West Ham United survived a massive FA Cup scare against League One strugglers Burton Albion on February 14, 2026. Crysencio Summerville’s extra-time winner proved the difference in a tense 1-0 victory at the Pirelli Stadium [citation:1][citation:3]. This story of the Hammers clinging to cup glory will be remembered as a true classic. Therefore, let us break down how Nuno Espirito Santo’s side escaped Staffordshire with their FA Cup dreams intact.
Burton, fighting for survival in League One, pushed their Premier League opponents to the absolute limit. The Brewers even had a legitimate penalty appeal waved away in the first half [citation:8]. This journey through a dramatic afternoon reveals why the underdogs came agonisingly close to the upset of the season. The chapter of FA Cup history this match represents will long be remembered by both sets of fans.
How the Match Unfolded: Burton’s Brave Resistance
Nuno Espirito Santo made ten changes to his starting lineup from the midweek draw with Manchester United [citation:2]. Kostas Mavropanos was the sole survivor, captaining a much-changed side that included full debuts for January arrivals Adama Traoré, Keiber Lamadrid, and Mohamadou Kanté [citation:7]. Therefore, the Hammers fielded an inexperienced and disjointed team.
Burton, by contrast, smelled blood from the first whistle. They were unlucky not to take the lead inside ten minutes when Jake Beesley was blatantly barged over by Mavropanos in the box. The referee waved away the appeals, but replays suggested it was a clear penalty [citation:8]. Consequently, West Ham survived an early scare.
The Brewers continued to impress in the first half, outshooting their Premier League opponents seven attempts to two [citation:4]. Kyran Lofthouse and Tyrese Shade looked particularly dangerous, causing constant problems down the flanks. Meanwhile, West Ham looked disjointed and unable to cope with Burton’s physicality.
The Winner: Summerville Strikes Again
As the clock ticked towards full-time, the tie remained goalless. Nuno turned to his bench, introducing Crysencio Summerville and Taty Castellanos to inject fresh energy [citation:5]. The change worked immediately after the restart of extra time.
In the 95th minute, Ezra Mayers found Summerville in the box. The Dutch winger cut inside and unleashed a right-footed shot that took a crucial deflection off a Burton defender [citation:5][citation:9]. The ball looped over goalkeeper Bradley Collins and nestled into the top right corner.
This marked Summerville’s sixth goal in his last seven appearances for the Hammers [citation:4][citation:5]. His rich vein of form has been a rare bright spot in a difficult Premier League campaign. Consequently, the substitute once again proved his worth as a game-changer.
Potts’ Red Card: A Nervy Finish
Just when West Ham thought the hard work was done, disaster struck. Substitute Freddie Potts lunged in from behind on Burton’s Julian Larsson in the 101st minute [citation:3]. The referee showed a straight red card, reducing the Hammers to ten men.
The sending off completely changed the dynamic of the final 20 minutes. Burton threw everything at the West Ham goal, sensing a famous replay would be beyond them. However, Alphonse Areola stood firm between the sticks, denying Kain Adom and Kgaogelo Chauke in a frantic goalmouth scramble [citation:3].
In the dying seconds, Kyran Lofthouse dragged a shot agonisingly wide of the post [citation:5]. The miss summed up Burton’s heroic yet heartbreaking afternoon. Therefore, West Ham breathed a massive sigh of relief when the final whistle confirmed their progression to the fifth round.
Full Match Details: Lineups and Statistics
Final Score: Burton Albion 0-1 West Ham United (AET)
Scorer: Crysencio Summerville (95′)
Red Card: Freddie Potts (West Ham, 101′) [citation:3]
Burton Albion XI: Collins; Lofthouse, Godwin-Malifé, Vancooten, Armer; Revan (Sibbick 60′), McKiernan, Evans; Krubally, Shade (Adom 105′), Beesley (Cannon 105′) [citation:2][citation:6].
West Ham United XI: Areola; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos (c), Kilman, Mayers; Magassa, Kanté (Potts 91′), Lamadrid (Orford 119′), Scarles (Summerville 71′); Adama (Disasi 115′), Wilson (Taty 71′) [citation:2].
Off-Field Drama: Fans Protest Ownership
The tension was not confined to the pitch. During the first half, a protest plane flew over the Pirelli Stadium. It trailed a banner aimed at West Ham’s board, reading: “Sullivan Out, Brady Out” [citation:4][citation:9].
Chants of “sack the board” echoed from the away end throughout the contest. The performance will have done little to appease disgruntled supporters, even though the result went their way. Consequently, the off-field unrest shows no sign of abating despite the win.
Despite the protests and the poor performance, West Ham advanced to the fifth round for the first time since 2023 [citation:10]. They join the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, and Newcastle in Monday’s draw.
Nuno’s Verdict: ‘We Got Away With One’
Speaking after the match, Nuno Espirito Santo admitted his side had been below par. “We knew it would be tough. Burton made it very difficult for us. We got away with one today” [citation:9]. However, the manager praised his team’s resilience to hold on with ten men.
Burton boss Gary Bowyer was immensely proud of his players. “We went toe-to-toe with a Premier League side. The lads gave everything. I couldn’t ask for any more” [citation:1]. The performance, despite the loss, will give his relegation-threatened side a massive confidence boost.
The focus for West Ham now returns to Premier League survival. They sit dangerously close to the relegation zone. Therefore, Nuno will need to decide whether the FA Cup is a welcome distraction or an unnecessary burden [citation:9].
FAQs
Who scored for West Ham against Burton?
Crysencio Summerville scored the only goal of the game. He netted in the 95th minute of extra time. It was his sixth goal in his last seven matches.
Why did Freddie Potts get a red card?<brpotts received="" a="" straight="" red="" card="" for="" dangerous="" tackle="" on="" julian="" larsson.="" the="" foul="" occurred="" in="" 101st="" minute.="" it="" left="" west="" ham="" to="" play="" final="" 20="" minutes="" with="" ten="" men.
Was there a VAR check for the Burton penalty?<brno, var="" was="" not="" in="" operation="" for="" this="" fourth-round="" tie.="" it="" is="" only="" introduced="" from="" the="" fifth="" round="" of="" fa="" cup.="" therefore,="" referee's="" decision="" to="" wave="" play="" on="" final.
Where can I watch the highlights?<brhighlights are="" available="" on="" the="" official="" west="" ham="" united="" website="" and="" app.="" bbc="" also="" showed="" extended="" highlights="" one="" iplayer.="" tnt="" sports="" broadcast="" match="" live="" in="" uk="" [citation:10].
How did the fans protest during the game?<bra protest="" plane="" flew="" over="" the="" pirelli="" stadium="" trailing="" a="" banner="" reading="" "sullivan="" out,="" brady="" out."="" away="" fans="" also="" chanted="" against="" board="" throughout="" match="" [citation:4][citation:9].
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