West Ham salvaged a point through substitute Danny Ings in a 1-1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday (14 September).
The Irons were second best in the first half and Fulham soon took the lead through Raul Jimenez, who caught the defense in the lurch.
Half-time introductions from Lucas Paqueta and Crysencia Summerville brought the Hammers back into the contest in terms of chances, and despite looking like they were running out of time, Ings popped up at the death to steal a point in west London.
The West Ham zone rated each player out of 10.
Alphonse Areola – 5
After his early withdrawal against Manchester City, Areola returned to the side as Fulham sprung from the trap but could do nothing about the opening goal. The game leveled up in the second half, but Areola’s control of his box was uncertain and a lack of communication almost led to another Fulham goal.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 4
He was highlighted by Emile Smith Rowe and Alex Iwobi on the flanks as Fulham split the defense for the opener, with Wan-Bissaka chasing shadows again and again. After Emerson’s withdrawal, he switched to left-back in the second half and wasn’t too worried.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 4
He initially controlled Raul Jimenez but was caught looking at the ball with his hand in the air before Smith Rowe put the ball through his legs and the Mexican kicked off. He improved in the second half with a powerful header to test Bernd Leno, and he was also much better positioned in defence.
Max Kilman – 5
He was perhaps lucky not to give away a first-half penalty for pressing Traore and was saved by VAR, but then allowed Jimenez to run him over and open a close-range shot. He and Mavropanos eventually settled matters at the back, but Fulham still had their chances.
Emerson (replaced by Vladimir Coufal, 57′) – 4
Emerson was the least exposed of West Ham’s defenders in the first half, but Emerson was still isolated when going forward and was forced off early in the second half with an injury.
Guido Rodriguez (sent off instead of Carlos Soler, 70′) – 3
They offered very little in the first period, and some risky passes in the second half did not calm West Ham’s nerves. Rodriguez was then booked for a reckless dive on Traore before he was lifted.
Edson Alvarez (introduced by Danny Ings, 82′) – 4
One of West Ham’s few defensively solid players in the early stages, but was often on his toes and launched into ferocious challenges. This continued until the Mexican was booked for a needless challenge on Joachim Andersen and was substituted soon after.
Jarrod Bowen – 7
Frustrated in the first half and Fulham’s stoic defense didn’t give him an inch of shot or pass. He moved forward to lead the line in place of Antonio in the second period and should have taken his side but was denied from close range by Leno. However, he finally managed to create a breakthrough by clipping a cross from the byline which Ings pressed home late on.
Tomaš Souček – 2
In an advanced midfield role, Soucek’s wide pass to Bowen was cut out to give Fulham possession in the build-up to the opening goal, and a half-volley into the box from the striker was headed into the frame before Soucek was pulled back. during the break.
Mohamed Kudus – 4
Dangerous run down the left but often left alone. He switched to the right in the second period and immediately started testing Antonee Robinson more often, but still couldn’t quite catch the Fulham full-back and curled his shot wide.
Michael Antonio – 1
He saw an early shot blocked but otherwise lost serve in the first half and was unable to provide much link-up play with his team-mates to trouble Fulham’s defence. Deservedly scored on the break.
Danny Ings rescues West Ham United
Substitute:
Crysencio Summerville (replacing Michail Antonio, 46′) – 6 – Ran straight at the Fulham defense and drew a yellow card-worthy foul on Lukic, providing the threat the Irons lacked in the first half, only to be denied by Andersen’s block late on.
Lucas Paqueta (in for Tomas Soucek, 46′) – 4 – Provided a bit more control in midfield to help the Hammers close the gap in the second half, but could not find a breakthrough for his side amid a late injury scare.
Vladimir Coufal (instead of Emerson, 57′) – 5 – Coufal came on for the injured Emerson and took the right-back position. Coufal tried to get forward when possible but was twice beaten by Fulham substitute Reiss Nelson but made it through. playing a key role in Ingo’s late winner.
Carlos Soler (replaced Guido Rodriguez, 70′) – 4 – The Hammers debutant did his best to have some control in midfield, but his yellow-card-worthy challenge on Tom Cairney resulted in a late caution and he was lucky to eluded the others just a few minutes later.
Danny Ings (for Edson Alvarez, 82′) – 8 – Came on with the game seemingly lost but was in the right place at the right time to head home Bowen’s cross to equalize at the end of stoppage time.