Burton vs West Ham: Summerville extra‑time strike sends ten‑man Hammers through
West Ham scraped past Burton 1-0 after extra time in the FA Cup fourth round, a tie settled by an Ellis Summerville finish that broke a stubborn deadlock. The visitors, reduced to ten men at some stage, held on to progress while a host of higher‑profile ties produced convincing wins elsewhere in the day.
How the tie unfolded
The match remained tight throughout 90 minutes as Burton defended resolutely and threatened on the break, forcing the contest into extra time. Chances were at a premium and both sides leaned on set pieces and tactical discipline as fatigue set in. It was in the added period that Summerville found the breakthrough, slotting home to spare West Ham the prospect of a penalty shootout and book a place in the fifth round.
West Ham’s performance was marked by defensive grit after going down to ten players, with the backline and goalkeeper absorbing pressure as Burton pushed for an equaliser. Ultimately, the visitors’ experience in knockout football proved decisive: they shaded the key moments and converted the one clear opportunity they needed.
Implications for Burton and West Ham
For Burton, the narrow exit will sting. The club stood firm for long spells and created openings, but a lack of clinical finishing — the fine margins in cup football — proved decisive. This cup run will nonetheless offer positives to build on: a performance that frustrated superior opposition and demonstrated belief in a defensive game plan.
West Ham advance and can take relief from surviving a tricky tie on the road. Progress lifts confidence and keeps the squad focused on multiple fronts, though the red card and extra time will raise questions over squad rotation and match management in the coming fixtures. The Hammers will need to recover quickly and manage minutes as they prepare for the next round.
Round roundup and talking points
The fourth round threw up several notable results across the day. Liverpool delivered a commanding 3-0 win over Brighton, with Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones on the scoresheet to send the Reds comfortably through. Newcastle staged a comeback to beat a ten‑man Aston Villa, inspired by a dominant midfield display that included standout contributions from Sandro Tonali.
In League One action, Mansfield produced a memorable comeback to beat struggling Burnley, highlighted by Louis Reed’s free‑kick and a fightback that will be celebrated at Field Mill. Burnley boss Scott Parker reflected on his side’s misses and the fine margins that cost them: “When I analyse the game we missed too many chances today, glorious chances where we could have put the game out of sight. We weren't clinical enough... What we didn't get was that little bit of quality which was needed. ” He added he remained confident in his position despite the disappointment.
Elsewhere, Manchester City overcame Salford 2-0, while Norwich beat West Brom 3-1 and Southampton edged Leicester 2-1, the latter featuring a spectacular bicycle‑kick equaliser earlier in the day that caught the eye. The fourth round produced a mix of professional displays from top teams and spirited performances from lower‑league sides, preserving the cup’s knack for drama and momentary upsets.
As the competition progresses, attention will turn to how top clubs manage congested schedules and whether lower‑league challengers can convert strong performances into giant‑killing runs. For now, Burton can take pride in a brave showing, and West Ham will prepare for a tougher draw in the next stage after a nervy, extra‑time success.
