Burnley stage classic smash and grab

West Ham 0 Burnley 1

Not what we needed at all. Just as West Ham had started to get some momentum Burnley scored. Fredericks was slow to close down Taylor and then Rodriguez got across Cresswell to score off his shoulder and in off the bar. 

Earlier Pope had produced a good stop when Soucek got on the end of Fredericks' cross and seconds later made another fine save with his feet from Antonio. The key moment came straight after the goal when Antonio was  through but sliced his shot on to the outside of the post when he should have scored. Michail has so much power, but at times like this just can't finish.

The second half saw Haller almost score with his first touch only for Pope to produce another great save. Generally the Hammers made Pope look brilliant as he came for endless high crosses, while Tarkowski (who could have seen red for a studs up challenge on Bowen) and Long did well at the back. Worryingly Burnley's sub Chris Wood outpaced Diop to get a shot in and then Wood saw a goal correctly disallowed for a narrow offside.  The Clarets held it up well and saw the game out with the professionalism that is the hallmark of Sean Dyche's drilling. 

West Ham didn't deserve to lose this, but looked tired. It was perhaps a mistake to start Yarmolenko who looked predictably rusty even if he did force Pope into one low save. Moyes also showed a mystifying reluctance to use subs beyond Haller. Ajeti was never going to achieve anything and Lanzini, Wilshere and Masuaku who might have provided something fresh and different, remained on the bench.

A chance missed to make ourselves virtually safe. Now comes a vital game against bottom club Norwich. What could possibly go wrong?