Joël Piroe made West Ham United history despite Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Charlton Athletic, becoming the 100th debutant to score for the club after finding the net at the London Stadium.
Nuno Espírito Santo gave the striker an immediate start following his season-long loan move from Leeds United, and Piroe provided the major positive from an otherwise damaging afternoon for the Hammers.
Joel Piroe becomes 100th West Ham debutant scorer
Charlton already led by two goals when Piroe dragged West Ham back into the contest in the 74th minute.
Taty Castellanos forced Arthur Okonkwo into a save, but Piroe reacted quickest to the loose ball and fired home from close range.
West Ham confirmed in their official match report that the finish made Piroe the 100th debutant to score for the club.
The goal provided an immediate return from a player West Ham recruited specifically to add proven Championship goals to Nuno’s attack.
Nuno started Piroe and fellow new arrival Arne Engels against Charlton, giving both players their first West Ham appearances.
Piroe’s goal briefly threatened to spark a comeback after Lloyd Jones and Tyreece Campbell had put Charlton 2-0 ahead.
West Ham then received a huge opportunity in stoppage time when Conor Coventry handled the ball inside the penalty area.
Castellanos sent Okonkwo the wrong way from the spot but struck the base of the post, leaving Piroe’s historic debut goal as only a consolation.
ReadWestHam covered the dramatic finish in our West Ham 1-2 Charlton match report, while Piroe also finished as our highest-rated Hammer in the West Ham player ratings against Charlton.
Supporters can also watch the West Ham v Charlton highlights on YouTube, including Piroe’s first goal for the club and Castellanos’ late penalty miss.
Nuno still had plenty to criticise after the final whistle. West Ham recorded 25 attempts and dominated possession but scored only once, while Charlton found the net twice from six shots.
Piroe at least offered immediate evidence of why West Ham moved quickly to add him to their promotion squad.
One appearance, one goal and a place in the club’s history books represents an encouraging start for Piroe, even if West Ham endured a miserable result around it.
