Considering that the game ended goalless, neither West Ham United nor AFC Bournemouth able to break the deadlock at the London Stadium, those who only caught the highlights may be surprised to see Crysencio Summerville top the Man of the Match poll.
Nuno said Summerville was in ‘almost unstoppable’ form after his fine solo effort secured FA Cup progression against Burton Albion.
Emphasis on the ‘almost’.
Is Cry the spark to ignite our ‘Great Escape’? 🔦
Because Bournemouth – by hook, by crook, or by a little dash of luck – did manage to stop him on Saturday evening. Former West Ham United frontman Bobby Zamora questioned Summerville’s decision-making in the lead up to that stoppage time chance fired over the bar by Jarrod Bowen.
Crysencio Summerville also flicked a shot straight at Djordje Petrovic in a frantic Hammers start, and later got the ball caught between his feet after a neat one-two with Callum Wilson inside the penalty area.
Still, the threat he carried and the confidence he displayed – outside of the boot passes here, mesmerising little flicks there – was enough to see Summerville earn the Man of the Match award from Hammers News’ Talking Point users.
Crysencio Summerville tops Man of the Match poll after West Ham United 0-0 Bournemouth
At the time of writing, Summerville secured 37 per cent of the vote.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Disasi finish second and third, with 18 and 17 per cent respectively. Captain Bowen and manager Nuno hailed Disasi’s impact following a third clean sheet in four appearances, while Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp gave a special mention to an ‘excellent’ Wan-Bissaka display at right-back.
Mads Hermansen produced one of his most convincing displays between the sticks, meanwhile. While the Dane was not overly-tested, his command of his area was night and day from those miserable August afternoons under Graham Potter.
Hermansen’s impressive distribution gives West Ham a different dimension in possession, too.
So, on a night when Bowen, Mateus Fernandes, Taty Castellanos and even Summerville misplaced their scoring boots, at least West Ham can rely these days upon a solid foundation at the other end.
“You know what it’s like in this league,” Bowen told Sky at full-time. “You can’t expect to score two or three goals every week and pick up results. We knew we needed to improve and change. And I think Axel has come in and been a really big presence.
“We tweaked a couple of things tactically and we look a lot better,” Bowen adds. “Defending starts from the number nine and goes to the wingers, midfielders, and defenders. We seem to be in a better structure.
“Today, we could have nicked one and won 1-0.”
How do you feel about Mads Hermansen NOW? 🇩🇰 🧤
Has he won you over? Or are there still doubts?
Nuno Espirito Santo hails Mads Hermansen after another clean sheet
Nuno would also admit that Hermansen’s ball-playing is the main reason why he replaced Alphonse Areola between the sticks.
“Recently, we’ve been showing that it’s not all about the back line. It starts with our striker, our shape, our organisation, reducing gaps, closing the lines, pressing really strong,” Nuno said.
“It takes a lot of energy from ourselves; we press high, we chase. It’s about that, it’s not always trying to contain, but the way we press, the boys are working really hard. It’s not about our goalkeeper and back line, it starts with our striker.
“[With Hermansen], I think the team is acknowledging and realising that we have an extra man that can help us.
“He’s doing well, he’s doing well, but our priority for our goalkeeper is that he does his job. And once again, I think he did a good game.”
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
