West Ham fans were in fine voice on the road yet again and one player in particular heard his name ring out relentlessly after being christened with a new chant.
If West Ham’s late 1-1 draw felt like a hard point earned at Man United in midweek, the last minute surrender of a 1-0 lead at Brighton very much feels like two points dropped.
Given the grave situation the Hammers find themselves in as they fight against the very real prospect of relegation, every point is absolutely crucial.
So throwing away two points, as West Ham also did against Bournemouth recently from 2-0 up, is gut-wrenching.
The Hammers had been fully deserving of the three points after a much-improved defensive display.
A woeful lack of options up front and profligate finishing means West Ham struggle to win games.
Two points dropped for West Ham at Brighton
And it cost them dear as it meant Brighton stayed in the game as they levelled on the stroke of 90 minutes.
The decision to allow the goal was hugely controversial with a clear dangerous high boot to the head of Konstantinos Mavropanos going unpunished and a clear handball from goalscorer Georginio Rutter being cleared by VAR before he scored.
Two constants for the Hammers of late, though, have been Mateus Fernandes and the club’s fiercely loyal away support.
Nuno Espirito Santo singled West Ham fans out for praise after the game, saying they made it feel like a home game by out-singing Brighton’s support.
“The support of our fans that make us feel like we were in London, then comes one situation, and so many people see it, it’s hard to take,” Nuno told West Ham’s website.
“I just want to thank our players and our fans for today. Now it’s time to take care of our disappointment.”
There was no doubting who West Ham’s standout player was on the day as Fernandes stole the show – and not for the first time.
The Portuguese was so good West Ham fans christened their new favourite player with a brilliant chant.
Hammers supporters do not hand out hero worship or chants to players and managers blindly.
You have to earn your stripes at West Ham.
And Fernandes’ rapid rise in popularity among West Ham supporters has reached a new level after fans unveiled a brilliant chant in his honour.
The exciting young midfielder has made a huge impression with his energy, confidence and fearless style, and the West Ham faithful have wasted no time in making him feel fully at home.
West Ham fans christen new favourite Fernandes with brilliant chant
The new terrace anthem could be heard belting out at the Amex, cementing Fernandes as the latest fan favourite in east London as he put in a record-breaking display.
Fernandes won 16 duels in West Ham’s clash with the Seagulls, the most of any player in a Premier League game this season.
Fernandes also made the most tackles with eight, won possession the most (six), won the most fouls (five), the most interceptions (four) and put in the most crosses (four).
It was typical of his performances on the whole since Fernandes signed for West Ham for £40m in the summer.
That already looks like a bargain.
Captain Jarrod Bowen is clearly West Ham’s most important player and talisman, as he proved again with a goal at the Amex.
But he has been struggling badly of late having carried the team on his back for two years.
Fernandes is now taking some of that weight, stepping up to the plate as West Ham’s most influential player in the middle of the park.
The club’s fans have responded by showing their appreciation.
Hammers fans salute new hero Fernandes
To the tune of Amore – like the old West Ham Bobby Zamora chant – Hammers supporters sang: “Fernandes, woah, Fernandes woaaah, he comes from Portugal, he’s f—— got it all.”
West Ham fans are famed for their witty chants and football knowledge and this is the perfect example of that.
Fernandes certainly does have it all, as his performances and the statistics are proving.
No wonder Roberto Martinez urged him to get back in the Premier League because he wants him in the Portugal senior team at the World Cup next summer.
If he plays like that at world football’s showpiece event, the Hammers will be inundated with offers probably doubling their money.
Not that fans would want to see Fernandes leave after just one season of course.
Especially as it took two years to find an adequate replacement for Declan Rice.
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