Mads Hermansen kept a clean sheet on his West Ham United return, with both Jarrod Bowen and Nuno Espirito Santo giving a special mention to the goalkeeper following that 2-0 win at Burnley.
Nuno handed Hermansen his first Premier League start since the home defeat by Crystal Palace in September. His faith in the young glovesman would be rewarded.
West Ham might have equalled an unwanted club record had they conceded at Turf Moor. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side had conceded in each of their last 22 matches. A 23rd game without a clean sheet, then, would have put that record under threat ahead of the midweek clash with an in-form Manchester United.
Describe Mads Hermansen’s West Ham return in ONE word! 🧤
But thanks in part to a goalkeeper who grew in stature and confidence as the afternoon went on – Mads Hermansen – West Ham United leave Lancashire with all three points and a long-awaited clean sheet.
Sign up for free here to tell us what you thought of West Ham’s win!Jarrod Bowen and Nuno Espirito Santo hail West Ham United goalkeeper Mads Hermansen
Hermansen would make a couple of impressive – and arguably vital – saves as Burnley threatened to do to the Hammers what Chelsea did last week and what Bournemouth did in November.
The Dane’s highlight was a point-blank denial of Zian Flemming when Scott Parker’s side were threatening to halve the deficit just after the break.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
“I thought we did a really professional job,” captain Jarrod Bowen tells BBC Sport. “We had to ride our luck at times and defend well, but two really good goals and a clean sheet away from home is a really good result for us.
“You’ve got to ride your luck at times in football. I thought Mads made some really good saves but, on the whole, we played well away from home today.”
Nuno Espirito Santo lifts the lid on Hermansen’s Turf Moor recall
Who was your MOTM vs Burnley and why? Let us know in the comments 👇
Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images
Debutant Axel Disasi impressed alongside Konstantinos Mavropanos at centre-half. So while Nuno has a ‘very difficult decision’ to make when West Ham host Manchester United on Tuesday – does he stick with Hermansen or recall Alphonse Areola? – there is no guarantee that Jean-Clair Todibo will walk back into the XI when he is back from suspension.
“Mads has been working really well and waiting for his chance with patience and commitment,” Nuno said after a win which moves the Hammers to within three points of 17th-place Nottingham Forest.
“[The goalkeepers] help each other. [Areola] helped during the week, but it was important that we as a team achieved the main goal that we had – a clean sheet and being solid and compact.”
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