Fulham vs West Ham: Premier League 2024 - Match Analysis

Final Score: Fulham 1-1 West Ham

Overview

The Premier League clash between Fulham and West Ham on September 14, 2024, ended in a dramatic 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage. Raul Jimenez opened the scoring for Fulham in the first half, while Danny Ings salvaged a point for West Ham with a last-gasp equalizer in the 95th minute. The match was characterized by contentious refereeing decisions, tactical conservatism from West Ham, and missed opportunities for Fulham.

Key Moments

1. Raul Jimenez's Opener (25th Minute):

   • Fulham took the lead midway through the first half when Raul Jimenez scored his first Premier League goal of the season. Emile Smith Rowe, who was instrumental throughout the match, provided the assist by cutting the ball back from the byline to Jimenez, who finished with precision.

2. Controversial Penalty Decision:

   • One of the most debated moments of the match occurred in the first half when Fulham's Adama Traore was brought down inside the box by Max Kilman. Referee Tim Robinson waved off the penalty claims, a decision that left Fulham manager Marco Silva fuming. Silva argued that it was a clear penalty and a red card offense, which could have significantly altered the game's outcome.

3. Danny Ings' Equalizer (95th Minute):

   • West Ham's Danny Ings came off the bench to score a crucial equalizer deep into stoppage time. Jarrod Bowen delivered a cross that Ings met with a powerful strike, which Bernd Leno could only palm into the side netting. This goal marked Ings' first league goal since March and highlighted his importance to the team despite limited game time.

Tactical Analysis

Fulham

• Formation and Strategy:

  • Fulham lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi, and Adama Traore supporting Raul Jimenez up front. The team focused on quick transitions and exploiting the flanks, particularly through the dynamic play of Smith Rowe and Iwobi.

• Strengths:

  • Fulham's attacking trio of Smith Rowe, Iwobi, and Traore caused significant problems for West Ham's defense. Their pace and creativity were evident, especially in the first half, where they dominated possession and created multiple scoring opportunities.

• Weaknesses:

  • Despite their dominance, Fulham failed to convert their chances into goals. The lack of clinical finishing in the final third was a recurring issue. Additionally, the team struggled to maintain their intensity in the second half, allowing West Ham to grow into the game.

West Ham

• Formation and Strategy:

  • West Ham started with a conservative 4-3-3 formation, featuring three defensive midfielders: Tomas Soucek, Edson Alvarez, and Guido Rodriguez. This setup aimed to provide defensive solidity but resulted in a lack of creativity and attacking threat.

• Strengths:

  • The introduction of Lucas Paqueta and Crysencio Summerville in the second half added much-needed creativity and energy to West Ham's play. Summerville, in particular, impressed with his direct running and ability to stretch Fulham's defense.

• Weaknesses:

  • West Ham's first-half performance was lackluster, with the team managing only three shots on target throughout the match. The conservative approach limited their attacking options, and key players like Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen were largely ineffective until the tactical changes were made.

Managerial Insights

Marco Silva (Fulham)

• Silva was visibly frustrated with the refereeing decisions, particularly the non-award of a penalty in the first half. He believed that the decision had a significant impact on the game and could have changed the outcome.
• Silva's tactical setup allowed Fulham to dominate the first half, but the team's inability to kill off the game and defensive lapses in the dying moments cost them the victory.

Julen Lopetegui (West Ham)

• Lopetegui acknowledged that his team could perform better, especially in terms of ball possession and attacking coherence. He praised the fighting spirit of his players, particularly Danny Ings, who made a significant impact off the bench.
• The manager's decision to introduce Paqueta and Summerville in the second half was crucial in changing the game's dynamics and salvaging a point for West Ham.

Player Performances

Fulham

• Emile Smith Rowe: The standout player for Fulham, Smith Rowe was involved in most of their attacking plays and provided the assist for Jimenez's goal. His movement and vision were key to Fulham's dominance in the first half.
• Raul Jimenez: Scored