West Ham rescued a point through substitute Danny Ings in the 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday (14 September).
The Irons were thoroughly second-best in the first half, and Fulham were soon ahead through Raul Jimenez who caught the defence napping.
Lucas Paqueta and Crysencio Summerville’s introductions at half-time helped to get the Hammers back into the contest in terms of chances, and despite looking like they’d run out of time, Ings popped up at the death to steal a point in West London.
Soccer4U rated each player out of 10.
Alphonse Areola – 5
Back in the side after his early withdrawal against Manchester City, Areola made several early saves as Fulham flew out of the traps but could do nothing about the opening goal. Play evened up in the second half, but Areola’s command over his box was shaky and a lack of communication nearly resulted in another Fulham goal.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 4
Exposed down the flanks by Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi as Fulham split the defence for the opener, with Wan-Bissaka left chasing shadows time and time again. Switched to left-back in the second half following Emerson’s withdrawal and wasn’t troubled as much.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 4
Kept tabs on Raul Jimenez early, but was caught ball-watching with his arm in the air before Smith Rowe threaded the ball through his legs for the Mexican’s opener. Improved in the second half with a strong header to test Bernd Leno, as well as shaping up much better in defence.
Max Kilman – 5
He may have been lucky not to concede a penalty in the first half for a shove on Traore and was bailed out by VAR, but then allowed Jimenez to run across him for the close-range opener. He and Mavropanos did eventually shore things up at the back, but Fulham still had their chances.
Emerson (off for Vladimir Coufal, 57′) – 4
The least exposed of West Ham’s defenders in the first half, Emerson still found himself isolated when he made forward runs and picked up an injury which eventually forced him off early in the second half.
Guido Rodriguez (off for Carlos Soler, 70′) – 3
Offered very little going forward in the first period, and some risky passing in the second half didn’t calm West Ham’s nerves. Rodriguez was then booked for a reckless lunge on Traore before being taken off.
Edson Alvarez (on for Danny Ings, 82′) – 4
One of few defensively solid West Ham players in the early stages, but was frequently off his feet and lunging into wild challenges. This continued until the Mexican was booked for a needless challenge on Joachim Andersen, and he was substituted soon afterwards.
Jarrod Bowen – 7
Frustrated throughout the first half and wasn’t given an inch to shoot or cross by the stoic Fulham defence. Moved up front to lead the line in Antonio’s place for the second period and should have brought his side level, but was denied by Leno from close range. He did manage to finally create a breakthrough though, cutting a cross back from the byline which Ings squeezed home late on.
Tomas Soucek – 2
Playing in an advanced midfield role, Soucek’s wide pass to Bowen was cut out to gift Fulham possession in the lead-up to the opening goal, and a half-volley in the box from a set-piece was skewed well wide before Soucek was withdrawn at the break.
Mohammed Kudus – 4
Dangerous running down the left but was often left isolated. Switched to the right in the second period and immediately began to test Antonee Robinson more often, but still wasn’t able to really get the better of the Fulham full-back and curled a long-range effort wide.
Michail Antonio – 1
Saw an early shot blocked, but was otherwise starved of service in the first half and couldn’t provide much link-up play with his teammates to trouble the Fulham defence. Deservedly hooked at the break.
Danny Ings rescues West Ham United
Substitutes:
Crysencio Summerville (on for Michail Antonio, 46′) – 6 – Was immediately running at the Fulham defence and drew a yellow card-worthy foul from Lukic, providing the threat the Irons had lacked throughout the first half, and was denied by an Andersen block late on.
Lucas Paqueta (on for Tomas Soucek, 46′) – 4 – Provided a touch more control in midfield to help the Hammers close the gap in the second half, but couldn’t find a breakthrough for his side amid a late injury worry.
Vladimir Coufal (on for Emerson, 57′) – 5 – Coming on for the injured Emerson and slotting in at right-back, Coufal looked to get forward whenever possible but was twice caught in behind by Fulham substitute Reiss Nelson, however, he did play a crucial role in Ings’ late winner.
Carlos Soler (on for Guido Rodriguez, 70′) – 4 – The Hammers debutant did his best to exert some control in midfield, but his yellow card-worthy challenge on Tom Cairney resulted in a late booking and he was lucky to avoid a second just minutes later.
Danny Ings (on for Edson Alvarez, 82′) – 8 – Came on with the game seemingly lost, but was in the right place at the right time to steer home Bowen’s cross for an equaliser late in stoppage time.
