West Ham 0 Fulham 2
The Hammers welcomed Fulham for a London derby, with European places up for grabs. After a disappointing game against Leverkusen in the week, conceding late goals, they were looking to get back to winning ways. Marco Silva was hoping for more consistency from his side.
West Ham had the first real chance of the game when Coufal plucked a cross out of the air to beat Robinson to it. With only the keeper to beat, he saw his shot blocked by Leno. The ball came out to Antonio, seven yards out with the keeper on the floor, but he blasted his shot over the bar.
Fulham came forward with their first attack of the game. Iwobi crossed the ball and Mavropanos controlled it into the path of Pereira. He took it around Fabianski and drilled his shot into the roof of the net to give The Cottagers the lead.
The London Stadium fell silent. It was some woeful defending by West Ham’s Greek defender and they were paying the ultimate price for that Antonio miss. The visitors were brimming with confidence after scoring with their first shot of the game.
Credit: @premierleague
Willian got down the left and put an inviting cross into the box. Pereira slid in and met the ball on the half-volley with the stadium expecting to see the net bulge. Somehow, the former Man Utd midfielder sent his effort wide of the goal.
Marco Silva’s side continued to turn the screw. Willian was proving more dangerous and only a block by The Hammers’ keeper could deny them. As the corner came in, it was met by the head of Muniz but was straight at Fabianski, who gathered at the second attempt.
Lukic then played the ball into the path of Iwobi, whose first-time shot narrowly missed the far post. The Cottagers had created enough chances in the first half to put this game to bed. Silva was no doubt concerned that they would pay the price for not taking them.
As the second half started, Fulham continued to press. Muniz got to a cross, with his back to goal, and tried an audacious backheel towards goal. Fortunately for David Moyes’ side, Fabianski watched it all the way into his hands.
Iwobi was the next player to ask questions of the West Ham keeper. He drilled a shot into the bottom corner but The Hammers’ keeper got down to make a superb save to tip the ball around the post at the expense of a corner.
West Ham started to come out of their shell and get forward more. As they forced a corner, the cross was met at the back post by Paqueta but his header was blocked on the line. Fulham got numbers behind the ball and managed to frustrate the hosts.
Credit: @premierleague
Silva’s side then mounted a counter-attack which saw Iwobi pick out Periera in the box to sweep home and double the visitors’ lead. It was no more than Fulham had deserved with their impressive display in this London derby.
Youngster George Earthy was then clattered by Edson Alvarez and seemingly knocked out. He was stretchered off the pitch with fans of both teams concerned for the well-being of the player after a lengthy stoppage to the game as he received the necessary treatment.
Aside from this incident, Fulham held on for a big three points on the road. When they play like this, you wonder why Marco Silva’s team are not higher in the table. The problem for them is putting in these shifts consistently. Nevertheless, they had showed West Ham their potential in this game.
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