West Ham United

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Man City.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Tim: Two excellent home performances in a row! Everyone putting in an extra 10% effort and it's really working. Mavropanos has taken over the role of 'defence captain ' and has been excellent.

Sue: The first half hour was hard to watch. I thought we were going to get thrashed especially when City scored, but then we started to play more confidently and after we scored we were brilliant. What a good point we earned.

Dean: A resolute defensive display - from the reaction at the final whistle from both players and fans alike, you'd think we'd won. We're not safe yet but the team spirit was magnificent against City.

Joe: The team is consistently showing a fighting spirit, and that is all West Ham fans want. Mavropanos is finally good, and all the defence played their socks off. This team can beat the drop and send Spurs down, what a turnaround!

Man City fans

George: Like all our games, our defenders play as forwards and lack speed to get back for long balls. They are holding onto balls longer than they should instead of searching for players with openings. Foden is the one player that has that vision and he's on the bench for too long.

Brian: Man City were not good enough on the day, and both teams needed points from this match. But West Ham wanted those points more. A draw is a loss at this stage of the title race. An embarrassing watch for fans and a tough seven days for those dedicated fans. We have a live interest in two trophies and with these performances a fading hope of success. Key players have to do better.

Usama: Our so called title challenge has run its course, Pep Guardiola's time at City surely has as well. Next season most certainly would be a season too far for Pep. This tippy tappy nonsense possession football is tedious and extremely predictable. This club needs a new direction come summer and if the board had any sense they would see that too and part ways with Pep. For all he's done and achieved there comes a time for change.

Pundits Joe Hart and Ashley Williams join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

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• Sunderland 0-1 Brighton

• Burnley 0-0 Bournemouth

• Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle

• Arsenal 2-0 Everton

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

For the first time in many months, there is something approaching optimism around London Stadium.

West Ham are into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in a decade where they will host Leeds, out of the bottom three and buoyed by the possibility of rivals Tottenham dropping into the relegation places on Sunday should results go in their favour.

It is far from perfect - a 16th-minute protest, featuring red cards, by fans against the ownership of David Sullivan and Karren Brady, proved that.

But on the field they impressively roused themselves after falling behind, forcing a corner and converting from it with their only shot of the match.

West Ham's slow start, and lack of more attempts on goal, perhaps owed much to the absence of Crysencio Summerville, who has been sidelined with a calf injury.

The Dutch forward has seven goals in his past 13 games and Nuno Espirito Santo's side struggle in attack without him, having won none of their six league games this year when he hasn't played.

But they were resolute in defence, with an impressive showing too from left wing-back El Hadji Malick Diouf as he curbed the threat of Antoine Semenyo on the right flank.

They dealt well with City's tactical switch-ups too, Nuno quickly introducing Soungoutou Magassa in place of forward Pablo to match the visitors' change to a three-man midfield.

At the end it was all hands to the pump, but the Hammers held out and have earned 15 points from their last nine games - survival form.

Their run-in is tough - they still have to visit Aston Villa, face Arsenal at home and fellow strugglers Leeds on the final day - but, for now, there is the unfamiliar feeling of happiness and hope around London Stadium.

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the draw with Man City: "You can say [the defending was heroic], a lot of sacrifice, a lot of bodies on the line. It has to be this way.

"We defended very well, the midfield worked very hard and the front players also tried to cut lines to delay the game. Overall defensively - especially first half - we were really, really compact and didn't allow too many chances to City."

On having belief at 1-0 down: "It was good because I think it was only three minutes. So we didn't have too much time. The reaction of the boys was amazing, to achieve a goal and keep believing that we can get out of this situation."

On upturn in form: "The fans today suffered alongside the boys, knowing that it's hard to play but like you said, there is a turning point in terms of believing and also performance that makes us positive for the future."

On moving out of the bottom three: "It doesn't mean much. It means that we are achieving points game after game, which is important, but the table can change at any moment. What we did was a good job, so let's rest and move to the next one."

Did you know?

• West Ham United now sit 17th in the Premier League table, the first time they will end a night outside the relegation zone since 2 December.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on West Ham's performance

What did you make of Man City's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Nuno Espirito Santo makes two changes to the West Ham side that started the win over Fulham in their last Premier League game.

Injured Crysencio Summerville misses out and Callum Wilson drops to the bench, with a third centre back - Konstantinos Mavropanos - and forward Pablo coming in.

