Inside Nuno Espirito Santo West Ham transformation — the three-word message that changed everything
There are hardly any moments that show a team’s transformation more clearly than West Ham’s third goal in their second straight home comeback win. It perfectly summed up their new spirit and fight.
You could just feel the energy shift, the crowd roaring, the players refusing to give up. That goal wasn’t just a score; it was a statement that this West Ham side is built different this season.
Knowing that Tomas Soucek is only the most formidable attacking threat in world football from about three yards out rather than thirty, Burnley withdrew as Soucek neared. Martin Dubravka spilt the midfielder’s incredibly saveable shot.
Axel Tuanzebe and the Burnley goalkeeper attempted to clear, but West Ham’s revitalised energy and fresh hunger caused a narrow line to develop in order to drive the ball over the line.
It’s been quite the week for West Ham, from hardly able to score to Jarrod Bowen and Kyle Walker-Peters deliberately tumbling over each other to force the ball across the line.
Trending
In the first nine games of the Premier League season, only Nottingham Forest had scored fewer goals.
Since then, the managers of the two teams West Ham had scored against more than once this season were fired, and the Hammers hired one of them.
Things have been turned around by Nuno Espirito Santo. After consecutive losses to Brentford and Leeds, which were marked by strange tactical choices and selection decisions, it appeared destined to collapse. The future of history lay ahead.
Nuno essentially pleaded with his players to demonstrate “commitment, focus, and responsibility” in order to “deserve their support” from the disgruntled supporters following the Leeds loss.
The London Stadium has been presented with a strong argument to support in just six days.
Last Saturday, West Ham made Scott Parker’s return home uncomfortable and brought Eddie Howe to the brink of helpless rage.
The Hammers fumbled out of the starting blocks on both occasions before sprinting to the finish.
Up until Zian Flemming’s flawless opening goal, Burnley had six shots to one in the first thirty-six minutes.
The Graham Potter and Julen Lopetegui years appeared to have destroyed West Ham’s spirit, as they had six shots to nil from that point until halftime, culminating in Callum Wilson’s equaliser.
After the break, the game remained fairly equal, but Soucek’s extremely outstanding anticipation and movement let him deliver once more off the bench.
Walker-Peters then shot past his motionless spiritual footballing father Kyle Walker to bundle a loose ball over the line.
Alphonse Areola narrowly managed to slip a Hannibal Mejbri shot onto Josh Cullen’s boot as the referee blew for full time, confirming an incredible comeback.
Although West Ham’s comeback to win that game at home is not remarkable in and of itself, it feels noteworthy to do so twice in less than a week against strong opposition.
Any indication of positive momentum must be treasured, considering the team only won back-to-back games once during the previous season.
It is a Moyes-inspired return to The Basics with a gritty, dogged style of play that ridiculously much relies on Soucek’s grandeur.
However, this is at least something that fans can identify with and support for a team that has lacked identity and direction for at least a few seasons.
Nuno took some of the blame for recent outcomes and performances, begged supporters to support him while acknowledging that his players had to earn it, and outlined the bare minimum requirements: “commitment, focus, and responsibility.”
That last goal satisfies three damands. West Ham might still have a long journey ahead, but this shows they’re finally moving in the right direction.
You can sense the progress, the structure, the confidence, and that bit of belief returning. It’s not perfect yet, but moments like this prove they’re getting closer to where they want to be.
