MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 13:39:29| >> :120:61119:61119:
Fulham logo
Premier League
Jan 30, 2013 at 8pm UK
 
West Ham logo

3-1

Berbatov (10'), Rodallega (49'), O'Brien (90' og.)
FT(HT: 1-0)
Nolan (48')

Match Analysis: Fulham 3-1 West Ham United

Match Analysis: Fulham 3-1 West Ham United
© PA Photos
Sports Mole analyses Fulham's 3-1 defeat of West Ham United at Craven Cottage.

Fulham hosted West Ham United in a vital clash at the bottom half of the Premier League table with both teams needing the three points.

Fulham started well and took the lead through Dimitar Berbatov's controversial header from a Damien Duff free kick and went into the break with the lead intact.

West Ham responded in the second half and equalised through Kevin Nolan. However, Fulham hit back just 33 seconds later with a Hugo Rodallega goal and wrapped up the win in stoppage time with a Joey O'Brien own-goal.

Here, Sports Mole analyses the result to decide if the points went the correct way.

Match statistics:

Fulham:
Shots 11
On target 4
Possession 53%
Corners 2
Fouls 8

West Ham:
Shots 8
On target 4
Possession 47%
Corners 8
Fouls 9

Was the result fair?

The result was, but 3-1 was perhaps flattering. Fulham started the better side and took a deserved lead, but West Ham responded well to equalise. However, when Rodallega notched right back again the Hammers were always chasing and Fulham held on well.

Fulham's performance

Much, much improved. Throughout their recent poor spell, Fulham were very sluggish going forward and created barely any chances. Tonight, however, there was much more urgency and aside from the goals they did score they could have had more. At the back they were a little dodgy at times but overall were very solid.

West Ham's performance

They were okay in patches, but were out of the game for too many spells, which cost them dear in the end. When they were chasing the game having got themselves right back in it, the one-dimensional manner of their attacks did not manage to penetrate a dogged hosts' defence.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Damien Duff: The Irishman picked up two superb assists with teasing balls into the box and was very good in possession. More than just that, however, he protected an unfamiliar left flank brilliantly: most of West Ham's attacking threat came from Ryan Jarvis on the opposite side.

Biggest gaffe

There weren't very many individual errors in the game, so West Ham will have to claim this award for their lack of concentration immediately after scoring. Just 33 seconds, one Duff cross and a Rodallega header later and they were once again behind.

Referee performance

Chris Foy was very good tonight. He could have panicked and sent off Steve Sidwell for a crunching tackle in the first half, but he took his time and produced the correct yellow card. Aside from that, he let the game flow when possible and correctly turned down Joe Cole's appeals for a penalty early in the second half.

What next?

Fulham: Things are looking a little more rosy at the Cottage now, and they will face Manchester United there full of confidence at the weekend.

West Ham: West Ham will go into Saturday's home encounter with Swansea City under a little bit more pressure following their three defeats in four league games.

ID:66827: cacheID:66827:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4930:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Fulham's Hugo Rodellega celebrates a goal against West Ham on January 30, 2013
Read Next:
Fulham seal back-to-back league wins
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!