Hammers Edge Out Fulham

Although West Ham United have already picked up two Premier League wins this season, David Moyes wasn’t in charge for either of them. In Saturday’s late kick-off, he was able to celebrate his first victory since July as his side secured a dramatic 1-0 home victory over newly-promoted Fulham.

The Hammers named the same team that were unfortunate to lose at Liverpool last weekend.

Moyes saw his men dominate the early stages as they had a number of good opportunities to go ahead. Arthur Masuaku saw his shot blocked on the goal-line by Ola Aina after Pablo Fornals had created space to get into a good position, before an effort from Aaron Cresswell produced a good save from visiting goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

The pressure kept coming from the home side, as Jarrod Bowen was next to test Areola but he was once again up to the task and tipped it away for a corner.

Sébastien Haller met the set piece and although Areola was beaten this time, the Frenchman’s header hit the bar on its way over.

Fulham were keen to build on their first win of the season against fellow promoted side West Bromwich Albion on Monday night and after surviving that early storm, they gradually began to get a foothold in proceedings and as he often is, Aleksandar Mitrović was soon on the scene. Thankfully though, he headed wide, following a cross from Captain Tom Cairney.

When referee Robert Jones blew the whistle for the break, it was hard to see how an entertaining first-half had ended with the deadlock still to be broken.

The second forty five started in similar fashion to the first with the Irons well on top. They had the chance to grab an early advantage but Creswell’s 20-yard free-kick had Areola beaten once more however, the crossbar came to Fulham’s rescue again.

Moyes was forced into a first change just after the hour mark, as Angelo Ogbonna had picked up an injury and was replaced by Issa Diop.

Scott Parker’s side won a dangerous looking free-kick but fortunately for the hosts, Łukasz Fabiański wasn’t tested as Ademola Lookman fired his effort straight at the Pole.

On seventy two minutes, in an effort to increase his sides creativity, Moyes then took off Fornals and Bowen in order to bring both Manuel Lanzini and Saïd Benrahma into the action.

The Algerian certainly made an impression as he was involved straight away. He had the chance to clinch all three points for his new club in the final minute but he shot from a tight angle and Areola easily saved.

Having picked up some notable results in recent weeks, the Hammers were keen to head into November’s international break on a high note and that is exactly what happened, as four minutes of stoppage time were signalled. A minute into the allotted period, the hosts made the breakthrough. Tomáš Souček finally steered the ball past Areola to break Fulham’s resistance.

Up the other end, just when West Ham thought they were on the way to a vital three points, Benrahma fouled Cairney. Initially referee Jones gave nothing but after being advised by the VAR officials to have a look at the pitchside monitor, he overturned his decision and awarded the visitors a penalty. Thankfully Lookman made a hash of converting the spot-kick which meant the East Londoners claimed the points.

They will now hope to build on this result as they face a trip to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United on November 22.