Fulham 0 – 1 West Ham United. Harrison Reed’s own goal was enough to gift West Ham a vital away win in the Premier League against Fulham.
Jarrod Bowen picked up a loose ball in the area, skipped past his man and crossed from the byeline where the unfortunate Reed turned it into his own net.
Andreas Pereira was denied late on by Lukasz Fabianski as he tried to round the keeper in search of a Fulham equaliser.
West Ham’s resolute defending saw them them record just their second away win of the season to move up to 13th, three points clear of the relegation zone.
Substitute Maxwel Cornet could have sealed the win in added time, pressuring Tim Ream into losing the ball but then taking on the shot instead of passing to Said Benrahma, who was in acres of space waiting to apply the finish.
After being thrashed 5-1 by Newcastle in midweek, West Ham got back to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over London rivals Fulham.
Bowen’s industry was right at the heart of the victory, his determination to reach a loose ball in the box before the home defence leading to the only goal of the game.
Midway through the second half he was causing problems again, threading a ball through for Danny Ings before the forward’s shot was smothered by onrushing keeper Bernd Leno.
David Moyes was clearly expecting a reaction from his side and made five changes after their dismal defending against Newcastle – the most Premier League changes he’s made this season.
Kurt Zouma was the only member of the backline who remained from the midweek game and he was instrumental in ending a run of 11 games without a clean sheet.
The centre-back had a chance to score his second goal in as many games only to head wide, but in the end West Ham only needed one goal and the three points relieves pressure in their relegation battle, and on manager Moyes.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Marco Silva’s side, who have now lost four consecutive league matches and sit 10th in the table.
Aleksander Mitrovic’s absence, dbecause of an eight-game suspension, was keenly felt with Antonee Robinson and Cedric Soares among the players swinging crosses into the box without their top scorer to get on the end of them.
Fulham attempted 634 passes – their highest total in a single match in the Premier League this season – but did not particularly trouble Fabianski’s goal.
Robinson had Fulham’s best chance of the first half, with a shot outside the box which rose just over the bar.
Pereira shot straight at the away keeper while substitute Tom Cairney headed over as Fulham looked to apply pressure in the closing stages.
It was a familiar problem for Fulham, who have failed to win in their last seven league matches when conceding the first goal, and didn’t look like doing so with their manager watching on from the stands for the first game of his two-match touchline ban.
Fulham travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League next Saturday, while West Ham host Arsenal the following day.
source – BBC
