Crysencio Summerville ended his long West Ham United goal drought in the dying seconds of the first-half against Queens Park Rangers, but do not underestimate the role Taty Castellanos played.
With almost the last kick of an otherwise largely uneventful opening stanza, the £30 million former Leeds winger raced through and lashed an emphatic left-footed finish past Joe Walsh in the visiting goal.
This was Crysencio Summerville’s first West Ham United goal since Julen Lopetegui helped get Erik ten Hag the sack at Manchester United back in October 2024. As the Hammers reportedly move for Andreas Schjelderup of Benfica, a Norwegian left-winger of real promise, this felt like a good moment for Summerville to end his 25-match drought across all competitions.
Give us your verdict on that first half! Anything you’d like to see changed?
Could be a huge goal…
Taty Castellanos, the striker snapped up from Lazio for £26 million, will obviously be hoping to break his own duck sooner rather than later.
But while he will not be credited with an assist – it was actually Soungoutou Magassa who threaded the ball into Summerville’s path – the physicality and aggression he brings to Nuno Espirito Santo’s frontline was clear to see.
Scott Minto praises Taty Castellanos as West Ham United take the lead against QPR
Castellanos is embracing those Carlos Tevez comparisons, and the way he shrugged off a QPR marker while opening up space for Pablo and Magassa to drive through was something the Upton Park icon would have been proud of.
West Ham nicked the ball high up the pitch, inside the QPR half.
Rather than take the ball with his back to goal, Castellanos instead rolled the defender, allowing Pablo to dart in behind. He fed Magassa, Magassa fed Summerville, and the Hammers had a lead to take into the interval.
“It is really good strength there [from Castellanos],” former West Ham left-back Scott Minto said during TNT Sports’ live coverage. “And suddenly they’ve got the man at the far post.
“[Magassa’s pass] is maybe too far forward for Summerville, but his first touch is good. He reacts really quickly and, on his left foot, he is able to get the shot in, giving Joe Walsh no chance whatsoever.
“We were just talking about how [Queens Park Rangers coach] Julian Stephan will be delighted about how the first-half has gone. That is a big, big goal for Nuno Espirito Santo, Crysencio Summerville and everyone connected with West Ham.”
Nuno Espirito Santo has been impressed by Castellanos
What are your EXPECTATIONS for Taty Castellanos? 🇦🇷
What does he need to do to justify that £27m price-tag?
While chances have been at a premium for the club’s new number eleven so far, Castellanos’ touch, intelligence and speedy link-play has again stood out.
Both he and Pablo – the latter came on in a reshuffle brought about due to Konstantinos Mavropanos’ head injury – may now have 45 minutes to open their account in English football.
“What we have to make sure is that the players who join us come with a purpose,” Nuno said last week.
“They need to come to help, like we saw with Taty and Pablo. Talent, and more than anything, really fighting and trying to help the team.
“This is the main objective; for the players to be motivated and committed to join us.”
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