West Ham United secured all three points at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night, as a single goal was enough to see them beat Fulham. Crysencio Summerville got the all-important goal that see’s the Hammers move level with Nottingham Forest, outside the bottom three on goal difference.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team put on a defensive front as they were made to wait for their opportunity. West Ham would only get one, and they took it, with Summerville making the most of Bernd Leno’s blunder outside of his box.
The West Ham boss was full of praise for lots of his team but when speaking to the club’s official website, he picked out the supporters for helping them over the line:
“I’m very proud of the work, and a special word for our fans. I think they understand the moment of the team, the need that the team has for their support and today, it goes for them.
“We cannot thank them enough, honestly. The noise from our supporters was amazing.
“We were there suffering and the way they are supporting our players, I think they realise, I repeat myself, they realise the moment of the Club and we need them all.
“The players are responding. Of course, bad games and bad results can happen, but I think we are in the line of improvement.”
Better decision making
Whilst last week at Liverpool has been labelled a defensive blip by the West Ham boss, Nuno was keen to point out that his forward players made better decisions last night.
The Hammers have been making chances in their last two games, but failing to take them, against Fulham, they had to work for it, but took the one that counted.
“I think our forward players did well today. Of course, there were moments that we want and we need better decisions, but we cannot say anything until the last moments.
“They don’t save anything (energy-wise), they keep running, keep fighting, and this is the spirit that we have because nothing has changed.”
Moving forward
The win means that West Ham are level on points with 17th placed Nottingham Forest, and right in the battle to stay up this season. What’s important now, is keeping the momentum going.
The Hammers take a break from Premier League action this weekend, hosting Brentford in the FA Cup, before returning to league action against Manchester City.
“Now we’re going to recover and prepare for a beautiful game at the London Stadium for the FA Cup competition that we love so much. So let’s rest, let’s prepare and be ready for a big fight against Brentford.
“[Personally] I’m okay today, better than before, knowing that it’s a big fight. We have a lot of games, a lot of football to play. We’re going to need all the players. They are giving everything that we need from them. We demand from them a lot. Let’s keep going.
“I’m okay, don’t worry about me!”
