Fulham 0 West Ham 1

Julien Faubert got his first start for West Ham but it was Fulham who started this game the better with Jimmy Bullard at the centre of most of their play. In the 7th minute Fulham broke quickly with Bullard setting up Dempsey just outside the box. Dempsey's shot was deflected wide to Konchesky, who from a tight angle shot straight at Green.

After ten minutes West Ham started coming into the game more and, whilst the game remained fairly even, West Ham created the better chances. Cole had the best of West Ham's opportunities. In the 12th minute he did well to beat the defender to a Noble cross but his snap shot from 12 yards was directed straight at Niemi in goal. In the 21st minute Cole volleyed right-footed from 18 yards out and his shot clipped the bar on its way over.

In the closing minutes of the half Fulham managed a couple of half decent chances. In the 44th minute Dempsey half-volleyed a Stalteri cross. But his shot from just inside the area was straight at McCartney. Thirty seconds into the time added on Andreasen shot from wide left 25 yards out and forced a save from Green.

Fulham started the second half strongly and created a couple of chances in the opening minutes. The chances fell to Camara and then Bullard but both had their shots deflected wide by the West Ham defence.

West Ham finally got going and in the 60th minute Noble played a good one-two with Faubert on the edge of the Fulham box before shooting just wide. In the 62nd minute Solano came on for Faubert. Solano made a big difference to West Ham's play but it was Dempsey who had the first chance after his introduction.

In the 64th minute Dempsey was put clean through but tamely shot almost straight at Green. Dempsey should have scored, as should Cole 12 minutes later when Ljungberg crossed from just inside the penalty area to Cole four yards out and completely unmarked. Cole however headed straight at Niemi.

In the 84th minute Bullard also should have scored when he was put clean through but Green narrowed the angle and saved well low down to his right. With all this wasteful finishing it looked like the game would end up goalless but in the 86th minute Ljungberg crossed from wide right. Boa Morte headed the ball down behind the Fulham defence. Solano and Niemi both raced and dived for the ball and Solano got their first and elbowed the ball home.

The goal was given and in the ensuing Fulham complaints Andreasen was sent off. West Ham were very lucky to pick up three points today but will gladly take them and happily move up to 9th in the league.