Valentin Castellanos marked his West Ham debut with the winning goal in extra time, securing a 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup third round. The Argentine striker’s header, coming after Richard Kone had leveled for QPR, spared West Ham from further scrutiny as they navigate a difficult period in the Premier League.
The match, played on , extended West Ham’s winless run to ten games prior to the result, a streak that has piled pressure on manager Nuno Espirito Santo. While the performance wasn’t a resounding display of form, the win avoids a third consecutive third-round exit in the FA Cup and provides a much-needed boost before a crucial Premier League fixture against Tottenham.
The breakthrough for West Ham came in the first half through Crysencio Summerville, who capitalized on a period of sustained pressure following an injury to Konstantinos Mavropanos. The centre-back’s injury led to nine minutes of added time, and Summerville made it count, smashing the ball in from close range. However, QPR, backed by approximately 9,000 travelling supporters, responded effectively in the second half.
Richard Kone’s glancing header from a Karamoko Dembele cross brought QPR level, injecting renewed confidence into the Championship side. The equalizer forced the match into extra time, where Castellanos ultimately proved to be the difference. His headed goal, connecting with Summerville’s cross, was clinical and decisive, marking his first goal for the club since joining from Lazio on .
Despite the victory, the match was described as “scrappy and uncomfortable” – a far cry from the dominant performances West Ham will need to consistently deliver to climb out of the relegation zone. The Hammers currently sit seven points from safety in the Premier League, and the FA Cup win, while welcome, doesn’t necessarily signal an imminent turnaround in form.
Summerville’s performance, however, was a bright spot for West Ham. While Castellanos grabbed the headlines with the winning goal, Summerville provided the spark the team desperately needed. He tested QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh early in the game and ultimately broke the deadlock before half-time. The hosts, who made six changes to their starting lineup, including leaving out Lucas Paqueta, relied heavily on Summerville’s creativity and direct running.
The win over QPR ended a ten-game winless streak for West Ham, their last victory prior to this coming against Burnley on in a 3-2 Premier League encounter. The FA Cup progression sees them advance to the fourth round, offering a potential opportunity for further cup success, but the primary focus remains on Premier League survival.
For QPR, the defeat represents a missed opportunity to cause an upset against a struggling Premier League side. Their strong support and spirited performance demonstrated their ambition, but they fell short against a West Ham team desperate for a positive result. The Championship side will now return their attention to their league campaign, where they continue to compete for promotion.
Nuno Espirito Santo will undoubtedly take relief from the victory, particularly given the scrutiny surrounding his position. The win alleviates some of the pressure and provides a platform for improvement. However, the manager will be aware that a sustained period of positive results is required to secure West Ham’s Premier League status. The upcoming match against Tottenham will be a stern test of their resolve and a crucial indicator of their ability to turn their season around.
Castellanos’ arrival from Lazio for a reported £25.2m was intended to bolster West Ham’s attacking options, and his match-winning goal suggests he could prove to be a valuable addition. However, the team’s overall performance indicates that more than just individual brilliance is needed to address their wider issues. The focus will now be on building a more consistent and cohesive team performance, starting with the challenging fixture against Tottenham.
