Burnley 1-2 West Ham: Visitors come from behind to finish season on a high

By Pete Hall

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Andre Ayew scored the winner as West Ham came from behind to win 2-1 at Burnley and finish a tumultuous season on a high, claiming some extra prize money in the process.

Sam Vokes put Burnley in front in the 23rd minute as he slotted home Andre Gray's cross, but the Hammers were level four minutes later after Sofiane Feghouli finished off a fine move.

Ayew headed home from close range in the 72nd minute to complete the turnaround and put the Hammers on course for just a third win in 14 league outings, relieving some of the pressure on manager Slaven Bilic's shoulders.

Image: Andre Ayew celebrates his winning goal at Turf Moor

The three points means the Hammers climbed up table to finish the season in 11th to earn themselves that additional prize money, while Burnley missed the chance boost the coffers, dropping to finish in 16th.

Burnley brought Gray back into the side in place of Ashley Barnes, and the Clarets hitman almost had an immediate impact, but he got his lofted effort all wrong with Adrian stranded, and the ball drifted harmlessly wide.

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Down the other end, a man back in the Hammers side - Feghouli - brought the ball down on his chest before being denied by a smart stop from Tom Heaton.

Image: Sofiane Feghouli (second left) is congratulated on scoring his team's equaliser

James Tarkowski wasted a golden chance to break the deadlock, but could not guide his header on target from close range.

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The home crowd didn't have to wait long for a goal, however, as Gray burst down the right, fed the ball across for the onrushing Scott Arfield, who missed it completely, but Vokes was on hand to net his 10th of the season just behind.

Less than four minutes later we were back level again, as Feghouli finished off a fine move. Angelo Ogbonna fed the ball into Ayew, who flicked the ball through for Feghouli first time, before the impressive former Valencia man fired home.

Image: Sam Vokes celebrates scoring Burnley's opening goal

Feghouli then should have put the Hammers in front, but blasted over with the goal at his mercy following a fortunate ricochet.

After the break, the tempo slowed somewhat as neither side could conjure any real openings of note.

It took until 18 minutes from time for the half's first goalmouth action, and it proved to be the game's deciding moment.

Image: Vokes coolly slotted home to put his side in front

Edimilson Fernandes saw his thunderous effort brilliantly saved by Tom Heaton, but he could only beat the ball up into the air, it came down, hit the crossbar, and landed right on Ayew's head, a few yards out, and he just stood there, let the ball hit him and go into the net.

Manuel Lanzini curled a free-kick just over the top as the Hammers went in search of a third, but the two goals proved to be enough for a final day flourish.

Player ratings

Burnley boss Sean Dyche says his side should have been out of sight in the first half after defeat to West Ham.

Burnley: Heaton 6, Long 6, Lawton 6, Tarkowski 6, Ward 6, Brady 5, Westwood 4, Hendrick 5, Arfield 5, Vokes 6, Gray 6.

Subs: Defour 6, Barnes 6, Gudmundsson 6.

West Ham: Adrian 6, Cresswell 6, Collins 6, Ogbonna 6, Byram 7, Fonte 6, Feghouli 8, Lanzini 6, Snodgrass 5, Fernandes 5, Ayew 8.

Subs: Rice N/A, Fletcher 6

Man of the match: Sofiane Feghouli

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