West Ham United vs Shrewsbury Town. The FA Cup Third Round.
London StadiumAttendance39,867.
Tuesday 16 January 2018 22:48, UK
West Ham laboured into the fourth round of the FA Cup as they needed extra-time to beat League One Shrewsbury 1-0 at the London Stadium on Tuesday.
With a number of first-team regulars rested from the start, the Hammers produced a lacklustre display and were fortunate not to fall behind in the 64th minute when Stefan Payne was denied by Joe Hart.
Substitute Marko Arnautovic went close and Aristote Nsiala and James Bolton both cleared off the line in extra-time before Reece Burke eventually broke Shrewsbury's resistance in the 112th minute to set up a fourth-round tie against Bournemouth or Wigan, who meet in a replay on Wednesday.
Hammers goalkeeper Joe Hart had described his side's performance as "terrible" after the 0-0 draw at Shrewsbury just over a week ago, and they again struggled to impose themselves at the London Stadium.
A much-changed defence looked vulnerable at times and the only bright spot up front in the first half was Manuel Lanzini, who saw a powerful 35-yard free-kick palmed away.
Shrewsbury rarely threatened themselves before the break, but could have taken the lead in the second half as Payne saw a one-on-one chance saved by Hart.
Shaun Whalley then fired over from inside the box for the visitors.
Arnautovic twice went close after his introduction but failed to hit the target on either occasion, and Nsiala almost won it for the Shrews when he headed over from a corner in injury-time.
Nsiala and Bolton both then cleared off the line in extra-time as Shrewsbury were finally forced on to the back foot.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 112th minute when a corner was hooked back into the box and Burke smashed in off the underside of the bar.
Shrewsbury produced an excellent all-round defensive display to keep West Ham at bay until late in extra-time, but Nsiala takes the man-of-the-match honours after clearing off the line in extra-time.
West Ham host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday while Shrewsbury entertain Doncaster Rovers in League One.
