Crysencio Summerville’s extra-time strike rescued 10-man West Ham United from an embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of Burton Albion. The substitute, introduced by manager Nuno Espírito Santo in the 82nd minute, curled home a deflected shot four minutes into the additional period to secure a 1-0 victory at the Pirelli Stadium.
The win came at a cost, however, as Freddie Potts was sent off 11 minutes into extra time for a heavy challenge on Julian Larsson. West Ham then survived a tense finale, with Burton substitute Kain Adom seeing a late effort saved by Alphonse Areola and Kegs Chauke firing the rebound into the side-netting.
Burton had earlier seen a penalty appeal turned down when Konstantinos Mavropanos barged Jake Beesley in the box. The League One side, managed by Gary Bowyer, pushed their Premier League opponents all the way but ultimately lacked a cutting edge. “It was some effort but we couldn’t quite capitalise in key moments,” Bowyer said. “We had shown the boys what he [Summerville] is capable of doing and he did exactly that.”
West Ham’s performance was largely uninspiring until Summerville’s introduction. The first half was a drab affair, with Mohamadou Kanté’s skied shot summing up the visitors’ display. Adama Traoré, making his first start, provided a rare moment of quality nine minutes into the second half, but his dangerous cross was cleared just as Ollie Scarles prepared to strike.
Mavropanos headed wide and Callum Wilson forced a save from Burton goalkeeper Brad Collins, but clear chances were scarce. The game appeared destined for penalties before Summerville took matters into his own hands, drifting inside from the left and firing a curling shot that looped over Collins via a deflection.
Burton, 47 places below West Ham in the football pyramid, almost forced a replay but fell just short. Bowyer, who greeted his squad wearing boxing gloves, saw his team’s FA Cup run end at the fourth-round stage. West Ham will now face either Aston Villa or Tottenham in the fifth round.
