Taty Castellanos's first goal for West Ham United secured a 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup third round, offering a much-needed respite for under-pressure manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The Argentine striker, signed for £26 million from Lazio last week, headed home the winner in extra time to prevent an embarrassing FA Cup exit for the Hammers.

West Ham, enduring a dismal Premier League season with ten matches without a win, were desperate for a change in fortune. The FA Cup tie against QPR, a Championship side, presented an opportunity to regain some confidence, though QPR's poor FA Cup record suggested an upset was unlikely.

The game began with a lengthy stoppage due to a head injury to West Ham's Dinos Mavropanos. After nine minutes of added time in the first half, Crysencio Summerville broke the deadlock, finishing off a swift move involving Pablo and Soungoutou Magassa. Summerville tucked the ball past QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh to give West Ham the lead.

QPR responded in the second half when Richard Kone headed in a cross from Karamoko Dembélé, leveling the score. Despite West Ham's pressure, QPR held on to force the game into extra time.

In extra time, Summerville created the decisive moment, turning away from Jimmy Dunne on the left and delivering a precise cross for Castellanos, who powered a header past Walsh to secure the win.

Castellanos's goal, his first for the club, ended West Ham's ten-game winless run and sent them into the FA Cup fourth round. The victory provides a welcome boost for Nuno Espirito Santo, whose job security has been questioned due to the team's poor league form. With West Ham struggling in the Premier League, the FA Cup now presents a potential avenue for silverware and a chance to salvage something from a difficult season.

The win could ease some of the pressure on Espirito Santo. West Ham fans will hope that this victory marks a turning point, with the team carrying this momentum into their upcoming Premier League fixtures.