Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos’ first West Ham goal spared his new side more woe as the Hammers edged past Queens Park Rangers in extra time in the FA Cup third round.
The Argentine, who joined from Lazio on Monday, headed in Crysencio Summerville’s cross to seal West Ham’s first win since 8 November.
But while the result prevented their crisis deepening, the performance offered little suggestion a much-needed upturn in form to escape relegation from the Premier League is imminent.
The Hammers started poorly and after Summerville fired in deep in first-half stoppage time they relinquished initiative in the second half.
Championship side QPR, encouraged by 9,000 supporters who had made the trip across London, grew in confidence and were rewarded when Richard Kone glanced in Karamoko Dembele’s cross.
Ultimately, though, this was a boost for beleaguered manager Nuno Espirito Santo, whose future at the club was questioned in the build-up.
It avoids a third successive exit in the third round for the Hammers and offers some relief before next week’s crucial Premier League match against Tottenham.
This was not a free-scoring victory to boost confidence and provide a template for the remainder of the season.
It was scrappy and uncomfortable at times but far better than the alternative for West Ham, who sit seven points from safety in the Premier League.
Castellanos, playing his second game for the club, will steal the headlines. His header was clinical but, in truth, it was Summerville who provided the spark the Hammers required.
The hosts, who made six changes including leaving out Lucas Paqueta while retaining Jarrod Bowen, did not have a shot in the first 32 minutes until Summerville tested QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh. He then powered beyond Walsh with effectively the last kick of the opening half.
To their credit, West Ham responded well to QPR’s equaliser, though the travelling fans were still singing: “Premier League, you’re having a laugh.”
As the game stretched, Summerville tested Walsh with a curling low strike and then produced a clever turn to put himself in down the left.
It allowed him the space to tee up Castellanos, who was not to be denied.
