Turf at top for Manuel DEFEAT PUTS PELL’S JOB ON LINE
MANUEL PELLEGRINI edged closer to the sack as West Ham’s miserable run continued at Turf Moor.
It could be six and out for the under pressure former Manchester City boss with his side winless in half a dozen games, collecting just two points in the process.
The 66-year-old Chilean was again undermined by his stand-in keeper Roberto, who looks as comfortable as a turkey awaiting Christmas since replacing the injured Lukasz Fabianski.
The Spaniard was culpable for two of the goals last weekend in the home defeat to Newcastle and again erred as Sean Dyche’s side couldn’t have had more accommodating opponents in which to arrest their own mini-slide of three straight reverses.
VAR couldn’t rescue the woeful Hammers, Burnley having a ‘goal’ chalked off in a contentious decision which was accompanied by another interminable wait for the final decision.
Pellegrini confessed: “When you go six games without a win you have to be concerned.”
Asked about his calamity keeper he replied: “I prefer not to analyse individual performances. But I do worry when a player is not at his best.”
The club’s hierarchy, who had visions of challenging for a top-six spot, are now looking anxiously over their shoulders as the relegation zone looms.
It was a nightmare day for Roberto from start to finish, while for bright Burnley it was redemption time.
Having lost 3-0 at Sheffield United last weekend they came back with a bang led, by the mercurial Dwight Mcneil.
Dyche said: “Last week we weren’t close. We were way off the mark. Today it came flooding back. We had a blip last week but this time the players’ mentality was spot on.” The home side were fortunate to be awarded a 10th-minute corner, a ricochet t actually nicking off Ashley Barnes. arnes.
But the e striker took advantage as Roberto flapped at Mcneil’s kick and James Tarkowski ki headed back for Barnes to o flick in from close range.
While the he Hammers looked like they were treading water Burnley were in overdrive and were unfortunate ortunate to see a devastating ng move come to nothing. g.
Mcneil’s l’s superb cross was headed in by Chris Wood but the striker r was fractionally offside. ffside.
But in front ront of watching New Zealand aland boss Danny Hay the Kiwi iwi quickly responded with a legal al strike, firing in from another inviting nviting Mcneil cross.
The second cond half didn’t get any better for f the hh hapless l Hammers – or Roberto, who suffered his nadir moment in the 54th minute when he punched an Ashley Westwood corner into his own net.
He pleaded for VAR to come to his rescue but this time there was no respite.
West Ham had lost skipper Mark Noble to injury early on and had substitute Manuel Lanzini stretchered off near the end with a damaged shoulder.
England midfielder Declan Rice wasn’t impressed. “We were bullied all over the pitch,” he admitted. “It’s not good enough.”
That verdict will no doubt be shared in the West Ham boardroom.