Crysencio Summerville Shines as West Ham Secures FA Cup Victory

omidbasir- Crysencio Summerville has made 23 appearances for West Ham this season.

Once again, Crysencio Summerville proved to be West Ham’s savior. The 25-year-old made a significant impact off the bench, scoring a last-minute goal that secured a narrow victory over Burton Albion in the FA Cup, following a tense encounter that required extra time.

His 95th-minute winner marked his sixth goal in seven games, demonstrating his crucial role as the team faced off against their League One opponents. This performance echoed a similar scenario in the third round, where West Ham edged past QPR in extra time after Summerville had initially given them the lead.

In recent matches, he has also scored vital goals against Tottenham, Sunderland, and Burnley, revitalizing West Ham’s bid for Premier League survival. “We knew it would be challenging to come here, but we dug deep under pressure,” Summerville remarked to TNT. “I try to contribute whenever I come in, and I was pleased to help today. These matches can be open, and I focused on my one-on-one opportunities, which is where I excel. After my injury, I am just happy to be back on the pitch and show my capabilities weekly.”

During his final season with Leeds, Summerville scored an impressive 21 goals, but the team fell short against Southampton in the Championship play-off final. This performance encouraged Leeds to invest £25 million in him in August 2024, but his debut season was marred by injury, limiting him to just one goal in 22 appearances due to a significant hamstring surgery that sidelined him for seven months.

Finding form again has been a gradual process; he was unable to score in his first 16 appearances this season. However, the Netherlands Under-21 international has now proven to be a consistent match-winner for West Ham, fueling his ambitions for a World Cup spot this summer.

Teammate Konstantinos Mavropanos shared his insights with BBC Radio 5Live, stating, “We always knew the caliber of player we were getting, and now that he is in top form, it’s crucial for him to maintain this momentum. The team has been improving, and we all strive to support one another, especially Cry.”

Summerville’s last six goals spanned a total of 56 matches across all competitions, with five for Leeds and one for West Ham. His revival comes at a critical time, as the Hammers currently sit third from the bottom in the Premier League, just three points shy of safety, with Nottingham Forest in 17th place.

West Ham will host Bournemouth this Saturday before traveling to Liverpool on February 28, with Summerville having recaptured the form that justified the club’s substantial investment in him. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo commented on Summerville’s current confidence, stating, “He is in a good moment; everything seems to go well for him, and we must capitalize on that. Confidence is key in football, and he is working diligently for the team.”

While Nuno chose to introduce Summerville in the 83rd minute instead of earlier, he emphasized that making ten changes was the right call for the team. “Sometimes you get it right, and sometimes you don’t, but the respect for the players who began the match is paramount,” he noted.

“We anticipated that Burton would come on strong; every throw-in and set-piece required our full attention, and the players performed well in this regard. As fatigue set in during extra time, Summerville’s fresh legs were invaluable. When he is one-on-one in space, he becomes nearly unstoppable.”