Dour West Ham scramble home thank heavens

Match verdict by Hughie Southon

West Ham have played a lot better than today and lost but who cares? This was their first double of the season!

After Harrison Reed had scored an own goal midway through the first half they clung on to stagger over the line at Craven Cottage and ensure in the end that David Moyes’ 650th match as a manager ended in an incredibly important victory haveing had the lowest possession of any Premier hip team this season – 25 per cent.

And in fairness to the Hammers boss he got most things right this afternoon and succumbed to the calls to play two up by teaming Ings and Antonio in a 4-4-2 formation.

To be frank, it didn’t work because the problem with that approach is that it leaves us a man short in midfield and Fulham dominated possession as a result.

It didn’t take him long to adjust into the second half when bringing off Ings along with Fornals and throwing on Benny and Flynn Downes,

Without top scorer Mitrovic and despite the possession Fulham created few chances and with Zouma splendid at central defence and the recalled Cresswell bring something special down the left the Hammers managed to take their points tally to 30 and move into 13th place.

It was a dour affair but we can all forget pretty football after a game that needed winning given that it’s Arsenal at home and Bournemouth away next.

Downes look very effective and is now surely worth a starting place and Decklab as ever never gave anything up and was very good indeed.

In the meantime COME ON YOU IRONS