Hammers book their FA Cup quarter final place
West Ham 5 Burnley 1
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Thomas Hitzlsperger was on target on his West Ham debut as Avram Grant's side shrugged off their relegation worries to book a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a clinical hammering of Burnley.
The German, who had been out for six months with a thigh injury, opened the scoring with a 25-yard thunderbolt before Carlton Cole scored twice in three second-half minutes to put the Hammers in the driving seat.
The second of the England forward's strikes - a beautifully-taken half volley - was followed by Winston Reid's powerful header on the hour to make it 4-0.
An error by Robert Green gave Jay Rodriguez a consolation for the Clarets, but Grant's team scored again through Freddie Sears in injury time to seal the emphatic win and set up a quarter-final clash with Stoke.
Cole was not given a chance to seal his hat-trick as he was replaced by Jonathan Spector with 15 minutes left.
Burnley stopper Grant had to be at his best to tip over Ba's fizzing 25-yard volley 10 minutes from the end.
That was the Senegalese's last contribution as he was replaced Frederic Piquionne with eight minutes remaining.
The Frenchman ballooned a 30-yard effort over the Burnley goal near the death as the Hammers looked for a fifth.
Reid then pulled off a fantastic goal-line clearance at the other end before Sears wrapped the win up with an 15-yard strike at the death.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments