Goals from Soler, Soucek and Paqueta earn Hammers 3-2 win at London Stadium
West Ham United celebrated their first Premier League win under new manager Graham Potter, defeating Fulham 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at the London Stadium. The Hammers maintained their dominance over Fulham on home soil, extending their record to just one defeat in their last 13 meetings at home against the Cottagers.
A Battle of Momentum
Fulham entered the game as one of the Premier League’s most formidable away teams, having been defeated on the road only by Manchester City and Manchester United this season. Their confidence was evident from the start, with Marco Silva’s men dominating possession and testing West Ham’s defense early on.
In just the sixth minute, Alex Iwobi delivered a perfect ball for Harry Wilson, whose volley thundered against the crossbar, narrowly missing an early lead. Despite this promising start, Fulham found it increasingly difficult to penetrate West Ham’s organized defensive lines.
Soler and Soucek Turn the Tide
The breakthrough moment arrived in the 27th minute after a period of resolute defending from the Hammers. A Carlos Soler free-kick led to Max Kilman heading the ball into the net, but the goal was ruled offside, much to Fulham’s frustration. However, West Ham capitalized on a Fulham error shortly after to seize control.
Andreas Pereira’s misplaced square pass deep in Fulham’s half was intercepted by Soler, who calmly slotted the ball past a scrambling Bernd Leno to make it 1-0. The London Stadium erupted with joy as West Ham broke the deadlock.
Just two minutes later, a clinical counter-attack doubled West Ham’s advantage. Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivered a pinpoint cross to Tomas Soucek, who made no mistake in converting from close range. Fulham, reeling from conceding two quick goals, found themselves unable to recover their composure before halftime.
Fulham’s Fightback Falls Short
Determined not to surrender, Fulham emerged in the second half with renewed vigor. They were rewarded for their efforts in the 51st minute when Alex Iwobi’s cross bypassed everyone in the box, curling straight into the net to halve the deficit. The goal reignited hope for a comeback among Fulham’s traveling fans.
However, West Ham responded swiftly to dampen Fulham’s momentum. Substitute Danny Ings immediately made an impact, pressing Leno into a costly mistake. Lucas Paqueta capitalized on the error, firing into an open goal to restore West Ham’s two-goal cushion. It marked Paqueta’s fifth goal of the season and underlined his growing importance to the team.
“When you do mistakes like we do it’s difficult to win the match”
Marco Silva talks through his thoughts after his sides loss at the London Stadium ️
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Despite this setback, Fulham refused to back down. In the 72nd minute, Iwobi delivered another teasing cross into the box. Though Wilson failed to connect, the ball once again found its way past Lukasz Fabianski, bringing Fulham within a goal of their hosts.
Defensive Resilience Seals the Win
With the scoreline poised at 3-2, Fulham pushed for an equalizer. Their best opportunity came when Adama Traore found himself unmarked in the box but blazed his shot wide of the target. The miss proved costly as West Ham’s defense held firm under increasing pressure.
The victory marked the end of Fulham’s impressive nine-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. It was also their first defeat in an away London derby in nearly a year, leaving them four points clear of the Hammers in the league standings but struggling to keep pace in the race for European football.
Graham Potter’s Impact
The win provided a much-needed boost for West Ham and new manager Graham Potter, who praised his team’s resilience and ability to capitalize on key moments. “It’s a fantastic result and a testament to the players’ determination,” Potter said post-match. “We showed grit and quality in critical phases of the game, and that’s something we can build on.”
Potter’s tactical adjustments, including bringing on Danny Ings in the second half, played a pivotal role in securing the win. The former Chelsea manager will look to use this performance as a stepping stone to reinvigorate West Ham’s campaign.
Fulham’s Perspective
For Fulham, the loss was a stark reminder of the fine margins in the Premier League. Marco Silva expressed his frustration with the defensive lapses that led to West Ham’s goals. “We made too many mistakes, and at this level, you get punished,” Silva admitted. “We created enough chances to get something from the game, but our errors made the difference.”
Despite the defeat, Fulham can take solace in their overall strong performance this season. With a solid squad and Silva’s leadership, they remain a formidable force in the league.
The Road Ahead
West Ham’s victory lifts them closer to mid-table safety, providing much-needed confidence ahead of their next fixtures. Meanwhile, Fulham will need to regroup quickly to maintain their European ambitions.
This thrilling encounter at the London Stadium showcased the intensity and unpredictability of Premier League football, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what’s to come in the season ahead.
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