Nuno Espirito Santo explained the decision to start Nuno Hermansen over Alphonse Areola before West Ham United’s 2-0 win at Premier League rivals Burnley on Saturday afternoon.
After five months and 20 matchdays on the bench, Hermansen returned to the West Ham team sheet on a day when Axel Disasi made his debut on loan from Chelsea and Crysencio Summerville emulated Jesse Lingard to score in five successive appearances.
A vital 2-0 win at Turf Moor, meanwhile, ensures that both of West Ham United’s clean sheets this term have come with Mads Hermansen between the sticks.
Describe Mads Hermansen’s West Ham return in ONE word! 🧤
His surprise re-call understandably sparked concerns pre-match about a potential injury to usual first-choice Alphonse Areola, even if the Frenchman did appear among the substitutes.
A victorious Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed just before kick-off, though, that this was a decision made via Hermansen’s impressive performances on the training pitch.
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Nuno Espirito Santo gave Mads Hermansen ‘his chance’ as West Ham United beat Burnley
“No, no, not an injury [for Areola]. Mads has been working really well,” Nuno said, via Ben Dinnery on X.
“[Hermansen has been], I think, waiting patiently for his chance. So he has his chance!”
Most will agree this was a chance he seized.
Who was your MOTM vs Burnley and why? Let us know in the comments 👇
Hermansen earned plenty of credit from the Hammers fans at full-time, even if the Dane was at the heart of a few nervy moments. His highlight was a massive close-range stop keep out Zian Flemming just after half-time.
Considering that West Ham threw away a two-goal lead to lose only seven days earlier, the sight of Burnley halving the deficit moments into the second 45 was one the visitors were very happy to avoid.
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