Alan Shearer heaps praise on “outstanding” Mateus Fernandes for setting the standard for West Ham in their clash with Burnley.
Nuno Espirito Santo has finally managed to lift the mood among West Ham United supporters as the team heads into the final international break of the year.
After a difficult start to his tenure, the Portuguese manager has now overseen back-to-back Premier League victories, including a dramatic 3–2 win over Burnley at the London Stadium on Saturday — a result that has brought a sense of renewed optimism to the fanbase.
The atmosphere around the club had been tense in the build-up to the match, with thousands of fans staging protests on November 8, calling for co-owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady to step down. However, the team’s recent performances under Nuno have started to turn some of that frustration into hope. The win against Burnley showcased plenty of positives, not least the impressive displays from several key players. Callum Wilson, in particular, may have answered Nuno’s long-standing striker dilemma with his sharp movement and decisive finishing. Meanwhile, Tomas Soucek made a significant impact in midfield, but it was Mateus Fernandes who truly stole the spotlight.
Fernandes, who arrived at West Ham during a turbulent period for the club, has endured a difficult settling-in process. Yet, his performance against Scott Parker’s Burnley side showed clear signs that he is now adapting to life in the Premier League. The young Portuguese midfielder was instrumental in dictating play, linking defence and attack seamlessly, and driving his team forward with composure and precision. According to Sofascore, Fernandes completed an incredible 98% of his passes — an exceptional figure for any Premier League midfielder, especially one consistently looking to play progressive, forward passes rather than opting for the safe option.
His dominant display did not go unnoticed. Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, legendary striker Alan Shearer was full of praise for the 22-year-old, describing him as “outstanding” and noting how he set the benchmark for his teammates. “I thought he was outstanding, and the stats will tell you, he was without a doubt the best player on the pitch,” Shearer said. “The overall standard wasn’t great at times, but he stood out. He worked hard both defensively and offensively and showed exactly what the West Ham fans want from their players.”
Nuno will undoubtedly be encouraged by Fernandes’ performance, which highlights the growing stability and balance in his midfield setup. After weeks of tactical tweaks and experimentation, it seems the West Ham boss has finally discovered his ideal midfield combination. Lucas Paquetá remains the creative hub, while young Freddie Potts continues to impress with his energy and composure. Fernandes’ emergence as a reliable and dynamic presence adds yet another dimension.
Soucek’s strong cameo from the bench may suggest that he will now serve as a valuable rotational option rather than a guaranteed starter — a testament to the quality now available in midfield. It’s a positive selection headache for Nuno Espirito Santo to have. What’s certain, though, is that Fernandes and Paquetá have become undroppable, and their partnership could be the key to sustaining West Ham’s upward momentum for the remainder of the season.
