West Ham edge past Burton to reach FA Cup fifth round

West Ham United booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over League One side Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday.

Crysencio Summerville scored the decisive goal in extra time, his sixth in seven appearances across all competitions, to secure the win for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.

West Ham were reduced to ten men shortly after the breakthrough when Freddie Potts was shown a red card in the first period of extra time, but the Premier League side held on to see out the match.

The Hammers, currently three points above the relegation zone, struggled for rhythm against their lower-league opponents. Burton had early chances, with Tyrese Shade forcing a save from goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, while Callum Wilson’s shot was comfortably held by Bradley Collins in the first half.

West Ham improved after the interval, testing Collins with efforts from Konstantinos Mavropanos, Wilson, and Soungoutou Magassa, but it was Summerville’s moment of brilliance five minutes into extra time that settled the tie. He drove down the left flank and curled a deflected strike into the top corner.

Despite Potts’ dismissal in the 101st minute for a reckless challenge on Julian Larsson, West Ham survived late pressure from Burton, with Jack Armer and Kyran Lofthouse failing to convert late opportunities that could have forced a penalty shoot-out.

The victory provides a boost for West Ham as they continue to battle relegation in the Premier League, while Burton will take heart from their spirited performance against a top-flight side.