In a thrilling Premier League clash at Craven Cottage, West Ham United snatched a last-minute equalizer, rescuing a valuable point against Fulham in what turned out to be a pulsating encounter. Danny Ings came off the bench to score a 95th-minute equalizer, helping the Hammers avoid their third consecutive defeat in head-to-head meetings with Fulham—the first time such a streak had threatened to extend since 1966.
The tension was high from the first whistle, with both teams looking to bounce back after inconsistent starts to their league campaigns. West Ham, in particular, bore the mental scars of a crushing 5-0 defeat at this very ground last season, which seemed to weigh on their shoulders as they struggled to get going in the early stages.
First Half: Fulham Dominate Early Play
With Lucas Paquetá surprisingly left on the bench, Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham was pinned back for much of the first half. Under Marco Silva’s energetic guidance, Fulham looked the sharper of the two sides from the get-go. The Cottagers were quick to press their advantage, with Adama Traoré proving to be a constant thorn in West Ham’s side.
Traoré had the first big moment of the game when he went down under Max Kilman’s challenge inside the box, but the referee waved away Fulham’s penalty appeal. Moments later, the Spanish winger had another golden opportunity, only to head wide from Alex Iwobi’s precise cross.
Fulham’s relentless pressure paid off in the 24th minute. Raul Jiménez, making his first league start of the season, continued his vendetta against West Ham, netting his sixth Premier League goal against them. The Mexican striker made no mistake from Emile Smith Rowe’s low cross, calmly slotting home at the near post to send the home fans into a frenzy.
Second Half: West Ham Fight Back
Lopetegui wasn’t happy with his team’s lack of offensive threat in the first half, having failed to register a single shot on target. He rang the changes at halftime, introducing Lucas Paquetá and Crysencio Summerville to flip the script. This tactical shift saw Jarrod Bowen pushed into a more advanced role, leading the line for the Hammers.
The tweak nearly paid off in the 60th minute. Bowen controlled Mohammed Kudus’ cross brilliantly, setting himself up for a powerful shot on goal, but Fulham’s goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, was quick off his line to make a vital block.
Despite West Ham’s improvements in play, they struggled to create many clear-cut chances as the clock ticked down. Fulham appeared coasting to a win, but West Ham’s persistence finally bore fruit in the dying moments.
Ings to the Rescue
As injury time stretched, it looked like Fulham had done enough to hold on for the win. However, West Ham’s relentless pressure paid off deep into stoppage time. Jarrod Bowen, a constant menace in the second half, charged towards the byline before whipping a perfectly weighted cutback into the box. With the composure of a seasoned striker, Danny Ings latched onto the pass and rifled it home from close range—his first goal since March.
Fulham nearly snatched victory with the last action of the match, but Calvin Bassey’s header drifted wide, leaving the home fans frustrated and Fulham rueing two points lost. The final whistle blew shortly after, securing a hard-fought point for West Ham and sending both teams back to the drawing board.
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Conclusion: A Game of High Drama
This thrilling encounter between Fulham and West Ham United had it all—missed chances, tactical changes, and last-minute drama. Fulham will feel they deserved all three points after controlling much of the game, but West Ham’s resilience paid off in the end, with Danny Ings playing the hero in stoppage time. This point could prove crucial for the Hammers as they continue their Premier League campaign, while Fulham will be left to wonder how they let victory slip away.
The Premier League never disappoints, and this match at Craven Cottage was no exception. Football fans can look forward to many more intense battles in the coming weeks—and with BangSports, you can be part of the action every step of the way!