WEST HAM UNITED v FULHAM
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2013
KICK-OFF: 3PM
REFEREE: MARTIN ATKINSON
iPHONE APP I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I INSTAGRAM I YOUTUBE
MATCH PREVIEW I PROGRAMME I TEAMSHEETFinal score - West Ham United 3-0 Fulham
93: There's the final whistle! A comfortable and fully deserved win for West Ham. Diame's opener might have had a bit of luck to help it on its way, but this was a very good West Ham display against a Fulham side who looked devoid of ideas aside from Taarabt's individual raids. The second and third goals were of a real quality. We'll have exclusive post-match reaction, highlights and more on whufc.com and West Ham TV soon.
92: The home fans break into a chorus of 'Bubbles' and well they might. It's been more than three months since they have had a home league win to celebrate.
91: Into three added minutes and it looks like a second consecutive 3-0 win here against Fulham and nine unbeaten home games against the Cottagers. Morrison is really in the mood now, beating three defenders inside the box with quick feet and then a double drag-back. Quality stuff, but Carlton Cole's shot is straight at Stekelenburg.
90: Cole made a point of going to Morrison there. That was some play from the No15 and he showed the composure and maturity to square for Cole when he might have been tempted to shoot.
89: GOAL! JOE COLE! Goals for Coles are like London buses! Morrison shows sublime skill to beat two defenders before squaring for Cole, who slams the first-time shot low and past Stekelenburg's right hand.
88: West Ham have had 21 shots, including ten on target. Fulham have yet to force a save from Jaaskelainen. They don't here, either, as Zverotic's cross goes behind.
86: It's great to hear the home fans enjoying themselves again. There is a long way to go, but this will give everyone in claret and blue a real boost. It's not over yet, of course...
85: A chance for Diame as he cuts inside on his left foot but slices well wide. He should have squared that for Morrison, really.
83: Dembele comes on for Richardson.
83: It is now! GOAL! CARLTON COLE! I'll come to that chance in a moment, but Carlton has just scored his first goal since his return. Morrison's superbly weighted ball for Downing, who beats Richardson to it and crosses for Cole, who cannot miss from six yards.
82: That should be game over. Diame nutmegs Karagounis on the edge of the box and the ball drops to Morrison, but he drags his shot a yard wide.
81: Maiga gets a very good round as he is replaced by Carlton Cole. As I just typed, the No11 has got better as the game has gone on.
80: Noble carries the ball 50 yards before passing square for Maiga, whose shot is wayward and dragged low and well wide of the far post. To be fair to the No11, he has done well in open play this afternoon.
79: Downing prods the ball forward in front of Richardson and Maiga looks like he could be in, but the two Fulham centre-backs crowd him out and Stekelenburg is there.
77: Nolan took a knock earlier and he's the man to be replaced. Noble takes the armband and Morrison is on. For Fulham, Karagounis is on for Sidwell.
75: We'll see Ravel Morrison shortly. Fulham are also preparing a change. It's going to be Karagounis, the Greece midfielder.
72: Parker believes Collins should be booked there are being fouled by his old team-mate. Instead, it's just a free-kick 35 yards out. The delivery is headed clear by Collins and West Ham break through Maiga and then Cole. He ignores everyone and runs about 40 yards before shooting from 25, but straight at Stekelenburg.
71: Downing finds Nolan with a fine diagonal ball. Nolan finds Cole inside and the No26 beats his man and crosses for Maiga, but Amorebieta is there to head powerfully clear.
70: Today's attendance is 34,946.
69: I don't believe this. Nolan wins the bouncing ball in midfield and finds Downing, who cuts inside on his left foot and curls a cross that hits the top of the crossbar! The ball drops to Maiga, who tries to find Cole, but the chance is lost.
68: A close call as Kasami benefits when Diame gives the ball away. The Swiss shoots low and the ball bounces a yard wide of the left-hand post. I think Jaaskelainen had that covered, but I can't be sure. Before the re-start, Joe Cole is on for Jarvis.
66: Another chance goes begging as Diame and Demel combine. The former whips over a great cross and Jarvis gets in front of Zverotic and meets the header flush, but it is straight into the arms of Stekelenburg.
