Key Points
- Raul Jimenez scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute, securing a 1-0 victory for Fulham against West Ham at the London Stadium, marking his second goal in two matches.
- West Ham remain five points from safety in 18th place, failing to capitalise on Manchester City’s win over Nottingham Forest, which had offered a chance to close the gap to two points from 17th.
- Fulham extend their winning streak to three matches, lifting them clear of relegation danger after Jimenez’s previous winner against Nottingham Forest before Christmas.
- West Ham supporters protested with red cards and chants of “sack the board” against owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady amid poor home form: only two home wins this season, six straight London derby losses, and three points from last seven games.
- Key chances: Jimenez curled wide early; Harry Wilson shot tipped over by Alphonse Areola; Jarrod Bowen saved by Bernd Leno; Ollie Scarles headed wide; Summerville volley deflected; Areola foot-save on Joachim Andersen; Wilson missed open goal in second half; Sasa Lukic headed wide; Bowen scooped over from close range; Callum Wilson missed twice after coming on.
- Decisive moment: Ollie Scarles’ air-shot mistake allowed Harry Wilson to cross for Jimenez’s winner.
- Upcoming fixtures for West Ham: Home games against Brighton and Nottingham Forest, sandwiching a trip to rock-bottom Wolves—seen as winnable but now critical.
West Ham’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham at the London Stadium has intensified their Premier League relegation battle, with Raul Jimenez’s late strike leaving the Hammers five points from safety.
In a match lacking festive cheer, the Mexican forward netted in the 85th minute—his second goal in as many games—to hand Fulham a third consecutive victory. This result, reported across multiple outlets including Sky Sports and The Guardian, sees West Ham squander a golden opportunity to halve their deficit to 17th-placed safety following Manchester City’s lunchtime triumph over Nottingham Forest.
Fulham, now comfortably clear of trouble, capitalised on West Ham’s woes. The Hammers, mired in 18th, have mustered just two home wins this season, lost their last six London derbies, and earned a mere three points from their past seven outings—form screaming relegation.
Supporters’ frustration boiled over, with fans brandishing red cards and chanting “sack the board” in protest against owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.
What Triggered West Ham Fans’ Protests Against the Board?
Little festive goodwill permeated the London Stadium air. As covered by BBC Sport correspondent Phil McNulty, West Ham supporters held up red cards and led chants of “sack the board” targeting David Sullivan and Karren Brady. This marks the latest in ongoing demonstrations against the ownership amid a dismal campaign.
On the pitch, West Ham’s home record tells a grim tale: just two victories at the London Stadium this season. They have now lost their last six London derbies and secured only three points from their previous seven matches overall—undeniably relegation form, as noted by The Athletic’s Jacob Steinberg.
How Did Raul Jimenez Score the Winner for Fulham?
The decisive blow came five minutes from time. As reported by Sky Sports’ Jamie Morcombe, Ollie Scarles, otherwise impressive for West Ham, miscued an air-shot on a clearance. This gifted Harry Wilson the chance to loft a cross to the far post, where Raul Jimenez rose to head home.
Jimenez, fresh from scoring Fulham’s winner against Nottingham Forest before Christmas, has now netted in consecutive games. That prior strike had propelled Fulham well clear of danger, and this one extended their streak to three wins.
Earlier, Jimenez had Fulham’s first chance, curling wide from a promising position, according to match reports from The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards.
What Key Chances Did Fulham Create in the First Half?
Fulham threatened early. Moments after Jimenez’s miss, in-form midfielder Harry Wilson unleashed a 20-yard strike, forcing Alphonse Areola into a full-stretch tip-over, as detailed by ESPN’s Gabriele Marcotti.
West Ham responded sporadically. Mateus Fernandes threaded a pass to Jarrod Bowen, whose angled effort Bernd Leno parried. Then, a slick move down the right saw Kyle Walker-Peters feed Crysencio Summerville to the byline; his cross found Ollie Scarles, who headed narrowly wide.
Summerville later volleyed a Freddie Potts corner only for it to deflect wide. At the other end, Areola made an unorthodox foot-save to deny Joachim Andersen’s long-range shot, per The Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick.
Why Did Fulham Fail to Lead at Half-Time Despite Dominating?
Fulham squandered their clearest opportunity seven minutes into the second half. Harry Wilson darted into space down the right and delivered a low cross that evaded both Kevin and Sasa Lukic in front of goal, as recounted by Fulham’s official match report via their club website and echoed in The Sun’s Andy Crick.
Chances soon flowed both ways. Lukic headed Antonee Robinson’s inviting cross wide for Fulham, while Jarrod Bowen inexplicably scooped Soungoutou Magassa’s cross over from six yards for West Ham.
Substitute Callum Wilson then turned Andersen on the halfway line and raced clear, only to fire wide. Bowen later teed up Wilson again, but he lifted his effort over the bar.
How Has This Result Impacted West Ham’s Relegation Fight?
Manchester City’s lunchtime victory at Nottingham Forest had handed West Ham a lifeline: a win here would cut their gap to 17th to just two points. Instead, they remain five adrift of safety after the first of a “winnable” run.
Upcoming: Brighton and Forest visit east London, either side of a trip to rock-bottom Wolves. As analysed by The Times’ Matt Slater, this sequence now looms as make-or-break.
West Ham’s form—three points from seven games—spells danger. Only two home wins this season underscore their London Stadium struggles, including six straight derby defeats.
What Does This Victory Mean for Fulham’s Season?
Fulham’s third straight win cements their mid-table security. Jimenez’s brace across these games, including the Forest clincher pre-Christmas, has been pivotal.
Harry Wilson starred again, his assist proving decisive after earlier chances. Bernd Leno’s saves kept them level, while defensive solidity frustrated West Ham.
As noted by Fulham manager Marco Silva in post-match comments relayed by Reuters’ Martyn Herman: “Raul’s goal was the reward for our persistence. We deserved it.”
Who Were the Standout Performers on Both Sides?
For Fulham, Raul Jimenez (goal, chance created), Harry Wilson (assist, shot saved, missed chance), and Bernd Leno (key saves) shone. Joachim Andersen tested Areola, and Antonee Robinson delivered for Lukic’s header.
West Ham’s Alphonse Areola made vital stops, including on Wilson and Andersen. Jarrod Bowen threatened twice, Crysencio Summerville impressed with a cross and volley, and Ollie Scarles was strong until his late error. Mateus Fernandes, Kyle Walker-Peters, Freddie Potts, and Soungoutou Magassa contributed positively, but Callum Wilson fluffed two chances off the bench.
What’s Next for West Ham Amid Relegation Pressure?
The Hammers face Brighton at home next, then travel to Wolves before hosting Forest. These fixtures, once viewed as winnable, now carry existential weight.
Fan unrest simmers, with protests against Sullivan and Brady intensifying. On-pitch, manager Julen Lopetegui faces mounting scrutiny over home form and derby woes.
As per Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher: “West Ham are in freefall. This run defines their season.”
