LIVE: Fulham v West Ham - all the action at Craven Cottage as it happens

26 December 2010 14:02
13.57: That just about wraps things up here but a quick look at the table before the 3pm kick-offs show West Ham are off the bottom and sit 18th just one place and behind Fulham only on goal difference.[LNB]Don't go anywhere though as Sportsmail will bring you live coverage from those 3pm kick-offs and Aston Villa v Tottenham after.[LNB]Just to sum up Fulham, I will leave you with this stat from OptaJoe:[LNB]13 - Fulham have dropped more points from winning positions than any other team in the Premier League. Slipshod.[LNB]13.55: Big boos from the Craven Cottage crowd after a desperate performance from the home side, they are heading for trouble if they keep this up.[LNB]Take nothing away from West Ham though, that was a polished performance and they fully deserve the three points just through showing more predatory instincts.[LNB]Full-time: Fulham 1-3 West Ham[LNB]90+3min: Victor Obinna is warming up on the touchline...he is set to get all of seven seconds game time. What is the point with a two goal lead?[LNB]90+1min: Three minutes of added time, but this game is gone for Fulham. Hughes cuts a frustrated figure on the touchline, he knows more than ever his side are in a relegation battle now.[LNB]90min: Sub for the Hammers, Frank Nouble makes his first start since January as he replaces Piquionne.[LNB]88min: 'Oles' from the away fans as West Ham knock the ball about, they are loving this what avictory it's going to be.[LNB]86min: West Ham still looking comfortable at the back and it seems a good moment to bring you this stat from OptaJoe.[LNB]2 - This is the first time that Carlton Cole has scored more than once in a single Premier League match. Double.[LNB]83min: Fulham are throwing caution to the wind and West Ham still have one eye on the counter. Despite the home side still having more of the ball I still fancy West Ham tos core the next goal should there be one.[LNB]80min: We have not seen much of Fulham but this is another great chance. Duff does excellent to get behind the defence on the right but his clipped ball in the box is thumped over by Murphy. Wasteful.[LNB]77min: Just noticed a prediction from my colleague Matt Lawless at 11.45am, brave call that but it seems to be paying off so far.[LNB]74min: Brilliant from Green, Eddie Johnson is alone six yards out but his volley is charged down by the onrushing keeper who gets an outstretched hand to deflect the ball wide. Crucial moment on the match.[LNB] At the double: Cole scores his second goal of the game[LNB]73min: GOAL! Fulham 1-3 WEST HAM[LNB]No more they the Hammers deserve. Gabbidon punts a hopeful ball from the halfway line into the penalty area but Aaron Hughes can only header into the path of Carlton Cole who makes no mistake in firing past Schwarzer.[LNB]70min: Just 20 minutes to go and Fulham look no closer to scoring and West Ham have had the better chances. This game as much as any shows how much the home side miss Bobby Zamora and Moussa Dembele. No disrespect to Andy Johnson but he has struggled since his comeback from injury.[LNB]67min: Unlucky from Duff but this is showing signs of frustration and desperation. The Irish winger storms down the right before cutting inside 20 yards out and unleashing a powerful curling shot with his left foot that just curls wide of the far post.[LNB]65min: And another. Cole does well inside the box to fend off a challenge before squaring to Sears who shows good technique to swivel and shoot just wide of the post. Would have been a great strike had it gone in.[LNB]64min: But it's West Ham who go close. The Fulham back line is caught sleeping as Parker latches onto a through ball over the top on the right hand side of the area, but his low ball into the near post is cleared by Hangeland just as Cole is ready to pounce.[LNB]62min: The double sub is starting to show some dividends, Fulham look more dangerous as they press forward now. law of averages suggest Fulham will get a chance soon.[LNB]58min: A slight warning there though. Pantsil sends in a neat cross low into the six yard box where Green just beats Andy Johnson to the ball by punching clear.[LNB]Moments later Pantsil shows his frustration with a late lunge on Stanislas which he cops a booking for.[LNB]57min: Slight improvement from West Ham this half, they look about as organised as I have seen them all season and are under no pressure from Fulham, despite the home side's possession.[LNB]54min: Hughes has not waited long to see if his players would react to his half-time team talk. he has made two subs with Eddie Johnson and Damien Duff coming on for Etuhu and Dempsey. The latter looks like he is carrying a slight knock.[LNB]52min: And there is the danger, Murphy loses the ball in midfield to Piquionne who after threads a lovely through ball to Freddie Sears. The youngster squares the ball across goal for Cole but his first touch is a big let down and Fulham get back in time to desperately clear.[LNB] Piq that out: Frederic Piquionne races away after putting West Ham in front before half-time[LNB]50min: Fulham have had most of the ball but it is very clear this is a game between two teams that are struggling at the foot of the table, nobody seems to have the confidence to take this game by the scruff of the neck.[LNB]48min: Not good enough, Murphy rolls the ball to Gera who stops the ball before the ex-Liverpool midfielder unleashes a strike that flies way over.