West Hamâs relief at snatching a point was accompanied by the realisation that this was a missed opportunity to push on in the battle to qualify for Europe.
Danny Ings scored his first goal of the season to deny Burnley a precious win but David Moyes will know that this was not good enough. West Ham, who trailed 2-0 at half-time, will need to be better when they look to overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against Freiburg on Thursday. A spirited recovery kept them seventh but they cannot regard a home draw with Burnley, who remain 10 points below Nottingham Forest in 17th place, as acceptable.
Those who remain adamant that Moyes should depart when his contract expires at the end of the season were given plenty of ammunition during a wretched first half. West Ham were flat, their legs drained by their exertions in Germany three days earlier, and they made no attempt to seize the initiative during the opening stages. It was far too easy for Burnley, who were wretched while losing at home to Bournemouth last weekend, to get a feel for the ball, grow in confidence and push their hosts back before going ahead through David Fofanaâs third goal since joining from Chelsea on loan in January.
West Ham could hardly argue it was against the run of play when Fofana sent a brilliant rising effort beyond Alphonse Areola after squeezing past weak challenges from Kalvin Phillips and Nayef Aguerd. They sat off Burnley, who did not take long to find gaps on the right flank, and it was hard to think of anybody in claret and blue who looked comfortable on the ball.
Nobody emerged with any credit. Aguerd, filling in for the rested Kurt Zouma in central defence, was far too casual. Konstantinos Mavropanos, who ended the opening period by handing Burnley a second when he turned Josh Cullenâs harmless cross beyond Areola, struggled to complete simple tasks. James Ward-Prowse offered little drive at the tip of West Hamâs three-man midfield. Jarrod Bowen, who was isolated up front, kept drifting offside.
Then there was Phillips and his quest to shake off the rust that accumulated during his long spell on Manchester Cityâs bench. Brought in for Edson Ălvarez, the midfielder looked utterly bereft of confidence and fitness on his third start since arriving on loan. His passing was poor, he offered no drive and it was not a surprise that Moyes took him off at half-time. Gareth Southgate, who was at the London Stadium to watch Burnleyâs midfielders give Phillips the runaround, has a big decision to make before naming his squad for Englandâs friendlies against Brazil and Belgium this month.
Southgate will surely have noted that West Ham improved after bringing Ălvarez on for Phillips. The plodding Ward-Prowse also made way, Michail Antonio coming on to provide a focal point in attack, and Burnley were pegged back at the start of the second half. PaquetĂĄ, more menacing after moving inside, was calmness personified when he strolled through on goal and slid a low finish past James Trafford.
It seemed inconceivable that Burnley, whose time-wasting antics infuriated the home fans, would hold out. They immediately chased a third, the lively Fofana shooting straight at Areola and Jacob Bruun Larsenâs effort fizzing wide, but the pressure at the other end was growing. PaquetĂĄ had two chances and a deflection took Vladimir Coufalâs cross on to the bar. Bowen found Mohammed Kudus, who shot over after wriggling past Lorenz Assignon.
West Ham grew frantic. Moyes threw on Ings and it seemed the striker had rescued a point against his old side when he poked past Trafford from close range, only for the goal to be ruled out when Antonio was ruled offside after a lengthy VAR check.
The game went into eight minutes of stoppage time, Burnley desperately trying to hold out. West Ham kept going and were rewarded for their persistence when Kudus pulled a cross back from the left. Ings, still dangerous in the area, controlled on his chest, swivelled and fired a shot into the far corner.
Both sides had time for a winner. Sander Berge, who survived a shout for handball in the final minute, and Josh Brownhill went close for Burnley. Antonioâs shot dribbled wide. Ings, having the time of his life, blasted against the bar from 18 yards. He was soon racing back to deny Burnley a shooting opportunity. But the point did little for either side.