It was a night that encapsulated the unpredictable nature of West Ham, as Lucas Paquetá led the charge in Graham Potter’s first Premier League game in charge. Despite an unconvincing performance, the Hammers claimed a nervy 3-2 victory over Fulham at the London Stadium, offering their new manager a mix of relief and frustration.
West Ham’s disjointed display, featuring defensive lapses and missed opportunities, was offset by goals from Carlos Soler, Tomas Soucek, and Paquetá, capitalising on Fulham’s costly mistakes. Potter, facing a depleted attacking lineup with Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, Niclas Füllkrug, and Crysencio Summerville all unavailable, deployed Paquetá as a false nine. The tactical gamble paid off but not without drama.
West Ham began tentatively, their lack of pace and cohesion evident. Fulham seized the initiative, pressing high and dominating the opening exchanges. Harry Wilson almost opened the scoring in the sixth minute, his volley rattling the crossbar, while West Ham’s defence looked vulnerable to Alex Iwobi’s deliveries from the flank.
For all their dominance, Fulham failed to convert their control into goals, and their intensity waned after 20 minutes. West Ham grew into the game, finally showing urgency and forcing errors from Marco Silva’s side.
The breakthrough came in the 31st minute when Andreas Pereira’s misplaced pass across his own box gifted Soler the chance to slot into an empty net, punishing Fulham’s carelessness.
Barely two minutes later, West Ham doubled their advantage. Paquetá, embracing his improvised target-man role, caused chaos in Fulham’s defence, allowing Kudus to collect the loose ball and find Soler. A deft chip to Aaron Wan-Bissaka set up Soucek, who rifled his shot past Bernd Leno.
Potter’s tactical adjustments, including a midfield double pivot of Edson Álvarez and Guido Rodríguez, began to bear fruit. Soucek, operating as a more advanced No. 10, showcased his trademark late runs into the box to devastating effect.
Fulham’s response was limited before the break, with Raúl Jiménez heading against the woodwork.
Marco Silva’s halftime team talk seemed to energise Fulham. Antonee Robinson and Alex Iwobi combined well down the left in the 51st minute, with Iwobi delivering a teasing cross that confused the West Ham defence. Jiménez’s presence distracted Fabiański, and the ball found its way into the net to halve the deficit.
Fulham pressed for an equaliser, forcing West Ham onto the back foot. Potter introduced Danny Ings for a visibly frustrated Kudus, a move that paid immediate dividends.
Leno’s hesitation in possession proved costly as Ings robbed him of the ball, leaving Paquetá with a simple finish to restore West Ham’s two-goal cushion.
The drama wasn’t over. Iwobi once again delivered a dangerous cross, which evaded Fabiański and gave Fulham another lifeline. With six minutes of added time, West Ham faced a late onslaught.
Wan-Bissaka cleared off the line, and Fabiański denied Jiménez, while Sasa Lukic and Adama Traoré squandered golden opportunities to equalise. Somehow, West Ham held on, securing three points that left Potter relieved but fully aware of the work ahead.
