the decision, arguing that the contact made by the French defender should have led to a spot-kick.
Credit: Breaking Media
One good omen for Nuno though, is that one of West Ham’s two defeats when Barrott has been referee was actually a win for him last May when he was in charge at Nottingham Forest.
West Ham are Bournemouth’s bogey team
Luckily for the Hammers, they have an incredibly good record against Bournemouth.
They haven’t lost a Premier League game against the Cherries since January 2019, winning four and drawing six of the matches ever since.
The meeting at the Vitality Stadium on 22 November ended 2-2, with Callum Wilson scoring two first-half goals before the Cherries mounted a comeback.
Freddie Potts is suspended after being sent off against Burton on Saturday, but barring Pablo’s injury, the Hammers have the majority of their team available for the match in E20.
Although Barrott’s refereeing could turn out to be questionable on Saturday, Nuno will at least be hopeful that his side can rely on past results to get the better of Iraola’s side.
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