By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Make no mistake about it, Fulham were the better team and deserved to win. But West Ham did not disgrace themselves in this 3-2 defeat. Far from it.
The Hammers went behind twice and came back twice, then almost did it for a third time when Taty Castellanos somehow failed to convert Jarrod Bowen’s wonderful late delivery. Ultimately, this was a game won from the substitutes’ bench.
I’d said beforehand that Nuno Espírito Santo had virtually nothing to lose against Fulham, and I don’t think this defeat changes that. West Ham gave Premier League opposition a proper game and our real objective this season remains completely unaffected.
Fulham eventually flex their muscles
I’d always felt in the build-up that Nuno would want to keep West Ham in the game until the point where he could bring on his substitutes.
That’s pretty much what happened.
Despite Fulham having most of the possession and threat in the first half, West Ham went into the break at 2-2 thanks to goals from Morato and Pablo.
Nuno then introduced Bowen and Manor Solomon, and suddenly the game felt much more even.
Unfortunately, Fulham boss Álvaro Arbeloa was able to flex his muscles from his own substitutes’ bench, and that was ultimately where the difference became apparent.
By the time the game drew towards a close, there was a definite gulf in speed and technique. Fulham might have struggled in the Premier League this season, but their forward players had more than enough pace and movement to cause the Hammers back line problems.
Oscar Bobb’s 77th-minute goal eventually proved decisive.
Interestingly, it was almost the exact opposite of what happened when West Ham’s superior squad eventually made the difference at Bolton.
This time we were the team facing opponents with the greater quality waiting on the bench.
Pablo scores his first West Ham goal during the EFL Cup game against Fulham
West Ham kept coming back
But there was plenty to like about West Ham.
Every time we went behind, we tried to come back. Twice we managed it and we very nearly did it for a third time. Bowen definitely made an impact, as did Solomon, and West Ham kept taking the game to Fulham right until the end.
Castellanos really should have made it 3-3 from Bowen’s excellent delivery on 87 minutes. It was the sort of opportunity strikers usually gobble up.
Nuno had made significant changes to the team, just as he did when West Ham’s youngsters demolished Southampton 4-1 in the previous round. This time the Premier League quality eventually told, particularly from the substitutes’ bench.
But West Ham gave a decent account of ourselves, showed plenty of character and never gave up. After the 6-0 demolition of Wrexham sent confidence soaring, I don’t think this result will interrupt that momentum.
For a team whose only real objective this season is promotion, I don’t think this defeat causes us too much bother.
have a look at how many players have sold or released from there squad since summer 24 Vs how many we have brought in.
you’ll see why we have limited options.
That’s not to say most of them shouldn’t have gone…