65: Sidwell passes the ball to Jol rather than a team-mate and the manager takes the opportunity to replace Duff with Bryan Ruiz.
64: Maiga's confidence is clearly growing. He finds Jarvis, who wins a corner. Downing takes and Tomkins wins it. It's going in until the ball is hacked off the line for another corner. This one is cleared.
63: Tomkins is down at present rubbing his right shoulder. He seems to be OK, but that looks to be a painful one. Nolan boots the ball back to Stekelenburg and Tomkins resumes his position.
62: Close again as Maiga runs through and shoots low but this time it's straight at the goalkeeper. One more goal should be enough for the Hammers.
60: That's more like it! Maiga troubles Hughes and the ball drops to Nolan. He finds Maiga again, who cuts inside and tests Stekelenburg with a curler that the Dutchman parries to Downing. He loses Zverotic with two turns and blazes just over the top.
58: Maiga goes clear onto Noble's through ball but is flagged offside. If he was, it was by inches.
57: It's on a knife-edge, this game. You can feel the tension! McCartney crosses from the far side and Nolan tries to shield the ball for Jarvis coming in behind him, but Jarvis has cut inside instead. The ball dribbles away for a throw.
55: Fulham have had most of the play since going behind but now it's West Ham's chance to attack. Downing tries to find Diame inside him, but the pass is a yard too strong.
52: Can West Ham kill this game off? Collins lifts a free-kick to the edge of the box, but Maiga's header isn't great and Fulham can counter. The first cross eludes everyone but the second falls to Kasami at the far post. He is a bit surprised as Bent had jumped in front of him and the ball hits his shin and goes out for a goal kick.
49: Taarabt runs at Demel and wins a corner. Jaaskelainen punches and Downing's clearance isn't great. Thankfully, it doesn't matter as West Ham finally clear their lines. Jarvis counters but Richardson keeps him in check and the chance to score a second is gone.
47: GOAL! DIAME! It's a bit fortunate, but we need a bit of luck! Parker and Sidwell combine to lose possession and Diame is the beneficiary, running into the space left vacant, shooting from 25 yards and watching the ball flick off Amorebieta and past the stranded Stekelenburg. Who cares? They all count!
46: No changes in personnel as Fulham get the game restarted, but Jarvis and Downing have swapped wings. Diame wins a free-kick and Collins launches it into the box, Maiga flicks-on again but it won't fall for a West Ham player.
Half-time score - West Ham United 0-0 Fulham
Half-time stats: West Ham have had 59 per cent of possession and produced 21 crosses to Fulham's four. Shots-wide, it's ten to five in West Ham's favour, with three on target to the visitors' none. West Ham have completed 205 passes to Fulham's 151. No surprise that Mark Noble is leading the possession charts on an individual level, completing 31 of the 39 passes he has attempted.
47: Diame is booked now as his loose touch leads to a sliding challenge that fells Duff. Fulham come forward and the ball drops to Sidwell 25 yards out. His shot is blocked by Collins and spins high into the air before Tomkins hacks clear. That's half-time.
46: Into two added minutes and Nolan has a sight of goal. Jarvis makes a good run across the back four to collect Downing's pass. He checks and scoops the ball to the far post and Nolan, whose acrobatic effort is straight at the goalkeeper.
42: Jarvis is fouled down by the left touchline. Noble's free-kick is cut out at the near post.
41: Noble does well, winning the ball back and playing a one-two before sending Demel away into space on the far side. He clips the ball over the defence for Diame, who attempts a very difficult volley. The ball loops into the air and Stekelenburg collects.
39: Nolan feeds Downing, who wins a corner off Richardson. It's a good battle, that.
38: West Ham snuff out another Taarabt raid and Noble sends Downing away with a fine ball over the top. Downing tries to cut inside and then outside Richardson, but the left-back watches the ball and makes the challenge.
37: Patient build-up from the Hammers but it's all in front of Fulham. Eventually, McCartney and Jarvis combine, but the winger cannot keep the cross down as he cuts inside.
34: Amorebieta is down after an aerial challenge with Maiga. Nothing in it, but the game is stopped for Mr Atkinson to check over the Venezuelan. He's fine to continue.