It looks like a change of shape for the Hammers, from a 4-4-2 to five at the back.

West Ham XI: Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Disasi, Mavropanos, Todibo, Diouf; Hernandes, Soucek; Pablo, Castellanos, Bowen

Subs: Areola, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Wilson, Traore, Magassa, Potts, Kante, Mayers

Pep Guardiola makes three changes to the Manchester City XI which started their chastening midweek defeat at Real Madrid.

Matheus Nunes starts at right back, with Abdukodir Khusanov reverting to central defence and Ruben Dias dropping to the bench.

Wingers Jeremy Doku and Savinho are out, in come Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri. It looks like Guardiola has reverted to two up top.

Man City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Semenyo, Rodri, Bernardo, O'Reilly; Haaland, Marmoush

Subs: Trafford, Dias, Reijnders, Ake, Kovacic, Cherki, Doku, Nico, Foden

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Burnley v Bournemouth - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Sunderland v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Arsenal v Everton (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Chelsea v Newcastle (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• West Ham v Man City (20:00)

Kick-offs 15:00 unless stated

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Manchester City have not lost to West Ham in the league since 2015 but this will be a test for them.

The Hammers are desperate for points, while City melted in Madrid in midweek. From 3-0 down, I can't see them turning that tie around on Tuesday.

This is a big few weeks for Pep Guardiola's side, who have got Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals and are clinging on in Europe.

The quadruple is still on for City but, at the moment, you'd say they are far more likely to end up with a trophyless season than they are to win all four.

West Ham surprised me by beating Fulham in their last league game, but I am still not convinced by them at home.

This will be tricky for City but I think they will edge it. Everyone else seems to have lost faith in Erling Haaland, but not me. He will score, and City will win.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matt Jones

After a humiliating night in the Champions League, Manchester City will shift their focus back to the Premier League title race on Saturday (20:00 GMT) against a rejuvenated West Ham United.

Real Madrid hammered Pep Guardiola's side 3-0 at the Bernabeu to put City's hopes of European glory in major doubt. They could potentially find themselves with a 10-point gap to make up at the top of the table come kick-off on Saturday too, as Arsenal play at home against Everton earlier in the day.

They may start the weekend in the bottom three, but there is momentum behind West Ham. They have won seven of their past 11 games and can move out of the bottom three with a positive result on Saturday.

Hammers seek alternative attacking plan

The positive feeling around London Stadium reached its high point on Monday night as the team progressed into the FA Cup quarter-finals after a penalty shootout win over Brentford. But it was punctured the day after by some injury news.

Crysencio Summerville has been key to the team finding some form in recent months, although he will not be available for this weekend's game because of a calf problem.

The Dutch winger has scored seven goals and registered one assist across his past 13 games, and West Ham's record without him in the side this season leaves a lot to be desired. They have won none of their five league games without him in 2025-26.

Summerville has also been crucial to West Ham getting into good positions in games. Four of his goals this season have put the Hammers 1-0 up, the highest proportion of opening goals of any player to score at least four times this term.

Even with their star winger, City would represent a big test for West Ham. They have not beaten them at London Stadium in nine attempts in the top flight, losing seven and drawing two. City are unbeaten in 20 Premier League games overall against the Hammers.

Haaland hindered by Semenyo arrival?

Wednesday's heavy defeat in Madrid will be tough for City to brush off. But they have no choice if they are to keep pace in the title race.

Although City have lost only one of their past 17 Premier League games, there is still a sense that the team is lacking balance. Since the arrival of Antoine Semenyo, there has definitely been a shift in style too.

City have started with a two-man strike force in eight of their past 10 matches. Guardiola has gone with two strikers in seven league games this calendar year; he had previously played with two up front just 10 times in the competition since joining City in 2016.

While Semenyo has been a big hit at City - he has seven goals and two assists already - he has yet to gel with star forward Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian scored 20 of his 22 goals this season before Semenyo joined and made his City debut, but he has netted only two goals in matches in which the January signing has also started since.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

In the battle at the bottom, Wolves and Burnley are all but down barring a footballing miracle, which leaves one spot that is likely to be filled by one of Leeds, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

With the most points on the board already, Leeds have the kindest run-in on paper, with just one game against a side from the top six (Manchester United on 13 April) and home games against both of the bottom two.

Meanwhile, it would seem like West Ham are the most likely to be relegated as not only do they currently sit in the bottom three, they also have the toughest run-in of the four sides.

