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6 hours ago
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Forget the magic of the FA Cup, for West Ham the reality of what is likely to be a Championship fixture next season. An indicator that life in the second tier will be no cakewalk. That QPR took them to extra-time will do little for Nuno Espírito Santo’s standing, despite a first win since 8 November. There were, though, positives to take in the performance of Taty Castellanos, the Argentinian striker who scored the Hammers’ winning goal. Have West Ham at last ended a search for a striker that has lasted almost as long as their London Stadium tenancy? They’ve looked everywhere.
The other goalscorer, Crysencio Summerville, who also supplied the assist for the winner, put in one of his better West Ham performances, too. For one cold afternoon only, the Cup could draw a thin veil over Premier League concerns.
Cheap ticket deals, including kids for a quid, meant the stadium was nowhere near as empty as during the midweek loss to Nottingham Forest. Youthful voices roared on their Hammers anti heroes. The contingents from west London were in full voice, too. “We’ll see you all next year,” sang the QPR crew. They have plenty to tell their east London brethren about supporting a club where Premier League dreams fade to a subsistence of hope rather than expectation in the second tier.
Among the home fans, the mood was mutinous, as is habitual, with red card protests against the stewardship of David Sullivan and Karren Brady, both sets of supporters uniting in the now traditional chorus of the club selling its soul by moving to the former Olympic Stadium.
West Ham’s form, and a terrible third round record – no club has lost more ties at this stage than the Hammers – gave considerable grounds for optimism. That Nuno had selected a team with a five-man defence suggested some fear in the opposition. As did opening salvoes where his team dominated possession but appeared reluctant to attack.
The closest anyone came amid early tedium was a stooping header from Rayan Kolli, a buzzy Rangers youth product. West Ham’s first shot did not arrive until the 32nd minute, Summerville cutting inside to force a save from Joe Walsh. Both teams suffered the loss of personnel in that gruelling first half, Rangers’ Kōki Saitō departing with a muscle problem. West Ham lost Konstantinos Mavropanos to a far more serious injury, requiring a motorised stretcher and adding nine minutes to the half.
Bringing on Pablo Felipe as Mavropanos’ replacement ripped up the Nuno plan, the other new signing asked to partner Castellanos to mirror Rangers’ 4-4-2, adding old-school vibes to a time-honoured capital city derby that lacked the bite of yore. The veteran Steve Cook, partnering with the similarly robust Jimmy Dunne in Rangers defence, threw in a fine blocking tackle to deny what would have been a golden chance for Castellanos.
West Ham had at last found momentum. Pablo set off on a run and with Castellano’s help, held off Dunne. Following that, Soungoutou Magassa set up Summerville to score a goal on half-time. Positives in two January signings playing their part, though Summerville registering only his second Hammers goal is an indicator of the success of the club’s other recent transfer business.
Julien Stéphan’s team had an initial plan of playing on the counter and were now asked to push onwards. Kolli and Richard Kone, their attacking duo, were more often found chasing down opposition possession than their own team’s attacks. Kolli, though, did make one bullish run down the flank, forcing Mads Hermansen into some semblance of action.
Following Amadou Mbengue’s shot within seconds of that, West Ham failed to heed prior warnings. Karamoko Dembélé’s lithe turn of foot and pirouette opened space, and his cross was met by Richard Kone to nod home.
Neither team pushed recklessly to reach the fourth round in regulation time. Dunne twice threw himself in front of two Castellanos shots, Isaac Hayden doing similar when Summerville shaped to shoot before Walsh made a fine save from Castellanos. Rangers found chances rather harder to come by, Kone having only a half chance after more good work from the lively Kolli, whose loss to injury was a blow.
Extra-time arrived, with Tomas Soucek and then Summerville having efforts saved, West Ham trying far harder to avoid a shootout. Summerville’s speedy run to the line, and a good cross found Castellanos in position to nod home the winner. Good signs indeed from the recent arrival. West Ham require many more in coming months to avoid a reunion.