33: Fulham are having their best period of the game here. Parker tries to play in Bent, but Demel has the pace to clear for a throw. West Ham simply cannot afford to go behind.
31: Richardson gets forward down the left and crosses behind Collins for Kasami, whose first-time effort dribbles wide.
27: Downing cuts inside and shoots low and hard. Stekelenburg makes the save his parry just eludes about three West Ham players. Fulham counter-attack and it's Taarabt again teasing the home defence. He plays a pass behind McCartney and Bent is in on goal if he gets there. McCartney tugs him back and is booked. Is he lucky not to be sent-off there? Anyway, thankfully Richardson blasts the free-kick high into orbit.
26: West Ham attack through Diame down the right. His cross takes a deflection and loops high - been a lot of deflections so far... - and Nolan fouls Amorebieta.
23: Fulham have a corner, but they shouldn't have as Bent was offside in the build-up. Instead, play goes on and Taarabt's shot deflects wide off Collins. The corner is cleared and Downing finds Diame. He tries to play in Maiga, but the No11 is crowded out and Fulham clear themselves.
21: Collins lifts the free-kick into the box and Maiga wins it again. Nolan collects, but he's two yards offside. Maiga is outstanding in the air, he really is.
20: Fulham threaten through Duff as he gets free down the left inside the penalty area. Noble works back well to clear, but Fulham come again and win a corner when Taarabt's shot hits Collins and spins wide. Nolan wins the header and West Ham win a throw. Diame is sent away from the throw and Sidwell comes across and takes him out. The Fulham midfielder is booked.
18: Downing and Demel combine to find Diame, whose cross wins another corner. Downing crosses and Collins is there seven yards out. He is under pressure, but will be disappointed to head a yard wide of the far post.
16: Diame wins the ball from Duff near his own byline before finding Maiga with a fine ball out. The Malian flicks on for Jarvis, but his touch lets him down and he is crowded out as he cuts inside 25 yards out.
15: Diame is fouled on halfway. Collins lifts the free-kick to the edge of the box, where Tomkins rises above two defenders to nod the ball square. Diame is there, but his first-time volley screws over the top.
13: Noble can't win the ball from Taarabt and Nolan slides in and fouls the Moroccan. It's a free-kick, about 35 yards out. Surely not again? No. Zverotic nearly finds the upper tier of the Bobby Moore Stand with his effort.
11: A booking apiece now as Tomkins hesitates before sliding in and bringing down Kasami on halfway. It's definitely a yellow card, even if the ball did hit Tomkins after the contact.
9: Noble's free-kick to the near post is met by Maiga and the ball cannons back off the post! Fulham scramble the ball away. Replays suggest it may actually have hit a defender before hitting the post.
9: Superb ball by Noble inside the left-back and Downing is in behind. He cuts across Richardson, who scythes down the winger. Richardson is booked. Free-kick just outside the right edge of the penalty area.
8: Noble takes this one but Mr Atkinson spots an infringement. Free-kick to Fulham.
7: West Ham attack again and the ball finds its way to Maiga. His cross is dangerous but just eludes the home players inside the box. Downing retrieves, beats his man and crosses. The ball eventually drops for Noble, but his shot is deflected wide for a corner. The first delivery from Downing is superb and takes a nick off a Fulham head on its way through for a second corner.
5: Nolan finds Jarvis in space down the left again. He crosses and the ball takes a deflection, allowing Stekelenburg to claim high above his head. Fulham attack through Taarabt again, but he is crowded out and Bent loses control of the loose ball, allowing Jaaskelainen to collect.
4: Fulham haven't really been out of their own half yet. West Ham dominating possession. Unfortunately, the ball over the top for Jarvis is too strong on this occasion. Goal kick.
2: From a throw, Diame cuts across the edge of the box but is tackled as he tries to work space for a shot. Sidwell passes back to Stekelenburg, who smashes the ball upfield.
1: Good start for West Ham, who have the ball in the Fulham box three times in the opening 60 seconds. First, Maiga wins a fine header and Downing's cross is cleared. Fulham attack through Taarabt but Collins tackles him and Jarvis is away down the left. Unfortunately, both his crosses are low and cleared.
3pm - We're off.
