West Ham vs Fulham referee confirmed as Gavin Ward appointed

Gavin Ward has been appointed referee for West Ham United’s Carabao Cup third-round meeting with Fulham on Tuesday night.

The Hammers host their London rivals at London Stadium on Tuesday 15 September at 7.45pm, with the EFL confirming the fixture as part of the third-round schedule. 

The EFL has also now published its referee appointments for the round, with Ward selected to take charge of West Ham vs Fulham. 

Gavin Ward to referee West Ham vs Fulham

Ward is an experienced EFL official and has spent the majority of his career refereeing Championship fixtures.

He has officiated 157 Championship matches across the period tracked by OddAlerts, averaging 3.58 yellow cards per game in the competition. 

Ward’s overall career numbers also point towards a referee who is not especially reluctant to use his cards.

OddAlerts records 721 yellow cards and 27 reds across 197 matches, while FotMob currently lists his averages at around 3.4 yellow cards and 21 fouls per game. 

That could be relevant in a cup tie likely to feature plenty of rotation and physical midfield battles.

West Ham face Fulham with place in fourth round at stake

West Ham enter the game in excellent form after Friday night’s 6-0 victory over Wrexham.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have won four successive Championship matches, but Tuesday’s fixture presents a different test against Premier League opposition.

Read West Ham has already looked at our predicted West Ham XI against Fulham, with significant rotation expected before Saturday’s Championship trip to Millwall.

Supporters can also find the full broadcast information in our West Ham vs Fulham TV channel and live-stream guide.

The wider schedule can be followed through our West Ham fixtures and results page.

Fulham arrive after holding Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield, underlining the level of opposition awaiting West Ham.

Carabao Cup route becomes clearer

Victory on Tuesday would take West Ham into the fourth round.

The EFL’s Carabao Cup competition page confirms that fourth-round ties will be played in the week commencing 26 October. 

We have also published a full Carabao Cup fourth-round draw guide explaining when the draw takes place and West Ham’s route into the last 16.

Before any of that matters, though, West Ham must get past Fulham.

Ward will be the man responsible for controlling the tie at London Stadium.