West Ham United beat Fulham in a hard-fought game at Craven Cottage. Crysencio Summerville got the all important goal that saw the Hammers head back across London with all three points.
The result means that Nuno Espirito Santo’s team are now level on points with Nottingham Forest, only inside the relegation zone on goal difference. There could not have been a more important time for the Irons to get a win.
Speaking to the club’s official website after the game, captain Jarrod Bowen was not going to play down the importance of the win:
“It’s massive,” Bowen said.
“Coming into the game, it was not a must-win game because you don’t want to put on too much pressure, but we knew what three points could do for us tonight.
“We’ve done it, with a 1-0 away performance. We had to hang in, had to defend well and took the goal really well, so it was a perfect night.
“It’s a big dressing room. It’s a great dressing room. I think you see it in the game today. I think the way we had to defend, especially in the last 20 minutes, the celebrations together at the end, it means so much to us.
“It means so much to the fans as well. To have that moment that we haven’t had for a few weeks, where we can celebrate three points, is unbelievable. We’re heading in the right direction. Of course, we’re still in the bottom three, but in terms of performances, in terms of results, we look really, really good as a side.
“I think we look good defensively. I think we look good going forward. So that’s all we have to do. We have to keep sticking together as a group and enjoy these moments when they come.”
The winning goal
Summerville rightly deserves the plaudits for netting the winning goal, but it was Bowen who was imperative in the build up. The 29-year-old was the first to put pressure on Fulham keeper, Bernd Leno, winning the ball that fell into the path of West Ham‘s number seven.
“I just kind of gambled and tried to always put defenders under pressure and try and seize on the initiative. If there’s a 50-50 ball, I’ll always try and run and create something and then just lay it off to Crysencio (Summerville).
“I think I’ve got a few assists in the last few weeks. So it’s probably not one of my greatest assists! He has done the rest on his left foot. He’s been brilliant for us this season, and it’s another winning goal for him tonight, and there will be a lot of plaudits he’s going to get.
“I thought his all-round performance as well was amazing, so it’s full credit to him for the way he finished in front of the away fans.
“He’s been a breath of fresh air for us. A real game-changer and such a great person as well.”
Continuing defensive performances
Up top, Nuno’s team got it done but one area that continues to impress is West Ham’s defence. Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was on top form, partnered by Axel Disasi and Jean-Clair Todibo, pulling off some outstanding saves the keep the Hammers in the game.
Like all the West Ham squad, Bowen is fully away of just how important the Dane is to the team now:
“Mads is someone else who, since he’s come in, has been unbelievable and saved us tonight,” Bowen continued.
“Sometimes you need your goalkeeper to step up in big moments, and he’s done that for us.
“I think he showed a calmness with the ball as well, which helped take that pressure off a little bit. In terms of the saves, it was world-class.”
