Goal for Manor Solomon in West Ham debut - team drops two valuable points against Burnley
The Israeli winger found the net in his very first game for the Hammers in the Championship, but his team squandered a 2-0 lead against the other relegated Premier League side, ending in a disappointing 2-2 draw. Daniel Peretz could not save Southampton, which opened the season with a 2-1 loss to Watford.
A debut goal for Manor Solomon in a West Ham shirt: The Israeli winger scored his first goal for the team in the 72nd minute of the away match against Burnley in the first round of the Championship, but had to settle for a disappointing 2-2 draw at the end following a dramatic comeback by the hosts. The first goal of the match was scored by Max Kilman for West Ham, heading in a corner kick from Jarrod Bowen. In the 72nd minute, the Israeli winger had his moment, but it was not enough. The one who stole the show was Zian Flemming (83), who narrowed the gap for the hosts from the penalty spot and completed a personal brace with a dramatic equalizer deep into stoppage time (90+2). Before the equalizer, Solomon was substituted in the 89th minute.
Solomon completed his move to West Ham last week and started today in the opening lineup. West Ham, which was relegated from the Premier League last season, wants to start its journey back to the Premier League on the right foot, with Solomon expected to be one of the prominent players in this campaign, after leading Leeds about a year ago in a similar comeback to the top flight.
Disappointment for Peretz and Southampton
Earlier today, Sunday, Daniel Peretz and Southampton opened the 2026/27 season in the English second division under the shadow of last season's grim finish, with a 2-1 loss to Watford. The Israeli was among the 11 starters for the visitors, who began the season with a minus 4-point deduction, a reminder of the espionage scandal debacle at the end of last season, while still being considered one of the leading candidates for promotion to the Premier League.
The Hornets stung with an early goal by Iker Bravo (12), which gave the hosts a surprising lead. In the 20th minute, the Turk Osman Mama could have doubled the lead after another defensive blunder by the Saints, but this time Peretz was there to close the near corner. However, in the 29th minute, even the Israeli goalkeeper could not save the day when Amin Nabizada ran freely down the right flank, entered the box without interference, and shot low into the far corner to make it 2-0. In the 56th minute, Cyle Larin scored his first goal of the season for the Saints, but it was not enough to do more than narrow the score.
"We will learn from this and see what we can do better in the future," Peretz said at the end. "There are also some bright spots. It's part of football and everyone makes mistakes. There are 45 more games to play - that's more than enough. Looking ahead to the next game."
