Nuno Espirito Santo is breathing a little easier after Taty Castellanos's extra-time goal secured West Ham United's 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup. The Argentine striker, a recent £26 million signing from Lazio, headed home Crysencio Summerville's cross, preventing an upset against the Championship side and offering a much-needed boost to the team's morale.

Santo acknowledged the significance of the goal, stating, "I think goals breed confidence". He highlighted that Castellanos's strike could be a turning point, not only for the player himself but for the entire team. With West Ham facing a desperate battle to avoid Premier League relegation, Santo hopes this goal will mark the beginning of Castellanos finding the net consistently in the league.

The West Ham manager believes that this victory and Castellanos's goal will positively impact the team's mindset and recovery during the week. Santo hopes that instead of merely "recovering and bouncing back," the team can now make "a step, an improvement," leading to a better atmosphere and enhanced performance. He was particularly pleased with the team's fighting spirit, desire, and character, emphasizing the importance of the win given their current situation.

Castellanos joined West Ham from Lazio for close to €30 million earlier in January 2026. He has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the Hammers.

Before joining West Ham, Castellanos had a decent run since transferring to Italy in 2023. His best campaign came in the 2024/25 season, where he made 13 goal contributions in 29 appearances. This season, before the transfer, he had recorded five goal contributions in 11 appearances.

Summerville also had a good game, scoring his first goal of the season, set up by Soungoutou Magassa, and providing the assist for Castellanos's winner.

However, the victory was somewhat overshadowed by an injury to defender Konstaninos Mavropanos, who was stretchered off after an awkward landing. Santo expressed concern, stating that Mavropanos's neck was "very sore" and that he was in pain, with the club needing to assess him over the next few days.

Despite QPR's Richard Kone leveling the score after Summerville's opener, West Ham ultimately secured the win, much to the relief of Santo and the home fans. While QPR's manager, Julien Stephan, was proud of his team's efforts, West Ham avoided adding to their league-worst FA Cup third-round record.

Nuno Espírito Santo's tactical approach is known for blending defensive resilience with quick transitions and calculated offensive strategies. His teams often employ compact formations and disciplined structures, focusing on winning the ball back in advantageous areas to launch swift counterattacks. The manager emphasizes vertical passes and exploiting spaces left by the opposition, making West Ham dangerous on the break.

With a crucial Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur looming next weekend, Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping that Castellanos's goal can indeed spark a turnaround in West Ham's fortunes and boost their chances of survival.