Nuno Espírito Santo has already warned West Ham United about the exact problem which resurfaced during Sunday’s extraordinary 2-2 draw with Burnley. Six months after admitting an attempt to protect a two-goal advantage against Chelsea had failed, another West Ham lead disappeared after the Hammers retreated in the second half at Turf Moor.
The similarities are uncomfortable.
West Ham led Chelsea 2-0 at half-time in January before eventually losing 3-2. Speaking several days later, Nuno explained that his team had expended significant energy playing aggressively before beginning to fade after around an hour.
His response was to strengthen the midfield.
It did not work.
Nuno already identified West Ham problem after Chelsea
Speaking through West Ham’s official website after the Chelsea defeat, Nuno said his side felt their energy disappear after around 55 or 60 minutes.
He then made the particularly revealing admission.
“We tried to rebalance the team with an extra body and it didn’t work out.”
Nuno concluded that West Ham’s challenge was maintaining their level throughout the whole match.
Six months later, the Championship opener at Burnley followed an eerily familiar pattern.
West Ham had 63 per cent possession during an impressive opening half and led through Max Kilman’s header.
But their attacking control disappeared after the interval.
James Ward-Prowse replaced Pablo Felipe as Nuno attempted to strengthen the midfield, and West Ham went the opening 25 minutes of the second half without registering a shot.
Burnley responded by applying increasingly sustained pressure.
Solomon goal hid growing Burnley danger
Manor Solomon temporarily disguised the problem.
Mohamadou Kanté created West Ham’s second goal in the 72nd minute and Solomon converted to put Nuno’s side 2-0 ahead.
At that stage, victory should have been secured.
But West Ham had already surrendered much of the control they enjoyed before half-time.
Zian Flemming had repeatedly threatened, including hitting the woodwork, before Ollie Scarles’ challenge on Marcus Edwards handed Burnley an 83rd-minute penalty. Flemming converted and Turf Moor suddenly sensed an opportunity.
Nuno reacted again.
With West Ham protecting a 2-1 lead in the 90th minute, defender Joel Veltman replaced attacking standout Solomon.
Two minutes later, Flemming scored again.
Burnley 2-2 West Ham.
West Ham cannot keep repeating same mistake
One Championship draw should not trigger sweeping conclusions about West Ham’s promotion prospects.
But the manner of it deserves attention precisely because Nuno has already diagnosed the issue himself.
That quality should allow West Ham to control Championship matches rather than simply survive them.
Nuno’s February comments showed he understood that adding defensive security does not automatically produce control.
Burnley provided another reminder.
West Ham were two goals ahead with less than 20 minutes remaining and still failed to win.
The concern is no longer whether Nuno recognises the problem.
It is whether he can finally fix it.