[LNB]47min: Free-kick to Fulham just over 20 yards out after Upson brings down Dempsey with a clumsy challenge. The English centre-back is booked for his troubles.[LNB]Fulham have had most of the play at the start of this second period and this is their first chance.[LNB]Second-half: Afternoon everyone, Fulham are out very early for the next period after being booed off at half-time.[LNB]Mark Hughes has probably thrown more than just tea-cups in that dressing room after what was overall a very poor first half. No changes as we get back underway.[LNB]HALF-TIME: Fulham were cruising after taking the lead through Aaron Hughes. But West Ham fought back with goals from Carlton Cole and Frederic Piquionne to change the direction of this London derby and set up what should be a belter of a second half here.[LNB]Dan Ripley takes over to provide all the action as it happens at Craven Cottage...[LNB]45mins: GOAL!!! 2-1 to West Ham and what a turnaround in the space of 10 minutes. A short one-two between Parker and Stanislas sees the midfielder (far from anonymous now) drift in a great cross towards Piquionne at the far-post and the Hammers go into the break, somehow, in the lead.[LNB]44mins: Wonderful weighted through ball into the bath of Cole and Schwarzer produces a fine one-on-one save to deny the striker a second. Corner for the Hammers...[LNB]43mins: Another handball shout from Fulham rightly ignored as Salcido plays the ball into the chest of Sears. James Tomkins takes a blow after Dempsey clatters into the defender.[LNB] 41mins: Corner for Fulham is cleared by West Ham. The hosts are eager to restore their advantage so soon after losing it but are being frustrated in their efforts.[LNB]37mins: Hardly deserved for West Ham but full credit to Cole who has worked hard today as he attempts to win over manager Avram Grant. Fulham didn't deserve to concede but that won't matter to the England striker - nor Avram Grant.[LNB] Cole fire: Carlton Cole celebrates his equaliser for the Hammers against the run of play[LNB]36mins: GOAL!!! Out of nothing West Ham are back in this one and it's Carlton Cole the scorer. Freddie Sears hits a poor cross into the box and Dickson Etuhu inexplicably directs the ball into the path of the striker, who tucks it underneath Schwarzer. The away faithful are sent into raptures.[LNB]33mins: Fulham playing the ball around with ease and it's becoming an all-too familiar sight for West Ham supporters. Heads are dropped, inept passing giving the ball away far too cheaply and too often, with their key players looking far too anonymous. Scott Parker is yet to been seen today... The hosts will be delighted.[LNB]30mins: Gabiddon is having an absolute torrid afternoon so far. On Boxing Day, West Ham are on the ropes at Craven Cottage exposed by Fulham's right-hand side which is making a mockery of the makeshift left-back. A neat flick from Davies completes a one-two with Johnson, directing a cross into the path of Dempsey who again just fails to connect with a header.[LNB]28mins: Fulham fans unhappy after Gera plays the ball onto Upson's arm and ref Halsey waves play on, allowing Cole to break forward and win a corner for his team. Schwarzer collects Stanislas corner and wipes out Kovac in the process.[LNB]26mins: Soon after West Ham were forward they are quickly back on the defensive foot, letting Davies travel towards goal before the Welshman unleashes a drive high over the bar.[LNB] Falling down: Clint Dempsey falls under the challenge of of Tal Ben-Haim[LNB]25mins: West Ham move forward on the right through Freddie Sears and full-back Tal Ben-Haim. But instead of waiting for numbers to join them in attack after winning a throw-in, the pair wast possession in an advanced area.[LNB]23mins: Gera attempts to get in on the act. The attacking midfielder negotiates his way towards the heart of the Hammers defence buts drills his subsequent shot well wide.[LNB]20mins: Better from Upson as the defender cuts Danny Murphy's run into the box after the Fulham skipper darts past Gabiddon. Corner fails to amount to anything but in terms of possession and threat, it's all going the hosts' way so far.[LNB]17mins: Fulham should have gone 2-0 up but Johnson squanders a guilt-edged opportunity from eight yards out. Davies's flashes the ball across the deck and the striker - unmarked with Upson and Tomkins caught out again - swipes it across goal. Must do better.[LNB]16mins: Gabiddon cuts out a decent overlap between Johnson and Davies on the right-hand side deep into West Ham territory and the visitors are struggling to break into the opposition half.[LNB]13mins: Fulham growing in confidence now as Andy Johnson tries his luck from long-range but Green is on hand to thwart the striker's effort to clutch onto the ball.[LNB]11mins: GOAL!!! Aaron Hughes heads Fulham into the lead. Unmarked in the box the Northern Ireland defender nods Simon Davies's pin-point cross beyond stranded Green. Gabbidon and Upson mere passengers. Abysmal defending, which has been the tale of West Ham's woeful season so far.[LNB] Head start: Aaron Hughes latches on to Simon Davies's cross to nod Fulham into the lead[LNB]10mins: Salcido forces a good save out of Green after his shot from distance takes a deflection of a West ham defender and bounces awkwardly in front of the keeper. Corner.[LNB]9mins: Neat passing from Fulham brings a fine build-up on goal. Ex-Hammer John Pantsil flights a good cross into the area and Dempsey manages to get above Upson and Tomkins but doesn't get a clean connection with the header.