The electronic advertising boards at Turf Moor urged the folk of Burnley to “visit Detroit”. Whether or not Michigan can prepare for an influx of arrivals from east Lancashire, there were other incongruous sights. West Ham have not been seen in the second tier for 15 years. They were watched by David Moyes, who saw his Hammers win European silverware three years ago, an instant reminder of an expensive and ignominious decline.
They had played in Germany and Greece, Czechia and Croatia more recently than the Championship and will hope this is merely the start of a visit. A chastening end to their trip to Burnley was reminder there is much to rectify to avert a lengthier stay. Two goals ahead and seemingly cruising, West Ham only drew. Burnley, looking to make it five promotions in as many seasons in this division, did not lose at home at all en route to a century of points two seasons ago. When new manager Nicky Hayen’s Championship career threatened to begin in demoralising fashion, he had reasons to celebrate his 46th birthday after all as Zian Flemming earned a reward for his persistence.
The striker did not score from any of his first seven attempts of the afternoon, though he was denied by first the post and then Ollie Scarles, with a goal-line clearance, from two headers. But his last two shots nestled in the West Ham net, first a well-taken penalty and then a drilled finish after the Hammers failed to clear a corner.
For Nuno Espirito Santo, there was much to ponder. He had made a series of substitutions while failing to stem the tide. He may rue one he delayed too long: El Hadji Malick Diouf, the first-choice left-back but perhaps bound for Brentford, had not been introduced when Scarles upended Marcus Edwards, who was tormenting him, to concede the spot kick. The change came soon after, but perhaps too late. This was an illustration, too, that the clean sheets Nuno’s finest sides used to keep proved elusive after he joined West Ham. They dropped too many points from winning positions last season, and two already this. A glum, mumbling Nuno pronounced himself frustrated by “many things”.
His is a squad in transition, but Burnley had greater reserves of energy and, seemingly, more strength in depth. West Ham have already brought in £150m this summer, largely by selling Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, and that number could be swelled to over £200m. The remodelling job in east London is not finished. Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are going; Edson Alvarez was absent, too, suggesting he may be. None was involved. Nor was the £22m signing Arne Engels, a record buy for the Championship, but not registered in time. The striker Pablo, still yet to open his Hammers account, was hauled off at half-time with a calf problem. Nuno wants at least one more centre-forward, whether Joel Piroe, Troy Parrott or another. “We need more, especially in the offensive part of the team,” added Nuno.
As it was, only one recent recruit started and he scored, in Manor Solomon. There were glimpses of the quality that might be West Ham’s cheat code at this level. Solomon spent last season with first Villarreal and then Fiorentina. West Ham’s first goal was made by Jarrod Bowen who, rather than visiting Detroit, may have hoped to spend the summer in places such as Kansas City, New York and Miami with England.
Missing out on a place in the World Cup squad compounded the pain of relegation but the great loyalist stayed when others could be jumping ship, took a pay cut – albeit one that could be offset by a promotion bonus – and responded by setting the right example. It is scarcely an original observation but Bowen could be the best player in the Championship this season.
His corner was headed in by Maximilian Kilman, resisting Aaron Ramsey’s ineffectual attempts to tug him back. It was a belated first Hammers goal for the defender, two years after joining. Then Solomon supplied an assured finish after Mohamadou Kante powered to the byline. “Two-nil to the Cockney boys,” came a chorus from the Londoners.
They crowed too soon. There were some empty seats. Relegation proved depressing and a deterrent to some from returning, though Turf Moor recaptured its atmosphere. “We showed resilience,” said Hayen. His side had a verve, even they are still reliant on Flemming, who has now scored seven of their last nine goals. Keeping him is key. “It didn’t help he scored two times today,” deadpanned Hayen. “Maybe it is best he stays.”
Even with Flemming, Burnley still have not won a home league game since October. This nevertheless had the air of a triumph for their new manager. “It gives a feeling that we’ve won the game even if we [only] have one point,” Hayen said. It leaves both clubs needing about 90 more, and with West Ham given an demonstration of the difficulty of getting them in the Championship.
