Westwood injury mars Burnley’s first start without Dyche

Burnley’s English midfielder Ashley Westwood is evacuated on a stretcher after being injured following a tackle by West Ham United’s Coatian midfielder Nikola Vlasic (unseen) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Burnley at the London Stadium, in London on April 17, 2022. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)

Burnley began life without Sean Dyche with a 1-1 draw at West Ham on Sunday on a costly day for the Clarets as they lost midfielder Ashley Westwood to a sickening looking injury.

Westwood’s leg buckled underneath him in a routine challenge with West Ham’s Nikola Vlasic in the first-half and was given oxygen as he was stretchered off the field.

Vlasic was also in tears as he realised the seriousness of the injury which stopped play for a lengthy period.

“He’s gone to hospital and we’re waiting for an update. We’re hoping he’s OK and our thoughts are with him,” said Burnley interim boss Mike Jackson.

“You could see it wasn’t good from the reaction of the players. He looked distraught.”

Once the match did resume, Burnley went in front as Wout Weghorst powered home a close range header from a corner.

However, the visitors were made to rue a missed penalty from Maxwel Cornet before half-time as the Ivorian pulled his effort wide.

West Ham’s priority for the rest of the season is the Europa League with David Moyes’ men advancing to the semi-finals with an impressive 3-0 win at Lyon in midweek.

The Hammers showed signs of a European hangover but did salvage a point when Tomas Soucek forced home Manuel Lanzini’s free-kick 16 minutes from time.

Only a series of brilliant saves from Nick Pope to deny Michail Antonio and Issa Diop then denied the home side from a winner that would have taken them above