West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes believes the Hammers have turned a corner following their 3–2 Premier League victory over Burnley at London Stadium. The 21-year-old Portuguese starlet praised his teammates’ spirit and mentality, insisting the squad is “playing like we know” again after a turbulent start to the season.
The win — West Ham’s second in succession after beating Newcastle United — lifted Nuno Espírito Santo’s side up the table and ended months of inconsistency. Fernandes, who has scored twice and assisted twice in his last ten league appearances, has been at the heart of the revival.
Fernandes hails team mentality after dramatic Burnley win
Speaking after the comeback victory, Fernandes said the team’s determination and togetherness made the difference.
“Once again, we deserved it,” he said. “The game against Leeds was perhaps the most important for us this season, to look at what we did wrong and what we can do much better. We worked hard in silence, and now we’re playing like we train — with confidence and purpose.” — Mateus Fernandes, West Ham midfielder
West Ham had to come from behind after Zian Flemming put Scott Parker’s Burnley ahead. Callum Wilson equalised just before half-time with a precise header, before substitute Tomáš Souček turned the game around with a close-range strike. Kyle Walker-Peters added a third late on, ensuring Josh Cullen’s stoppage-time goal for Burnley was merely a consolation.
Fernandes credited the entire squad for their character and tactical discipline, pointing to the influence of Nuno Espírito Santo’s emphasis on mentality and calm under pressure.
“When we start losing in the Premier League, it’s even more difficult,” Fernandes explained. “So it’s about mentality. We worked very hard in these last two weeks on this, and now we believe we’re playing like we know — with joy and confidence.”
Praise for “super-sub” Tomáš Souček
Fernandes reserved special praise for Tomáš Souček, who came off the bench at 1–1 and helped turn the game on its head.
“You can see all the players matter,” Fernandes said. “Tomáš came from the bench and was the difference. For me, he was the Man of the Match. He’s a top guy, a top professional. We want more victories now, and we want to continue these games.” — Mateus Fernandes
Souček’s strike and tireless pressing epitomised West Ham’s fighting spirit — a quality that Fernandes says has been rekindled in recent weeks. The Hammers have now scored six goals in their last two league matches, suggesting that their attacking rhythm is returning at a crucial stage of the campaign.
Fernandes growing in confidence under Nuno
The Portuguese midfielder, who joined West Ham in 2024, has quietly become a key part of Nuno’s midfield structure. His energy, vision, and work rate have been instrumental in recent performances, while his passing precision and defensive discipline continue to improve.
| Stat (2025/26) | Mateus Fernandes |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 10 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Accurate Passes | 92% |
| Key Passes (per game) | 1.2 |
| Tackles (per game) | 2.3 |
| Balls Recovered (per game) | 2.7 |
source: Sofascore data – 10 November 2025
Fernandes also highlighted the influence of senior teammates in helping him develop his game. “It’s so easy to play with [Lucas] Paquetá, [Tomáš] Souček, [Freddie] Potts, [Soungoutou] Magassa, Guido Rodríguez, and [Andy] Irving,” he said. “We have a lot of quality here. The manager told me what I need to improve, and I’ll keep working.”
Our View: Fernandes key to West Ham’s revival
FootballPlace believes Fernandes has become a central figure in West Ham’s resurgence. “He’s added both creativity and composure in midfield,” he said. “At 21, he’s proving he can be a complete box-to-box player. His 92% passing accuracy and defensive work show why Nuno Espírito Santo trusts him.”
“West Ham have looked revitalised in the past two games. If Fernandes continues to progress, he could become the heartbeat of this team.”
Key Insights
- Mateus Fernandes believes West Ham have “turned a corner” after two straight league wins.
- The Portuguese midfielder has 2 goals and 2 assists in 10 matches this season.
- Fernandes praised Tomáš Souček’s impact as a game-changing substitute.
- West Ham’s mentality and work rate have improved markedly under Nuno Espírito Santo.
- The Hammers now aim to build momentum after the international break.
What’s Next for West Ham?
West Ham’s next Premier League fixture comes after the international break, with a tough trip to Bournemouth before facing Liverpool at home. Fernandes will first link up with Portugal U21s for UEFA Euro qualifiers against Czechia, where he’s expected to start.
With growing confidence and form, Fernandes says the team’s focus now is consistency. “We know how big this club is,” he said. “We’ll work even more to win more and more games and points.”
👉 Can Mateus Fernandes inspire West Ham to sustain their Premier League revival into the festive period?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *