West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo faced jeers from supporters following his team’s uninspiring start to the Championship campaign, as the club remains winless after three league matches. The Hammers secured a 1-1 draw at Watford on Saturday, thanks to a rare own goal by the home side, but the performance left travelling fans frustrated.
The match, played at a rain-soaked Vicarage Road, saw Watford take the lead in the 19th minute through a fine strike by Amin Nabizada. The 19-year-old winger, born in the Midlands with Afghan heritage, displayed impressive dribbling before delivering a precise finish over West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen. This was Nabizada’s second goal of the season, following his strike against Southampton in the opening round.
West Ham’s equalizer arrived from an own goal in the 27th minute, stemming from a defensive error by Watford. Centre-back Kevin Keben faltered under pressure from West Ham’s Argentine forward Taty Castellanos near the byline, leading to confusion in the Watford penalty area. The resulting scramble ended with defender Mattie Pollock being credited with the own goal. The error proved costly for Watford, denying them victory despite dominant periods.
The match drew a vocal reaction from the West Ham fans, with approximately 2,200 traveling supporters openly expressing their dissatisfaction by chanting “You’ll get the sack in the morning” towards Nuno—a first for the Portuguese coach since his appointment in September 2025. He was booed when approaching the away section following the final whistle, although the players remaining on the pitch received applause.
Nuno responded to the reaction with measured remarks, emphasizing his respect for the supporters and underscoring his commitment to the club’s long-term vision. “The fans are the most important part of our club,” he said. “I understand their frustration. I just ask them to keep believing and trusting us. A win must come soon, hopefully on Tuesday at the London Stadium. We need it.” He acknowledged the pressure inherent in managing a club of West Ham’s stature and reiterated his confidence in his players and the ongoing rebuilding process.
Watford manager Alessio Dionisi, overseeing only his fifth competitive match in England, expressed cautious optimism despite his side’s dropped points. He noted the difficulties faced during the recent transfer window but praised his team’s progress. “One month ago, the outlook was tough after our first three games,” Dionisi said. “Now, with five points, it feels better. I believe in my team and hope new players will arrive soon. It’s challenging to compete with just two centre-backs in every match.”
Watford remain unbeaten in the league but their defensive vulnerabilities were exposed as the match slipped away due to costly errors. West Ham, meanwhile, head into their next fixture still searching for their first league victory of the season after amassing just two points from three games.