Despite having to ‘settle’ for a solitary point at home in a crucial encounter with form side Bournemouth, reading the newspaper analysis post-match it feels very much a point won rather than two lost- depending of course upon the outcome of Liverpool v Nottingham Forest and Arsenal v Spurs tomorrow.
Indeed, Nuno has, along with his assistant manager Paco Jemez, worked wonders after that bumbling, fumbling start in which far too many points were chucked down the road. James Sharpe in the dailymail.co.uk claims that:
“West Ham are unrecognisably competent” under Nuno now.
“They were brilliant here against Manchester United, only denied a win by Benjamin Sesko’s last-minute stunner, and against the European-chasing Cherries they looked calm and confident.
Nuno Espirito Santo looks at West Ham striker taty Castellanos
Adds a new dimension – Taty Castellanos
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side flew out the traps, winning a corner inside 13 seconds from which the excellent Axel Disasi saw a header cleared off the line. They attempted 20 shots, their most in a game since December 2024.
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*New striker Taty Castellanos brings a new dimension to their attack and nearly won it with a sensational overhead kick.*“
And across the front line, West Ham threatened, with unheard-of solidity at the back boding well for the last eleven games. They’ll score more goals with far fewer chances in the coming weeks, especially if Nuno’s new talisman Crysencio Summerville keeps up his electric form:
“Every time Summerville got on the ball, he caused Bournemouth problems. He had full-back Jimenez on toast all evening. He so nearly added to his burgeoning goal tally inside the first five minutes, getting on the end of a stunning cross behind the backline by Taty Castellanos but couldn’t get enough on it to beat Djorde Petrovic.
He dribbled past two defenders before firing over the bar. In the second half he saw a deflected effort loop just over.”
Competent they might be. Leak-free at the back they seem to be. But Nuno has to start winning, or else it’ll be sayonara come May.