2.59pm - Just in time for kick-off, Mr Moon is in the ground. He was cutting it fine... West Ham will kick-off, shooting towards the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand.
2.55pm - Here come the two teams... It is rather cold here at the Boleyn, I must say. The fingerless gloves are on. Damien Duff has also gone for some handwear. For the Hammers, it's Diame who has gone for the gloves.
2.53pm - Here we go then. A 90 minutes that could go a long way to defining our season, even if the Christmas decorations haven't even gone up in my house! Big Sam said his team have been giving too many presents away. Let's hope he can turn into Big Scrooge this afternoon...
2.45pm - You can now download today's Official Teamsheet for free by clicking on the link above. The Digital Official Programme is still available too, priced at just £1.99. Click on PROGRAMME above to get your essential reading material!
2.40pm - George McCartney makes his first league start in just over a year at left-back. The Northern Irishman last started a league game at Tottenham on 25 November 2012, but has started League Cup games since then. He replaces Joey O'Brien. Elsewhere, Mo Diame is in for Ravel Morrison, Joe Cole is replaced by Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga comes in for Jack Collison. All four of those who miss out are on the bench. For Fulham, Steve Sidwell and Adel Taarabt come in for Derek Boateng and Bryan Ruiz, while Damien Duff is back from injury and replaces the absent Dimitar Berbatov.
2.05pm - The team news is in and the Hammers have made four changes.
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, McCartney, Tomkins, Collins, Noble, Diame, Nolan (c), Jarvis, Downing, Maiga
Subs: Adrian, Collison, Taylor, Morrison, O'Brien, C.Cole, J.Cole
Fulham: Stekelenburg, Zverotic, Richardson, Amorebieta, Hughes, Sidwell, Parker (c), Kasami, Duff, Taarabt, Bent
Subs: Stockdale, Senderos, Ruiz, Kacaliniklic, Karagounis, Boateng, Dembele
1.45pm - Just 15 minutes or so until the teams are announced and there is much debate in both camps over possible changes. With the Hammers and Cottagers both coming into the game on the back of a defeat, with Messrs Allardyce and Jol be tempted to make wholesale changes to their starting XIs? If you can guess our team correctly using #WHULINEUP on Twitter, you could win a signed item!
Good afternoon and welcome to the Boleyn Ground for today's Barclays Premier League fixture between West Ham United and Fulham.
Today's London derby is a real six-pointer, with the Hammers sitting in 17th place, above the Cottagers and the relegation zone only on goal difference. However, a victory this afternoon could lift Sam Allardyce's side as high as 14th in the table.
History is on West Ham's side, as they have not lost any of their last eight home league meetings with Fulham, winning four and drawing four.
Big Sam's side need to rectify their troublesome home form this term. West Ham have won just once in six home matches, losing four, and have scored just five goals in those games.The Hammers lost 3-0 at home to Chelsea a week ago.
Fulham have won twice in six away matches, but were soundly beaten 4-0 at Liverpool in their most-recent away league game. Martin Jol's side have lost their last four league matches and last five in all competitions. Fulham were beaten 2-1 at home by Swansea City a week ago.
Team news-wise, Winston Reid (ankle), Andy Carroll (foot) and Ricardo Vaz Te (shoulder) remain long-term injury absentees. Mladen Petric will also miss out on facing his former club due to a calf injury. Razvan Rat has been working hard on his recovery from a hamstring injury suffered on international duty with Romania, but it remains to be seen if he will be fit in time to feature.
For Fulham, German full-back Sascha Riether will miss out as he serves the last game of his suspension. Norway centre-back Brede Hangeland is doubtful with a sciatic nerve problem, but the towering defender could be fit to play for the first time since the 4-1 win at Crystal Palace on 21 October. Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff will miss out with a groin injury. Colombia striker Hugo Rodallega and young defender Matthew Briggs (both groin) are also out.
The team news will be confirmed at just after 2pm. In the meantime, why not download the Digital Official Programme for your tablet, PC or smartphone for just £1.99? To do so, click PROGRAMME.
You can also enter one of our two matchday competitions on Twitter - #WHULINEUP and #WHUGOAL - for the chance to win a piece of signed memorabilia! The Official Teamsheet will be available to download from this page at about 2.30pm.