If this is how West Ham intend to go on then their game against Freiburg on Thursday might be their last taste of European football for a while.
Even the sight of Danny Ings rolling back the years and coming on to salvage a point from a messy display was not enough to banish the misgivings that flare whenever this side’s counterpunching approach under David Moyes drifts into the tactical confusion witnessed during this careless 2-2 draw with Burnley.
There was ample ammunition for the sizeable section of supporters convinced that Moyes should depart when his contract expires at the end of the season.
“We didn’t give ourselves a chance to get in the game,” the West Ham manager said as his focus fell on a first half that ended with Burnley dreaming of keeping alive their slim survival hopes after a stunning strike from David Datro Fofana and an own-goal from Konstantinos Mavropanos. “We didn’t start fast and got punished.”
The obvious explanation for the early lethargy is that West Ham, who remain seventh, had little time to prepare after their 1-0 defeat against Freiburg in their Europa League last-16 tie. A more troubling thought, though, is that wider issues are at play. After all, it is not as if West Ham regularly storm out of the traps. They are a cautious side, prone to letting their opponents dictate play, and it can be tough to watch when they fall too deep, particularly against a team as limited as Burnley.
The frustration is that West Ham were dominant after half-time, the introduction of Michail Antonio unsettling Burnley and creating space for Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paquetá. For Moyes, the question is whether to be similarly bold against Freiburg.
West Ham, who have not kept a clean sheet since 2 January, need more drive in the middle. A functional trio of Tomas Soucek, James Ward‑Prowse and Kalvin Phillips did not do anything to stop Burnley from getting a feel for the ball before Fofana put them ahead with his third goal since joining on loan from Chelsea.
It was hardly against the run of play when the Burnley striker sent a brilliant rising effort beyond Alphonse Areola after squeezing past weak challenges from Phillips and Nayef Aguerd in the 11th minute. Aguerd, filling in for the rested Kurt Zouma in central defence, was too casual. Mavropanos, who ended the opening period by handing Burnley a second when he turned Josh Cullen’s cross beyond Areola, struggled to complete simple tasks. Bowen, who was isolated up front, kept drifting offside.
Then there was Phillips and his quest to shake off the rust that accumulated during his long spell on Manchester City’s bench. Deputising for Edson Álvarez, the midfielder looked utterly bereft of confidence and fitness on his third start since arriving on loan from City. Gareth Southgate, who was at the London Stadium to watch Burnley give Phillips the runaround, has a decision to make before naming his squad for England’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
Southgate will surely have noted that West Ham improved after bringing Álvarez on for Phillips. The plodding Ward‑Prowse also made way, for Antonio, and Burnley were pegged back at the start of the second half. Paquetá, more menacing after moving inside, strolled through and slid a low finish past James Trafford.
“If I focus just on the timing of the two goals then that’s two frustrating events in the game,” Vincent Kompany said. He took heart from Burnley’s fight. They chased a third, Fofana and Jacob Bruun Larsen going close, but the pressure grew at the other end. Paquetá and Kudus both missed presentable chances. Vladimir Coufal’s deflected cross hit the bar.
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West Ham grew frantic. Ings came on and had a goal disallowed after a VAR check showed that Antonio had strayed inches offside before setting up his fellow striker. The game went into eight minutes of added time and West Ham attacked again. Kudus did well to cross from the left and Ings controlled with his chest, swivelled and grabbed his first goal of the season by smashing a shot past Trafford.
Burnley, whose timewasting antic infuriated the home crowd, responded. Sander Berge, who survived a shout for handball in the final minute, and Josh Brownhill almost won it. West Ham stirred, Antonio firing wide and Ings hitting the bar from 18 yards. The point did little for either side.
