Fabianski Penalty Save Secures West Ham Win

Tomas Soucek and Lukasz Fabianski were the heroes with a late goal and penalty save to give West Ham a big win over Fulham.

West Ham went into the match, hoping to return to winning ways. The Hammers had not won in three Premier League games and suffered defeat in their last match against Liverpool. David Moyes’ side had drawn their two previous games against Tottenham and Manchester City.

Scott Parker‘s team came into the match off the back of their first win of the season against West Brom. The Cottagers started the match against the Hammers in 16th position, only one point above the relegation zone.

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Manager of the Month nominee, Moyes, named an unchanged side from the one that lost away at Anfield last week. Aaron Cresswell was fit enough to start after straining his groin against Liverpool. Mark Noble and Michail Antonio were still absent due to injuries, but are expected to fit for the Hammers next match.

MATCH REPORT: First-Half

The first chance of the game fell to West Ham. Pablo Fornals made good progress down the right-wing. The Spaniards low-cross evaded everyone and reached birthday boy, Arthur Masuaku. The wing-back’s shot was well saved. The ball cannoned off Alphonse Areola‘s gloves to Cresswell. The defender volleyed goalwards and forced another good save.

The Hammers went close again only a minute later. The ball was cleared from a corner, and Jarrod Bowen hit it the ball first time. The volley took a deflection and was well saved by Areola. From the corner, it was Sebastien Haller‘s turn to go close. The Frenchman smashed the crossbar from Cresswell’s delivery.

After surviving the early pressure from the Hammers, Fulham started to grow into the game. The Cottagers were mainly playing on the break and did look dangerous in the attack. Despite their good pressure, they weren’t able to create any meaningful chances on goal.

By the half-hour mark, the match evolved into an end-to-end battle with neither team dominating the majority of the play. Both teams had chances to take the lead, Aleksandar Mitrović and Bowen both connected poorly with headers.

West Ham started to reclaim the ascendency heading into the closing stages of the first half. The Hammers were playing some nice passing football but failed to make the killer final ball to cut Fulham open.

Second-Half

The Hammers had the first opportunity of the second half. Tomas Soucek won a free-kick in a great position, 20-yards from goal. Declan Rice and Cresswell were both stood over the ball, weighing up their options. It was Cresswell to hit it, and the 30-year-old near-perfect shot smashed the crossbar.

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The Hammers were in full control and went close again. Bowen hit another volley from a distance, this time the shot was deflected away from Areola and just past the post. Fulham were riding their luck, whereas David Moyes might have been thinking it could be ‘one of those games’.

The match started to even out again and get a bit feisty as derby game should. There were some tough tackles from both sides, Angelo Ogbonna and Mitrović went into the book for their tackles.

In the 60th minute, Moyes was forced into his first substitute of the match. Ogbonna went down off the ball and was replaced by Issa Diop. The Frenchman was making his first appearance since he tested positive for COVID-19.

Ten minutes later Moyes made his second and third changes of the match. Said Benrahma replaced Fornals for his second appearance and home debut since joining from Brentford whereas Manuel Lanzini replaced Bowen.

The Hammers started to dominate possession as it seemed like Fulham were happy to take a point back across London. Moyes’ side was stuck passing side to side and were making very little progress drown the wings.

Heading into the last seven minutes, Scott Parker made his first change of the game. Chelsea loanee Ruben Loftus-Cheek replaced Bobby Decordova-Reid.

West Ham continued to press in the closing minutes, Benrahma forged himself a great opportunity to open his account for the Hammers. The Algerian had two shots saved by Areola after making good progress down the left-wing.

As four minutes were announced, the Hammers musted up another attack. Fabian Balbuena played a long ball into the box. Fulham poorly cleared the crossed ball to Benrahma. The Algerian squared the ball to Soucek who placed his shot past the Fulham goalkeeper to put give West Ham a late lead.

The Cottagers threw everything search of a late equaliser. Their attack caused mayhem inside the Hammers box. Benrahma caught Tom Cairney inside the box and forced a VAR decision. The penalty was given after a lengthy review. Ademola Lookman stepped up and tried to dink Lukasz Fabianski.

The trick did not work, and the Polish goalkeeper simply caught the ball. The final whistle blew straight afterwards, and West Ham returned to winning ways.

Fulham had lost their previous twelve London derbies saw that run continue to thirteen at the London Stadium. With the win it sees West Ham move up to eleventh in the Premier League table.