Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Mon 20 April 2026 22:30, UK

Nuno Espirito Santo was reluctant to make changes as West Ham United drew 0-0 against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Monday.

It wasn’t until the 75th minute that the Portuguese manager made his first substitution of the game, bringing Callum Wilson on for Pablo.

Danny Murphy couldn’t believe Nuno didn’t do something sooner, as it was clear the Brazilian attacker was struggling to get going.

The ex-Liverpool midfielder wondered at around the hour mark why the Hammers weren’t getting replacements on the pitch as they lost momentum at Selhurst Park on 20 April.

Nuno was unable to get the better of Oliver Glasner in South London, certainly leaving the travelling supporters disappointed with their team’s performance.

Nuno Espiritio Santo has no one to blame after West Ham draw vs Crystal Palace

With the Hammers arguably the better side going into the break, it was surprising to see them lose initiative in the second half.

Nuno surely has no one but himself to blame as the Irons dropped crucial points at Selhurst Park, leaving them two points ahead of 18th-place Tottenham Hotspur.

The warning signs were there after the break for the East London club as Ismaila Sarr saw his goal ruled out after a Jean-Philippe Mateta handled the ball in the build-up to it.

Instead of being proactive, the Portuguese manager was stubborn despite his team being evidently dominated, with Mohamadou Kante the Hammers’ second substitute of the game, replacing Taty Castellanos in the 84th minute.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Murphy said, “Still doesn’t look like any movement on that West Ham bench, which absolutely gobsmacks me because the momentum is gone for West Ham. It looks like they’re waiting to get beaten. They’re not really contributing.”

Premier League prospects look bleak at London Stadium

Palace was undoubtedly one of the easier fixtures for West Ham in the final stretch of the season.

The Hammers still face Everton, Brentford, Arsenal, Newcastle United and Leeds United in the Premier League, all of whom may have something to play for in the table.

Glasner’s team aren’t worried about relegation or realistically thinking about qualifying for Europe.

Three points would have gone a long way for the Irons at Selhurst Park, but Nuno and the players failed to show the ferocity needed in such situations.