It was billed as a relegation six-pointer, and Turf Moor certainly felt the pressure as Burnley hosted West Ham United on Saturday, February 7, 2026. With both teams languishing near the foot of the Premier League table—Burnley in 19th, West Ham in 18th—every point was precious. For Burnley, the stakes couldn’t have been higher: a staggering 15-game winless run had left them 11 points adrift of safety, and manager Scott Parker’s side desperately needed a spark to revive their survival hopes.
Recent form painted a grim picture for the Clarets. Just days before, they suffered a sobering 3–0 defeat at Sunderland, managing only three shots and not a single effort on target. The loss extended their winless streak in the league to 15 matches, and confidence was clearly at a premium. As Parker admitted before the match, "We have to find a way to break this cycle. The lads know what’s at stake, and it’s about character now."
Injuries have ravaged Burnley’s squad, further compounding their struggles. Key midfielders Josh Cullen and Zeki Amdouni were both ruled out with serious knee injuries, while defenders Jordan Beyer and Connor Roberts, along with attacker Mike Tresor, were also unavailable. To make matters worse, captain and midfield anchor James Ward-Prowse was ineligible to face his parent club, West Ham. The burden of creativity fell to Jaidon Anthony, with Lyle Foster leading the line in the absence of several regular starters. Martin Dúbravka, who has made more saves than any other keeper in the league this season, started in goal behind a back three of Axel Tuanzebe, Maxime Estève, and Ben Humphreys.
West Ham, meanwhile, arrived at Turf Moor having experienced their own rollercoaster run. After back-to-back wins over Tottenham and Sunderland, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side suffered heartbreak at Stamford Bridge, surrendering a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 against Chelsea. Despite that setback, the Hammers had shown signs of life, with attacking players like Crysencio Summerville and Taty Castellanos hitting form at a crucial time. Summerville, in particular, entered the match on a hot streak, scoring in four consecutive games.
However, West Ham were not without their own selection headaches. Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski remained sidelined with a back problem, and influential center-back Jean-Clair Todibo was suspended following a late red card at Chelsea. As a result, Alphonse Areola was expected to start in goal, with a reshuffled back line featuring Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman, and Edson Diouf. The midfield pairing of Tomas Soucek and Mateus Fernandes provided stability, while Jarrod Bowen, Summerville, and Pablo supported Castellanos up front.
The match kicked off at 15:00 GMT, but due to the UK’s traditional Saturday 3:00 PM blackout, fans in Britain had to rely on live updates and post-match highlights, with extended coverage set for BBC’s Match of the Day at 22:25 GMT. American viewers, meanwhile, could tune in via Peacock Premium.
From the opening whistle, Burnley’s defensive frailties were exposed once again. The Clarets have conceded a league-high six goals in the opening 10 minutes this season, and nerves were evident as West Ham pressed high. The visitors needed just 13 minutes to break the deadlock. After a slick move, Mateus Fernandes threaded a pass through to Summerville, who deftly dinked the ball over Dúbravka to make it 1-0. According to live blog coverage, "Summerville has scored in five games in a row!"—his clinical finishing proving the difference once more.
Burnley tried to respond, with Marcus Edwards and Anthony probing for an equalizer, but West Ham’s defense held firm. The Hammers doubled their lead in the 26th minute, capitalizing on a well-worked set piece. Diouf delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, and Castellanos, the January signing, powered home a low header. "Textbook Nuno ball," noted one commentator, as West Ham’s counter-attacking prowess shone through.
Despite falling two goals behind, Burnley refused to fold. The hosts threw men forward, creating a flurry of chances late in the first half. Flemming’s header was dramatically cleared off the line, and Edwards forced a fine save from Hermansen. The pressure continued after the break, with Burnley dominating possession and territory. Edwards curled an effort just wide, and another Burnley header was blocked in the six-yard box. Yet, for all their endeavor, the Clarets couldn’t find a way past West Ham’s resolute defense.
West Ham, content to sit deep and absorb pressure, looked dangerous on the counter. Bowen and Summerville continued to stretch Burnley’s back line, and Castellanos nearly added a third with a sharp turn and shot that flashed just wide. Nuno Espirito Santo’s tactical discipline was evident, as his side remained compact and denied Burnley space in the final third.
The final whistle confirmed what the scoreline had long suggested: Burnley 0, West Ham 2. The defeat leaves Burnley’s survival hopes hanging by a thread. With 14 games remaining, they remain 11 points from safety and have now failed to win in 16 consecutive Premier League matches. West Ham, by contrast, climbed out of the relegation zone with a composed, clinical display—underscoring their recent improvement under Nuno.
For Burnley, the path ahead looks daunting. Injuries, a lack of cutting edge, and defensive lapses have combined to leave them in deep trouble. As Scott Parker acknowledged post-match, "We have to regroup and keep believing. There’s still time, but we need to turn things around quickly."
West Ham fans, meanwhile, will take heart from the performance of their new signings and the continued hot streak of Summerville, whose fifth goal in as many games could prove vital in their fight for survival. The Hammers’ ability to weather Burnley’s late onslaught and strike on the break highlighted the growing confidence in the camp—a stark contrast to the uncertainty that has dogged their campaign until now.
As the dust settles on this relegation showdown, both teams know the battle is far from over. Burnley must find inspiration—and points—fast, while West Ham will hope to build on this momentum and steer clear of the drop. Turf Moor witnessed a contest full of tension and urgency, but it’s the Hammers who march on with renewed hope, leaving Burnley to ponder what might have been.