West Ham took all three points from Saturday's London derby at Upton Park.
Starting Line Ups
First Half Action
A huge cheer from Fulham’s travelling fans before kick-off as Jimmy Bullard’s name was announced as a Fulham substitute. A massive boost for everyone associated with the Club and both sets of supporters gave the player a warm welcome back to Premier League football.
1 min West Ham got the game underway but it was Fulham who created the first opportunity on goal after only one minute of play. A long ball upfield found Healy on the left hand side of the area and the striker’s flick on found Dempsey, bursting into the area. Dempsey’s first time volley flew over the bar but Fulham’s front pair looked well versed early on.
6 min Goal Fulham!
West Ham conceded a free-kick 30 yards from goal on the left flank. Davies whipped the ball in and the pace of his delivery beat both sets of players in the area and Hammers keeper Green was left stranded as the ball found the back of the net.
West Ham 0 – 1 Fulham
9 min Saturday's London derby was a muted affair but both Bocanegra and Ljunberg required treatment after taking heavy blows to the head. There no malice in either challenge but both players required new shirts after taking cuts.
14 min Roy Hodgson was forced to make his first substitution of the game early on, introducing Aaron Hughes for Carlos Bocanegra. The American may have been concussed and Fulham’s Manager was taking no chances.
17 min Applause from both sets of fans as Bullard warmed up down the touchline with team mates Smertin and Seol.
24 min West Ham searched for a way back in to the game but Fulham’s defending was impressive. However on 27 minutes Dean Ashton pipped his marker to the ball to meet a Ljunberg cross from the right. Ashton headed across goal and past Niemi to bring the game level.
West Ham 1 – 1 Fulham
30 min West Ham’s goal brought the game alive and Fulham enjoyed a good passage of possession, knocking the ball around with confidence. Murphy was running the show for Fulham in midfield, showing some delightful touches.
33 min Ashton went within an inch of putting the Hammers ahead. Etherington’s cross from the left was controlled by the striker on the edge of the area and his first time volley looked goal bound. Niemi’s fingertip save did just enough to push the ball onto the cross bar and Fulham remained on level terms.
39 min The action petered out as half time approached and Upton Park was certainly subdued. However Ljunberg’s right footed shot from the edge of the area forced Niemi into a diving finger tip save.
42 min The Hammers looked most dangerous down the left flank. Etherington’s pace caused problems down the wing during the first half and he produced the all important final delivery on several occasions.
45 min Ljunberg and Bocanegra’s injury mean 3 minutes of added time and Fulham camped in the Hammers half before the break. A cross from the right almost let Healy in on the far post ball but the pace of the ball across goal beat the Northern Ireland striker. It was an entertaining first half at Upton Park with plenty of incident. Roy Hodgson’s work on the Training Ground was paying dividends as the Whites put on a much improved performance.
Second Half Action
No changes for the second half as the Whites got the game started. The Hammers attacked down the flanks early on through Ljunberg and Etherington. One notable aspect of Fulham’s play at Upton Park was an impressive work ethic and it was required to keep the Hammers at bay during the opening exchanges of the second period.
53 min West Ham’s pressure almost told when a corner from the left was headed goalwards. The home fans were celebrating as Danny Murphy caught the ball on the line. Fortunately Murphy heard Mike Riley’s whistle for an infringement.
57 min Dempsey fired in a thunderous 25 yard effort which flew just wide of Green’s near post. A fine strike by the American international. Three minutes later Konchesky headed the ball off the line from a Hammers corner to deny his former side.
63 min A long ball upfield left Cole in a on-on-one race for the ball with Stefanovic. Fulham’s captain coped admirably, fending off the striker and clearing to safety. It was last action Cole was involved in, as Alan Curbishley replaced him with former Fulham favourite Luis Boa Morte seconds later.
68 min The Hammers were causing problems down the right flank again. Ljunberg sent in three fine crosses in the space of a minute and seconds later the pressure told. Noble stretched to send in a cross from the right by-line and the ball found Ferdinand who smashed his right footed shot past Niemi.
West Ham 2-1 Fulham
75 min Fulham came back at the Hammers winning two corners in quick succession followed by a free-kick on the edge of the area. Davies delivered the ball from the right hand side and Baird’s header just skimmed over the bar. Fulham were almost back in it.
Bullard’s moment had arrived. After the longest of roads back to fitness the midfielder was introduced back to Premier League football and received a fine welcome from both sets of fans. Bullard replaced Volz and Smertin came on for David Healy. Murphy edged forward to play just behind Dempsey.
80 min Konchesky received a yellow card from Mike Riley after lunging in on Ljunberg. It was the Swede’s turn minutes later as he was booked for dissent.
84 min Curbishley replaced Matthew Etherington who had enjoyed a fine game with Lee Bowyer as the final minutes approached. A minute later Fulham earned a free-kick 30 yards from goal. Bullard stepped up for the fairytale finish but sent his set piece high over the bar.
87 min Julien Faubert a made a return to First Team football after his injury troubles, replacing Freddie Ljunberg for the final few minutes. As the clock reached 90 minutes the Fourth Official indicated two minutes of added play as the Whites went in search of an equaliser.
90 min A free kick 40 yards from goal and Fulham went so close to grabbing a point. Davies sent the ball in and it rattled around the box before eventually falling to Bullard 17 yards from goal on the right hand side. Bullard’s shot across goal was deflected wide and it was to be the last opportunity of the game for the Whites.
90 min Mike Riley called time on the game and Fulham left Upton Park without a point. It was a disappointing end to the game but Fulham can take many positives from Saturday’s game. It was a vastly improved performance by the team and Roy Hodgson has certainly instilled some confidence and organisation into his players. The return of Jimmy Bullard will be a huge boost to everyone at the Club as the Whites look ahead to Tuesday’s FA Cup replay in Bristol.