#west-ham

#west-ham

The absence of the wantaway Lucas Paqueta has given Mateus Fernandes a chance to take on more responsibility for West Ham. Paqueta, who is said to be nursing a minor back problem, was unavailable again for last week's win against Spurs but Nuno Espirito Santo's struggling side coped without the Flamengo target. They called on Fernandes to dictate the flow in midfield and the diligent Portuguese did not disappoint.

Valentin Castellanos, who joined from Lazio earlier this month, scored the winner in the first half of extra-time, with other new recruit Pablo Felipe also playing his part. West Ham's January spending has already hit a reported £47m, and Nuno explained that the team need more new additions if they are to recover from their poor start.

Forget the magic of the FA Cup, for West Ham the reality of what is likely to be a Championship fixture next season. An indicator that life in the second tier will be no cakewalk. That QPR took them to extra-time will do little for Nuno Espirito Santo's standing, despite a first win since 8 November. There were, though, positives to take in the performance of Taty Castellanos, the Argentinian striker who scored the Hammers' winning goal.

He said on talkSPORT: John McGinn again, another good performance from John. You know what you're going to get from John every week. People must look at John McGinn and get a buzz because he always gives 100 per cent. He's got quality as well, there's no doubt about that, but the desire to play is fantastic. You need John McGinn at West Ham at the moment, he'd get people going there.

"I'm really happy because it's a very important challenge for me personally, and I've come to contribute, to try to help the team as much as I can," Castellanos told the club's website.

With the Hammers struggling for goals in the Premier League, Coventry City's in-form striker Ellis Simms has emerged as a key target to lead the line at the London Stadium. According to a recent report from The Telegraph, West Ham have identified Ellis Simms as a primary option to bolster their attacking ranks this winter. While the club has also monitored Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, the financial hurdles for the Norwegian are significant.

As per Hammers News, Tomas Soucek was expected to start due to Nuno taking the decision to drop Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa to the bench, but in the end, it was previously-outcasted Guido Rodriguez that got the nod, in what has been seen as a clear indication of where the Czech Replublic international stands at the London Stadium. Soucek is now considered to be fifth or sixth choice in defensive midfielder, which indicates that he has little future at West Ham.

Watch Brighton vs West Ham today as the Seagulls get an immediate chance to get back to winning ways at the Amex. FourFourTwo brings you all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world. It was a frustrating midweek for Brighton & Hove Albion, who went 2-0 up against Aston Villa but lost their unbeaten home record by conceding four goals at the Amex Stadium.

However, a football agent has now informed Claret & Hugh that the player has no interest in joining the London club. Top teams across Europe are interested in signing Dju, and a move to West Ham would be a step down for him. Furthermore, he is likely to cost a lot of money. The agent claimed: Franculino will cost 40 million in the summer, 60 million in January, has 810 clubs interested, and has zero interest in West Ham.

West Ham are expected to be busy in January, as they seek to add much-needed signings to Nuno Espirito Santo's squad. The Portuguese will have his say in the process, and he wants to be reunited with one of his former players at the London Stadium. Aside from Jarrod Bowen, West Ham have struggled in attack, so it is expected that the club's sporting department will address the forward areas. An injection of pace could come, which is where Adama Traore would be ideal