A ‘half of two halves’ would be the best way to describe that first forty five minutes. West Ham starting nervous, slow, ponderous, all the customary Lopetegui attributes which we’ve fretted about since August: Piling the starting line up full of largely immobile midfielders was not a choice Potter would have wanted to make but one which was forced on him with six absentees. Speedsters Summerville, Antonio and Bowen amongst them, so, limited mobility left the crowd nervous and West Ham on the back foot in the early exchanges.
For the first twenty minutes Fulham could easily have scored: Two or three efforts hit the wood-work as West Ham looked very shaky. The crowd got behind them but after half an hour West Ham still didn’t penetrate as far as Fulham’s penalty box.
And then from nothing, a free-kick wide on the left which Carlos Soler took, the ball went into Fulham’s net, probably off an offside Soucek’s head. VAR confirmed disallowed. But, no matter, something subtle had changed: West Ham seemed to grow in belief and advanced, collectively, stepped about 20 yards further up the pitch, pressing at the front with Kudus battling away.
And it paid off-immediately with the high pressing from Alvarez, Soucek and Kudus suddenly producing a Fulham mistake: A loose ball played across their own penalty box for Carlos Soler to hit first time on the volley, back across the goal and into the right hand corner. Fabulous hit first-time, and West Ham were in the lead.
The belief coursed through the fans and the team. Less than three minutes later they’d doubled their lead, in just their second foray forward. Great Kudus tenacity, instead of firing aimlessly, Kudus -glory be- looked up and found Soler on the left – who then sent the ball wide to Wan Bissaka on the right, crossing for Soucek to volley home from eight yards. Neat passing, holding the ball, very ‘Potter’!
Fulham were suddenly on the back foot and looked a little shocked that all their possessions in the first half had led to nothing. West Ham would be hoping for a similar result in the second ’45.
Those hopes were dashed when Fulham got back into the game, a floated Iwobi pass evading everyone including Mavropanos and Fabianski and bouncing into the net. So soft. 60 minutes and Kudus was substituted for Ings – watching closely for any hissy fit from Kudus which was notably absent.
Straight away, Potter’s sub paid off with Ings closing down the ‘keeper and forcing the error for Paqueta to volley the ball into an empty net. 2 errors gifting West Ham two goals.
Hammers couldn’t hold the 3-1 lead as the clock wore on, another Iwobe lofted pass missing its target but bouncing past Fabianski again. This was the crucial moment when Potter bought on both Cresswell and Scarles to double up on Traore who’d come on: Several times the two made strong challenges- Scarles once off the line as West Ham hung on for a totally unexpected 3-2 win. Pressing, character, former lack-lustre players digging in and indeed “playing for the shirt”.
The Potter effect on display. Great to see.
West Ham were gifted victory from a Fulham side that were so lacadasical at the back to be almost asleep at times. Why this nonsense has come into the game of playing tip tap in and around your own box amazes me. There is nothing to be gained by it and 2 obvious reasons why it shouldn’t be done. Get the ball in the opponents half ! It’s not rocket science
Considering the line up the team did well to win against a very good fulham side in form
Also, if we repeat the rest of the season as we have up to now, we finish with 50 points. If Graham Potter can outdo Julen, then we’ll do even better.
Not so bad as it once seemed.
COYI
Potter’s only been in charge for 2 games, and already we’re seeing the attacking football we’ve lacked all season! We must have a more solid defence though to win more comfortably, and start faster from the beginning of games, that’s my only criticisms. But very encouraging signs so far!
Tommy was magnificent tonight, he’s proper West Ham .Love Bowen but the Czech is proper captain material. Not the most gifted but always gives 100%. Paqman also superb and lovely to see him and Potter afterwards with the hugs and smiles. Onwards and upwards 👍
Yeah tough one to sum up ..so glad we won ..stats bit worrying..but lots of injuries and we’ll take that to get the confidence flowing and feel good factor…we need to buy some players now ASAP..we won’t keep getting away with being gifted goals like tonight…but let’s enjoy the win…build from here potts
Dr Graham is a master psychologist for sure. A fractious bickering squad in total disarray and yet five days later and they are playing like Band Of Brothers. The Academy is lifted and has a spring in its step, The reserves are itching for a game; and Paqueta and Alvarez are like men reborn. The guy is a miracle worker. Yes this truly is sprinkled Potter-esque style magic.
Yup great to see. Everything seems so much better already – what a shame it didn’t happen after the Leicester disaster or earlier.
A surprising first half with the 2×0 advantage and West Ham putting up a fight. Good moments by WBK, Mo Kudus and with Soler and Soucek scoring in a quick sequence. A difficult second half, with the old defensive problems surfacing again. Interesting to see Irving. Ings and Alvarez better than against Aston Villa. With great collective effort the team managed to keep the momentum up until the last minute, and secure the final 3×2 win. Excellent first 3 Potter-points!