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Zola Oversees Hammers First Away Win
Fulham 1-2 West Ham United
West Ham United's awful away record was cured today by new manager 'Franco Zola as two first half goals were enough to secure all points.
Sep 27, 2008 12:55:08 PM
Since Gianfranco Zola's arrival at West Ham United his Hammers have declared their happiness at the Italian technician's introduction of continental football. Di Michele would have aimed to carry his hot form over from last weekend that saw him claim a brace, and his strike partner Carlton Cole will have been keen to show his off-pitch troubles would not affect his football.
Fulham boast a sound home record - their scalp of title challenging Arsenal is testament to that, and they will be eager to lay another London side to waste with the visit of their east end rivals.
First Half:
West Ham have suffered an extraordinary case of travel sickness in the past having only claimed one draw from their past eight away games but within the first ten minutes Carlton Cole tried to right that wrong when he received a di Michele pass but blasted both high and wide.
Moments later Fulham had a shout for a penalty when Johnson claimed he had been fouled but it looked terribly soft and should the decision have been given the away side would have been rightly aggrieved.
After 20 minutes of play Johnson cruelly hacked down Ilunga and was lucky to stay on the pitch but Andre Marriner only believed the challenge was worthy of a yellow.
Fulham felt their way into the game as West Ham squandered opportunites due to a lack of communication and understanding between Cole and di Michele. Jimmy Bullard had a few chances, one from set-play, but still the score remained level.
Against the run of play though West Ham opened their account when a Matthew Etherington cross was met by Carlton Cole. Two minutes later Etherington sent in an 18-yard shot that Schwarzer was powerless to save and the Hammers doubled their lead just before time.
Second Half:
Julain Faubert, a makeshift fullback in the Zola regime, made some good runs and was responsible for some clever play as the second half resumed.
Ten minutes after the break the home team want a penalty and Marriner blows for it. Danny Murphy converted from the penalty spot and Fulham got themselves back into the tie.
Bullard has been responsible for many of the Cottagers moves and was largely responsible for pushing the home side forward after their goal shrunk West Ham's lead to one.
West Ham start to look nervy as the game closes out and start squandering possession. Their overall play is sloppy, but they could have got their two goal advantage back had it not been for a crucial Hangeland block to deny Craig Bellamy.
Fulham's home record was dented though and West Ham claimed their first away win of the season as the visitors secured all three points.
LINE UPS
Fulham: Schwarzer - Hughes; Paintsil; Hangeland; Konchesky - Bullard; Murphy; Gera; Davies - Zamora; Johnson.
West Ham United: Green - Ilunga; Neill; Behrami; Upson - Etherington; Parker; Noble; Faubert - Cole; Di Michele.
Fulham boast a sound home record - their scalp of title challenging Arsenal is testament to that, and they will be eager to lay another London side to waste with the visit of their east end rivals.
First Half:
West Ham have suffered an extraordinary case of travel sickness in the past having only claimed one draw from their past eight away games but within the first ten minutes Carlton Cole tried to right that wrong when he received a di Michele pass but blasted both high and wide.
Moments later Fulham had a shout for a penalty when Johnson claimed he had been fouled but it looked terribly soft and should the decision have been given the away side would have been rightly aggrieved.
After 20 minutes of play Johnson cruelly hacked down Ilunga and was lucky to stay on the pitch but Andre Marriner only believed the challenge was worthy of a yellow.
Fulham felt their way into the game as West Ham squandered opportunites due to a lack of communication and understanding between Cole and di Michele. Jimmy Bullard had a few chances, one from set-play, but still the score remained level.
Against the run of play though West Ham opened their account when a Matthew Etherington cross was met by Carlton Cole. Two minutes later Etherington sent in an 18-yard shot that Schwarzer was powerless to save and the Hammers doubled their lead just before time.
Second Half:
Julain Faubert, a makeshift fullback in the Zola regime, made some good runs and was responsible for some clever play as the second half resumed.
Ten minutes after the break the home team want a penalty and Marriner blows for it. Danny Murphy converted from the penalty spot and Fulham got themselves back into the tie.
Bullard has been responsible for many of the Cottagers moves and was largely responsible for pushing the home side forward after their goal shrunk West Ham's lead to one.
West Ham start to look nervy as the game closes out and start squandering possession. Their overall play is sloppy, but they could have got their two goal advantage back had it not been for a crucial Hangeland block to deny Craig Bellamy.
Fulham's home record was dented though and West Ham claimed their first away win of the season as the visitors secured all three points.
LINE UPS
Fulham: Schwarzer - Hughes; Paintsil; Hangeland; Konchesky - Bullard; Murphy; Gera; Davies - Zamora; Johnson.
West Ham United: Green - Ilunga; Neill; Behrami; Upson - Etherington; Parker; Noble; Faubert - Cole; Di Michele.
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