Fulham 1-1 West Ham: Danny Ings' stoppage time equaliser rescues a point for West Ham at Craven Cottage
Danny Ings scored a crucial late goal to secure a draw for West Ham against Fulham, with the match ending 1-1 at Craven Cottage. Marco Silva's team had to settle for just one point.
Fulham kicked off the 2024/25 season on a high note, and their strong performance in the first half reflected that. Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi, and Adama Traore all stood out with their impressive plays.
The fans in the stands believed they deserved a penalty when Traore was knocked down by his old Wolves teammate Max Kilman. However, it didn't take long for the score to change, as Raul Jimenez found the net in the 25th minute.
Previous referee Mike Dean discusses Traore's appeal for a penalty.
"It's not considered a penalty; it was just a slight push from behind. Given the current standards, the VAR reviewed it, but there wasn't enough evidence to change the original call."
Smith Rowe skillfully maintained possession near the sideline and then passed it back to Jimenez, who unexpectedly started in the lineup after taking the place of Rodrigo Muniz.
In the first half, West Ham posed barely any threat, with an expected goals figure of only 0.05. However, after the substitutions of Lucas Paqueta and Crysencio Summerville in the second half, their performance noticeably improved.
The former was just moments away from redirecting a cross into the goal, and Jarrod Bowen had a shot that was saved by Alphonse Areola from just a few feet away.
A substitute saved a point for the away team when Bowen set up Ings, who had just entered the game in the 82nd minute. The striker found a little space and then shot the ball into the bottom corner.
A goal scored almost at the very end of the match. The Hammers struggled for a large part of the game, but managed to get back into it thanks to their substitutions – and Julen Lopetegui should be acknowledged for that.
Silva: Penalty And Red Card Decision Missed
Manager Marco Silva of Fulham:
"I have no doubts about it. I didn't on the field, and I still don't. I was sprinting as a player when I felt someone pushing me from behind; it was very obvious."
The referee's position was excellent. While we must honor their decision, it significantly affected the outcome of the match.
"If it’s a foul worthy of a penalty, then he must be ejected from the game. It's an obvious penalty and an undeniable red card since he didn’t make contact with the ball."
Lopetegui: Ings Nearly Left The Club
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui:
Danny Ings was nearly on his way out during the summer, but he ended up staying. He serves as a great example; throughout the season, there will be numerous moments, and every player needs to be prepared for them.
"I'm really glad for him. He had a chance to leave, but he chose to stay. He's doing an excellent job."
Fulham Needs To Boost Scoring Efficiency
Patrick Rowe from Sky Sports:
Fulham took control during the first half. It was exciting to see Alex Iwobi, Emile Smith Rowe, Andreas Pereira, and Adama Traore work together seamlessly at times.
They dominated their rivals effortlessly before halftime and really should have increased their lead after Raul Jimenez's early goal.
They took 20 shots in total, along with numerous instances where players missed chances to challenge Alphonse Areola, showcasing their control over the game.
The home team shouldn't have played defensively to protect their lead. By the time Danny Ings equalized, they should have been comfortably ahead.
This Fulham team has the potential to create opportunities and is a joy to watch. However, if they aim to turn this potential into actual points in the Premier League, they need to be more aggressive and decisive when it comes to scoring.
Summerville Sparkles From The Bench
Patrick Rowe from Sky Sports:
In the first half, West Ham struggled to create opportunities, with Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus appearing visibly frustrated at several moments.
Adjustments were essential, and that's precisely what happened. The influence of Lucas Paqueta, who took a break after returning from international play just on Friday, as his manager noted, along with Crysencio Summerville, should not be overlooked.
In only his fourth match in the Premier League, the winger made an immediate impact. His lively performance, skillful handling of the ball, and knack for attacking the defense created challenges for Fulham, a sensation they weren’t accustomed to during this match.
"With Kudus positioned on the right, Jarrod Bowen playing centrally, and the former Leeds player on the left, West Ham appeared more organized and posed a greater threat. The Dutch winger is likely to be considered for a starting spot against Chelsea next weekend."