[LNB]7mins: Encouraging start from West Ham with Cole driving forward again powering a shot wide across goal. Had it been on target it would have troubled Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.[LNB]5mins: Carlton Cole wins a free-kick in a promising area for the Hammers 25 yards from goal after the striker is hauled down by Carlos Salcido. In the absence on Victor Obina (on the bench), Piquionne setps up and goes for power but his effort is driven straight into the Fulham wall and ushered to safety. [LNB]3mins: Free-kick for Fulham. Sears gets a warning from Halsey for failing to stand ten yards back. Murphy's flighted ball is headed over by Zoltan Gera.[LNB]1min: Robert Green forced into early action to collect Clint Dempsey's header into the path of Johnson in the area. Well alert and West Ham break forward at the opposite end.[LNB]Kick-off: Fulham, in their home white shirt, black shorts and white socks, get this London derby underway against the Hammers, in their home claret and blue shirt, change blue shorts and socks. [LNB] 11.55: The teams are out at Craven Cottage - don't miss a kick as Sportsmail brings you all the action as it happens.[LNB]11.45: Good news for West Ham fans: today's referee is Mark Halsey. The 49-year-old was the man in the middle during the Hammers last league win against Wigan, when the ran out 3-1 winners in what was billed (by the club) as their 'save our season' match. It's Halsey first game officiating at Craven Cottage since May 2009 - when Fulham beat Aston Villa 3-1. Similar scoreline today, maybe? [LNB]11.35: These sides played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Upton Park in October with Frederic Piquionne (West Ham's top scorer) cancelling out Clint Dempsey's first-half strike. [LNB]Bookmakers Paddy Power are offering 5/1 for a repeat result today with the hosts priced at 10/11 for a win and the visitors 16/5... hardly surprising given the Hammers have not won on the road in the league in 27 attempts, stretching back to the opening day of last season against Wolves.[LNB] Under pressure: Mark Hughes and Avram Grant are managers both in desperate need of three points today[LNB]11.25: Speaking of desperation, things are hardly much better for Fulham boss Mark Hughes. Having been at Craven Cottage for just over six months after replacing Roy Hodgson, the Welshman has found himself in sight of the firing line in recent weeks with the Whites languishing in 17th.[LNB]Only three points and a superior goal difference separate them basement boys West Ham in the table, a stark contrast to the high hopes they held going into the new term in August following last season's incredible run to the Europa League final.[LNB]Hughes, who like Grant is reportedly facing a fight to hold onto his job, has hardly been helped by loss of key players to injury this year particularly in the striking department.[LNB]With Bobby Zamora and Moussa Dembele, Fulham fans will be pleased to see record signing Andy Johnson back in the starting line-up for the afternoon. Or will they? The injury-hampered one-time England international has not scored since March 2009...[LNB]11.20: Desperate times, seek desperate measures and Avram Grant knows all too well about that. [LNB]Back in action: Sears returns for the Hammers[LNB]With today's game a must win for bottom-club West Ham, the Israeli boss potentially faces the sack if the Hammers fail to pick three much-needed points in west London.[LNB]Grant has managed only two league wins from 18 games so far this season and after escaping Ewood Park with a draw last weekend, the under pressure manager has made five changes to his starting XI.[LNB]Notably, in comes Freddie Sears. The 21-year-old striker was recalled from a loan spell at Championship club Scunthorpe in mid-week and is plunged straight into action.[LNB]Sears, who has not scored since he introduced himself at Upton Park in March 2008, is joined in the line-up with goalkeeper Robert Green in place of stand-in Ruud Boffin along with Radoslav Kovac, Junior Stanislas and Carlton Cole.[LNB]Combative midfielder Luis Boa Morte misses out on facing his former club through suspension.[LNB] TODAY'S TEAMSFULHAMSchwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Salcido, Davies, Etuhu, Murphy, Gera, Dempsey, A.JohnsonSubs: Stockdale, Baird, Halliche, Greening, Duff, Kamara, E.Johnson[LNB]WEST HAMGreen, Ben Haim, Tomkins, Upson, Gabbidon, Sears, Parker, Kovac, Stanislas, Piquionne, Cole Subs: Boffin, Reid, Ilunga, Spector, Barrera, Nouble, Obinna.  [LNB]Merry Christmas to you all and welcome to the first of seven Boxing Day fixtures from the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]Two games have fallen victim to the winter weather with the cold snap claiming Blackpool v Liverpool and Everton v Birmingham earlier this morning.[LNB]There are no such problems at Craven Cottage, however, despite freezing temperatures gripping the capital with today's London derby all set and ready for action.[LNB]We'll have all the action as it happens from the 12noon kick-off.[LNB] Enlarge It's a London thing: Both sides are in need of three points when they collide at Craven Cottage this afternoon[LNB]  Hughes to offer out-of-favour Aston Villa striker Carew a Fulham lifeline West Ham boss Grant desperate for lightning to strike twiceFulham boss Hughes tempted by a move for Bolton's TaylorSack boss Grant now before it's too late, urges Hammers hero CotteeFULHAM FC

Source: Daily_Mail