Strikers, who wants ‘em?
Nicely, for probably the most half, not Graham Potter as the brand new West Ham boss went into his first Premier League recreation and not using a recognised entrance man on the pitch however got here away with all three factors.
Two targets in two first-half minutes from midfielders Carlos Soler and Tomas Soucek earlier than a 3rd from Lucas Paqueta after an hour handed Potter his first victory in command of the Hammers.
Potter wanted a striker in the long run, as his solely match one in Danny Ings got here off the bench to arrange West Ham’s third, however greater than something he required hatfuls of luck because it was solely a staggering miss from Adama Traore in stoppage time that ensured this frantic win after Alex Iwobi had twice scored from crosses.
Fulham tried 21 pictures, West Ham 4. The Hammers had been gifted two of their targets, too, after Andreas Pereira performed the ball throughout his personal aim straight to Soler for the opener earlier than Ings closed down Fulham keeper Leno to arrange Paqueta.
‘They had been items however from our stress,’ mentioned Potter. ‘We pressured the errors. We rode our luck at occasions however the place we’re with the gamers we’ve lacking, I am delighted with the win.
Graham Potter earned a hard-fought win in his first Premier League recreation in command of West Ham
Carlos Soler pounced on a defensive howler to provide West Ham the lead in opposition to Fulham
Tomas Soucek doubled West Ham’s lead simply two minutes later after good work from Aaron Wan-Bissaka
‘We needed to be artistic with the attacking choices we had. The efficiency was one in all excessive effort, excessive togetherness and understanding we should endure at occasions.
‘It was removed from excellent long-term, nevertheless it’s a basis. Heaps to do, however a fantastic begin.’
Accidents to Niclas Fullkrug, Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen have left West Ham determined to signal a striker in January however, for now, Potter selected to begin Paqueta up entrance and left Ings on the bench.
Fulham dominated the early levels and will have taken the lead. Harry Wilson volleyed in opposition to the bar after six minutes and Raul Jimenez additionally hit the woodwork on the finish of the primary half.
Twenty-five minutes in and West Ham nonetheless hadn’t touched the ball in Fulham’s field. Their first was when Max Kilman glanced Soler’s free-kick into the web just for it to be dominated out for offside.
The disallowed aim may not have given West Ham the lead nevertheless it sparked them into life and, ultimately, they started to play.
At his unveiling, Potter described having the prospect to handle West Ham as like ‘Christmas for the adults’ so how form it was of Pereira to gift-wrap the primary Premier League aim of his reign.
Two minutes later West Ham had one other. Mohammed Kudus held the ball up, discovered Soler whose cross picked out Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the again submit to chop it again for Soucek to attain.
Alex Iwobi scored twice to make sure Fulham remained within the recreation till the ultimate minute
Each Iwobi’s targets had been crosses that went all the best way in after being missed by his team-mates
There was nothing fortunate about that aim. Potter will wish to see rather more of this over the subsequent few video games.
Potter had by no means didn’t win any Premier League recreation through which his aspect led by two targets on the break however, crucially, he’s by no means managed West Ham earlier than.
His aspect couldn’t maintain on to their lead in opposition to Aston Villa within the FA Cup and, simply six minutes into the second half, the wonderful Iwobi curled in a cross that beat everybody and snuck in on the far submit.
Fulham saved pushing and it pressured Potter to show to his sole match striker simply after the hour. Proper on cue, Ings performed his half. He closed down Leno and poked the ball straight to Paqueta, who earned his simply desserts for a good shift in an unfamiliar place.
However, after all, that was to not be the top. Iwobi scored from one more cross and it was solely a fantastic late save from Lukasz Fabianksi to disclaim Jimenez and a outstanding miss from Traore that ensured West Ham got here away with the win.
Lucas Paqueta sealed the factors after a horror second for Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno
Marco Silva was left to rue his aspect’s defensive errors on a irritating night time for the guests
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‘We had been penalised by our personal errors,’ mentioned Fulham boss Marco Silva. ‘We had been so dominant till we conceded the primary aim. We hit the crossbar and West Ham weren’t close to our field in any respect. It is clear the end result didn’t mirror the groups on the pitch. The very best crew didn’t win the sport.’
Potter mentioned this week that panic shopping for a striker in January wouldn’t resolve all of West Ham’s issues. He’s proper about that. It’s not simply harm woes he’s bought to repair, there’s loads of defensive ones too.
