Unlike Taty Castellanos, whose extra time header powered West Ham United into the FA Cup fourth round, Pablo Felipe is still awaiting his ‘welcome to the party’ moment at the Premier League outfit.
Castellanos opened his Hammers account on only his second appearance for the club on Sunday.
The £26 million arrival from Lazio also appears to have nailed down the starting role in Nuno Espirito Santo’s frontline, ahead of his fellow January recruit. But, although a first goal is yet to come, Pablo Felipe has still had his moments.
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Off the bench during the 2-1 defeat by Nottingham Forest last week, Pablo created one of West Ham United’s clearest openings when a well-placed through ball reached an onrushing Kyle Walker-Peters.
The £18 million former Gil Vicente hitman made an impact off the bench against Queens Park Rangers at the London Stadium, too, playing a role in Crysencio Summerville’s opener while bringing greater physicality to Nuno’s frontline.
Pablo Felipe hails West Ham United duo Taty Castellanos and Crysencio Summerville
Pablo’s conversion rate was greater than even Erling Haaland’s during the first half of the current campaign, scoring ten times in 13 Primeira Liga starts.
Those lethal finishing skills are yet to be glimpsed in a claret and blue jersey – his only shot so far was fizzed over the bar against Forest from an angle – but Nuno likes the ‘fighting’ spirit Pablo brings to the table alongside Castellanos.
Speaking to the club’s official website as West Ham look ahead to Saturday’s London derby with Tottenham Hotspur, Pablo is determined to build on that morale-boosting extra-time triumph over QPR.
He also singles out Summerville and Castellanos as two of the players to catch his eye in his new home. The duo dovetailed beautifully to secure what was only a third win in 17 matches under Nuno.
“This game was an incredible experience,” Pablo says. “It was incredible to play in a crowded stadium, with the fans always supporting us. They always give us the grit and courage to keep fighting, and I think that made a big difference.
“We always try to play for the fans, to run and win for them too. It was a difficult win in the end, but with the sacrifice of the team we eventually got the result we wanted.
“Taty and Cry were important for us. They not only scored the goals, but they showed dedication offensively and defensively. I think the whole group deserves credit, for the performances and the sacrifices we made on the pitch.
“[That QPR win] is an experience I’ll never forget, and we’re very happy to get the win in the end and get through to the next round. Hopefully we can build on it now.”
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Summerville was ‘brilliant’ on a long-awaited statement performance for the Hammers. Not only did he end a 25-match barren run with a thumping first-half finish, he also left his marker for dead before setting up Castellanos eight minutes into extra time.
Following a year-and-a-half playing alongside an immobile Niclas Fullkrug and an out-of-position Lucas Paqueta, Summerville is understandably delighted to have someone to play off at last in the final third. Considering that Pablo’s conversion rate at Gil Vicente was among the very best in European football, the Braga-born 22-year-old can be expected to make very good use of any further service provided by a revitalised Summerville.
“I think the [QPR] win gives us a lot of confidence to keep fighting for our goals back in the Premier League. We want to continue showing the fight we showed on Sunday, and achieve our goals together,” adds Pablo.
“Of course, a win is always good for both the players and the fans. We want to continue on this path now, because it’s the one we all want to follow. We’re all looking forward to Saturday [against Tottenham], and we’ll be ready.”
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Summerville appears to have rediscovered his golden touch at a pretty opportune moment. West Ham reportedly held talks with Benfica regarding Norwegian schemer Andreas Schjelderup. Another right-footed left-winger.
The next challenge, of course, will be to end a Premier League goal drought which has dragged on since October 2024.
“It’s a really good feeling. To get the win here [in the FA Cup], I think it boosts our confidence and momentum, so I’m very pleased,” Summerville said a few days ago. “I’m always trying to work on my end product in training. I’ve been waiting for the goal and an assist, to make an impact in the final third, and today was my day.
“[For Taty’s goal], when I got to the byline, I just got the chip in, and he was there and he was strong. He and Pablo are both strong.
“It’s great to know that if you can get the ball in they can score goals.”
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