West Ham 5-3 Burnley match report: The Sunday Mirror verdict

Your side’s leading 5-0 with 26 minutes left. The opposition pull back two goals and you are suddenly pacing frantically around in the dugout.

This bizarre cameo could only take place at one British football ground – Upton Park.

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola panicked after battling Burnley threatened to stage a most extraordinary comeback. And the Hammers have, in the past three weeks, twice blown two-goal leads.

But this was a great advert for the thrills and spills of the Premier League, with swift attacking play and the emphasis on entertainment.

“We switched off too early,” said Zola. “We are very fragile at the back. What a game, but not very good for my heart.”

Although Jack Collison may not reach the dizzy heights of England stars such as Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard, another impressive display from West Ham’s latest rising star confirmed his position at the forefront of an exciting crop of talent beginning to blossom under Zola.

But Burnley should have scored first. Herita Ilunga blocked Andre Bikey’s shot and Scott Parker cleared Robbie Blake’s header off the line.

And Parker’s quick-thinking created Collison’s opener, when an immediately taken free-kick put the Welsh midfielder through to slot home.

Junior Stanislas  doubled the lead. His first effort was blocked by keeper Brian Jensen, but  followed up to score via a post.

Then Carlton Cole scored from the spot after Blake brought down Jonathan Spector. After the interval, Guillermo Franco headed home a Stanislas free-kick to make it four.

Jensen’s misery was complete when he brought down substitute Luis Jimenez to concede another penalty  – and the loanee made no mistake.

Yet West Ham, despite leading 5-0, gave their fans a fright.

Burnley scored two tap-ins courtesy of Steven Fletcher, both set up by Chris Eagles. And then Eagles’ brilliant free-kick was diverted around the post by keeper Robert Green.

The visitors, who last won at the Boleyn Ground 36 years ago, sensed a comeback despite Steven Caldwell being sent off for a professional foul on sub Zavon Hines on 90 minutes.

Burnley battled away and Eagles notched a third goal after being set up by Fletcher.

“Another five minutes and we would have done it,” argued Burnley boss Owen Coyle.