However, the reason why Tottenham and Nottingham Forest fans have reason to be nervous is that the Hammers' performances have improved considerably under Nuno Espirito Santo's guidance in recent weeks.

Only four Premier League teams have taken more points from their past eight games than the east Londoners (14) and only four teams have a higher expected goal difference in that time, suggesting the upturn has not been down to luck.

Read more here

Manchester United have been scouting West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who will seek a summer move if the club are relegated. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Flora Snelson
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester City at London Stadium (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Crysencio Summerville is out with calf issue, with a prognosis to be confirmed.

• Nuno denied that returning to the field after receiving treatment against Brentford made Summerville's injury worse: "It can happen at any moment. He was a big help to the team."

• He said that Monday was "a memorable night" and puts their FA Cup progress down to "hard work, unity, team spirit and some luck".

• On the positive atmosphere amid a relegation battle: "The togetherness, the unity has been amazing, realising that everyone is needed and must give their best."

• When asked if he will watch Spurs, Nottingham Forest and Leeds at the weekend: "I'm going to watch all of the games - some of them live, some of them afterwards. I watch all the games - not only the opponents that we have - from the perspective of work. Seeing what can I take - sometimes ideas, I try to steal them, try to apply them to our team. It's always nice, it's always helpful."

• On Mateus Fernandes: "He's a young player who still has a lot to develop. He's shown a lot of character and he always gives it his all."

• On Axel Disasi: "He's integrated himself really well in the squad. He's doing really well. Credit to him."

• When asked to comment on Manchester City's flexibility when players such as Erling Haaland have not been available, Nuno said: "They have an identity so that any player that you put in immediately clicks. So many options, so many talented players."

• Former goalkeeper Nuno said of Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky's "tough" moment against Atletico Madrid: "How you come out of this moment defines you."

• He said goalkeeping is "probably" the loneliest position in the team and agreed with a reporter who suggested it is the hardest: "There is no hiding the huge responsibility of the goalie."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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West Ham would like to make the loan signing of Chelsea and France defender Axel Disasi, 28, permanent if they secure Premier League survival, but are not willing to match the £38.8m fee Chelsea paid for him in 2023. (Mail+ - subscription required)., external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Nevin was asked who this season's unsung hero was - and one of his two selections was West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

Most players and managers in the Premier League get their moment in the limelight at some point if they are doing a halfway decent job.

‌After an understandably difficult start, Nuno down at West Ham is getting plenty of knowing nods towards him.

He did an incredible job at Forest and if he does overhaul his old side, how will those who were so keen to get him out so soon after an extraordinary season finishing seventh feel?

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James Jones
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Given West Ham's predicament in the Premier League this season, many might think that a cup run could be a distraction from the most important task at hand. Survival.

But I think the opposite is true with this current group of players. Since the FA Cup third round victory over QPR in January, West Ham have lost just twice in 11 games.

They've reduced the gap to Premier League safety from seven points to two and now look the most likely to stay up.

But it's not just an improvement in form which has given West Ham a chance of ending a torrid season on a high, it's the visible confidence and team spirit in the dressing room that is so clearly driving this squad of players on.

The scenes on the pitch and in the dressing room after Konstantinos Mavropanos smashed in the winning penalty against Brentford on Monday night showed all you need to know about the feeling throughout the squad.

• Can you name West Ham's squad last time they reached the FA Cup quarter-finals?

Just a few months ago, there were accusations that they just weren't playing for each other or the manager, that they just weren't up for the fight ahead.

But we're seeing the complete opposite now.

An FA Cup quarter-final at home to fellow relegation rivals Leeds in April will not be a distraction for this group of players because, as Joe Cole quite rightly put it after Monday night's impressive penalty shootout win over Brentford, having more games when confidence is high only further helps build confidence.

When you're winning football matches and playing well, you look forward to the next game and building momentum further.

So while Premier League survival will remain the ultimate priority for this West Ham squad, reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals and being one game away from a semi-final at Wembley will arguably give the Hammers even more drive that they can continue this run of form and, potentially, make history.

Leeds are in the same boat. Nottingham Forest and Tottenham, aside from their exploits in Europe this week, should be worried.

Find more from James Jones at We Are West Ham, external

West Ham are into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

You might be excused for pinching yourself today given it has been 10 years since the Hammers made it this far.

