West Ham United edged past Fulham in a thrilling 3-2 encounter at the London Stadium, marking Graham Potter’s first Premier League victory as manager. Despite Fulham’s dominance in possession and chances, defensive errors proved costly as the Hammers capitalized to secure all three points.
Match Overview
- Date: Premier League Fixture
- Final Score: West Ham United 3-2 Fulham
- Goal Scorers:
- West Ham: Carlos Soler (21′), Tomas Soucek (38′), Lucas Paqueta (64′)
- Fulham: Alex Iwobi (52′, 78′)
First-Half Highlights
West Ham overcame a shaky start to dominate the first half:
- Opening Goal:
Carlos Soler capitalized on Andreas Pereira’s defensive mistake, slotting the ball past Bernd Leno to give the Hammers a 1-0 lead. - Doubling the Advantage:
Tomas Soucek added a second before halftime, finishing clinically after a well-worked team move.
Second-Half Drama
Fulham fought back strongly in the second half:
- Iwobi’s Brace:
Alex Iwobi’s unconventional crossing effort drifted into the net to halve the deficit at 2-1. Later, his persistence brought Fulham back into the game with a second goal in the 78th minute. - Costly Error for Fulham:
West Ham restored their two-goal cushion after Danny Ings dispossessed Bernd Leno, setting up Lucas Paqueta for a straightforward finish.
Data Insights: Fulham’s Missed Opportunities
- xG Analysis:
Fulham won the expected goals (xG) battle 1.7 to 1.12, indicating they created more scoring opportunities. - Shot Statistics:
The visitors registered 21 shots compared to just four for West Ham, highlighting their attacking dominance despite the loss. - Defensive Issues:
Fulham’s defensive lapses have become a recurring issue, conceding at least two goals in each of their last three league matches.
Manager Reactions
- Graham Potter (West Ham):
Potter expressed satisfaction with his team’s resilience and ability to capitalize on Fulham’s mistakes, praising their hard work in securing the win. - Marco Silva (Fulham):
Silva voiced frustration over defensive errors, emphasizing the need to tighten up at the back to stay competitive for European positions.
Premier League Table Update
- West Ham:
- The victory moves them up to 12th, just four points behind ninth-placed Fulham.
- Fulham:
- Fulham’s European hopes continue to fade, having managed only two wins in their last ten league games.
Key Takeaways
- Potter’s Positive Start:
The victory offers a morale boost for West Ham under new leadership. - Fulham’s Defensive Concerns:
Continued defensive errors threaten their aspirations for a higher league finish. - Iwobi’s Impact:
Despite Fulham’s loss, Iwobi’s two goals highlighted his growing influence on the team’s attacking play.
FAQs
- Who scored for West Ham?
Carlos Soler, Tomas Soucek, and Lucas Paqueta were the goal scorers. - How did Alex Iwobi perform?
Iwobi scored twice, helping Fulham stay competitive throughout the match. - What was Graham Potter’s impact on West Ham’s performance?
Potter’s management brought a fresh tactical approach that helped West Ham capitalize on Fulham’s mistakes. - How did Fulham dominate but still lose?
Despite winning the xG and shots battle, defensive errors and failure to convert key chances cost Fulham the game. - What’s next for West Ham and Fulham?
West Ham will look to build momentum under Potter, while Fulham needs defensive improvements to stay in the European race.