But can you remember the squad from their quarter-final replay against Manchester United in April 2016?

Eighteen names on the teamsheet - try our quiz to see how you get on.

Name the players

We asked for your thoughts after Monday FA Cup game between West Ham and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Mike: Nuno made seven changes but the lads who came in really shone! Looking a completely different group of players this late in the season! Immaculate penalties!

Joe: Penalties could have been avoided if we buried chances but glad we got it over the line. Kante looked good and was happy to see Pablo back in the line-up. Keep up this form and we should have no problem climbing up the league and keeping this cup run alive.

Steve: I was not confident with the Hammers line-up, especially with Summerville on the bench. However, the first 11 were so much better than I anticipated. Interestingly, the players who they brought on did not perform like they can. I was impressed with Mavropanos. Jarrod always does well. What a penalty shootout. A great team effort. Well done Nuno too.

Jon: Phew! What a great cup tie. Well done West Ham great win. Look out Leeds we are coming for you.

Brentford fans

Brahams: If this was a league game I would be happy with the draw, solid defending and Kelleher was on top form. But it felt a bit flat in the middle, Lewis-Potter and Donovan kept the attacking spark. With Thiago doing what he does best, but there's only so much he can do. Became too reliant on long balls and throw-ins, nothing like the quick and silky play we can produce. Won't mention the penalty, but a wasted chance to really progress in the game cup. Europe here we come!

Isaac: Great game, end to end, both teams was huffing and puffing for the winner, wish we didn't leave the cup that way but oh well. A lot to play for in the league so it's not the worst thing. Igor Thiago scoring goals never gets old.

Paul: Disgraceful penalty, why would you do that in such an important game, was never going to win the cup but had a good chance of a semi-final at Wembley....

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen spoke to BBC Sport after their penalty shootout win over Brentford in the FA Cup.

"That is what we have needed, a bounce back, a lift," he said. "I go back to the QPR game which was almost a season-changing moment for us, going through again in extra time, and then going to Tottenham and playing Sunderland and we won those games.

"Sometimes it can take a game like that to really turn your season around and we have been improving week by week.

"Tonight again we faced another side that are really difficult to play against and it took penalties to get there but you see the celebrations at the end, players, fans, everyone enjoying it. It's what this club has missed this season.

"I enjoy scoring goals and I enjoy being captain of this club. It has not been an easy season, you are the captain and the questions are going to come to you, so you have to step up and answer.

"Maybe I haven't done it as well as I would have liked the last few weeks but I never hide away from a situation. I always try to stand up and be counted. I know goals will come in my game and thankfully tonight I got two goals and it helped us to win the game."

West Ham striker Callum Wilson has verbally agreed terms on a new one-year contract despite Celtic's interest in the 34-year-old Englishman. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to the BBC: "We are happy, we are delighted, that we achieved what we proposed to do.

"It was a tough match but it was a fantastic atmosphere, the London Stadium is helping us so much, so I think we deserved to give this moment of happiness to our fans.

"We started well. It was a very tight game, Brentford are a very good team, but in the second half we had the chances to put the game to bed, but the final pass or the final combination didn't come through. Then we allowed the transition for Brentford which put us with 30 minutes and then penalties. The answer of the squad was good, we made a lot of changes and the players that came in helped, so it's positive.

"I believe the FA Cup helps in terms of motivation, in terms of everybody being switched on, knowing that they are going to have the chance to play. During the week many of the players work very hard and then we cannot reward them in the game and sometimes it is unfair. Having the FA Cup alongside the situation in the league will help the squad work even more and compete even more, we need all the players."

On Summerville's injury: "Let's assess him. He felt a knock. I don't know exactly what he has. It is concerning but hopefully we recover with this moment of joy. We'll get better, we'll be faster and we will be able to compete against [Manchester] City.

"Enjoy for a couple of hours and then refocus, recover well and respect your body. It was a big effort from a lot of the players. Then we have to go again."

On being a game away from Wembley: "Like I said, it keeps everybody alive, not dreaming but believing that it is possible to achieve something great brings the best out of them."

Did you know?

• Since Brentford became a Premier League side in 2021-22, no player has more goals in all competitions against the Bees than Jarrod Bowen (seven, level with Phil Foden and Mohamed Salah). Bowen has only scored more than once in two of his past 129 games for the Hammers – both at home against Brentford (hat-trick in February 2024, two in this match).