All West Ham fans have wanted is an aggressive, high intensity pressing game and Graham Potter has delivered it in less than a week.
West Ham welcomed London rivals Fulham to the London Stadium in the Premier League for Graham Potter’s first home game.
After exiting the FA Cup in Potter’s first game, this was a game West Ham had to win to keep any embers of their season burning.
The problem is West Ham’s new manager has been faced with an injury crisis on walking in the door.
With no Niclas Fullkrug, Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, Crysencio Summerville, Jean-Clair Todibo or Alphonse Areola, Potter really did need to be a wizard to conjure something against a decent Fulham side.
Well he certainly waved his wand over a game that had the potential to be the death knell on the club’s campaign.
An intriguing starting XI saw Lucas Paqueta played as the forward, just as Potter had hinted.
After an indifferent opening quarter where Fulham were on top, West Ham were sparked into life by Max Kilman’s disallowed goal.
From there Potter’s system, approach, tactics and the holy grail – a high-intensity press – came into its own.
First through Edson Alvarez putting Andreas Pereira under so much pressure on the edge of his own box that he blindly passed straight to Carlos Soler.
He still had plenty to do, cushioning a beautiful first-time half volley past Bernd Leno on the half hour.
Two minutes later it was 2-0. Soler brilliantly found Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right and his cut-back was turned home expertly by captain Tomas Soucek.
We’ve got our West Ham back as Potter gets 10/10
Into the second half, Fulham upped the tempo massively.
Alex Iwobi was credited with a goal after a deft ball into that corridor of uncertainty wasn’t dealt with by West Ham’s central defenders and bounced past Lukasz Fabianski.
Mohammed Kudus had failed to offer Wan-Bissaka any help defending, allowing the overload and killer cross.
West Ham gathered themselves, though, and Potter showed his ruthless streak subbing off Kudus – much to the sulky Ghanaian’s disgust.
On came Danny Ings and within minutes Potter’s point was proved.
Paqueta went out to the right and helped Wan-Bissaka win the ball back twice to big cheers.
Ings then pressed Leno, nicking the ball and it rolled straight to Paqueta who, not too dissimilar to Soler cushioned a first time shot into an empty net from the edge of the box to make it 3-1.
If Paqueta’s goal was strikingly similar to Soler’s, then Iwobi’s second was almost a carbon copy.
Another clipped cross into the corridor of uncertainty was shockingly missed by Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos and again it just bounced past Fabianski into the net.
It all made for a very nervy finish.
Potter went to five at the back and it was a case of dig in.
Potter’s magic tactics key for injury-ravaged Hammers
The Hammers rode their luck at times and got away with a late Adama Traore miss after great pressure from young Ollie Scarles.
But with what he had to work with and the encouraging signs in terms of style and approach it really does feel like fans have got their West Ham back under Potter.
His nuanced changes were the difference between winning or losing this game.
With a fully fit squad and additions, the sky could be the limit eventually.
For now, this gives West Ham some interest in the rest of the season.
A few wins on the bounce and there could be something to play for again.
West Ham ratings vs Fulham:
Lukasz Fabianski – 6/10: Didn’t actually have that much to do but his reactions perhaps could have been better for Iwobi’s two crosses.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7/10: Let down massively by Kudus but got an assist as he continues to be a key player for the Hammers.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 6/10: Started really well as he often does. But he and Kilman always give the opposition a chance. The better of the two central defenders tonight.
Max Kilman – 5/10: Started some moves well with nice passes out from the back. But really meek in defending the two goals. Needs to take more responsibility in those situations.
Emerson Palmieri – 7/10: Really good at both ends and went of exhausted.
Edson Alvarez – 8/10: His best game for over a year. Already benefitting from the clarity of Potter’s instructions and what’s being asked of him. Key to the opening goal. Everywhere, motivated and so much better.
Guido Rodriguez – 6/10: Did not do a lot wrong and helped control the game in key spells. But did nothing of note and looks like he struggles with the physicality of the English game at times. Committed performance nonetheless.
Carlos Soler – 7/10: Scored a wonderful goal and played some neat combinations. Could be a key player under Potter. Tired after lack of action recently and was subbed.
Tomas Soucek – 8/10: Everywhere, lead by example, got his goal and did not struggle in the system as much as many thought he might.
Mohammed Kudus – 5/10: Look disinterested for long spells and sulky. Complete no-show second half and subbed off in a huff.
Lucas Paqueta – 8/10: Probably edges man of the match after his goal and all-round display. Working for the team and playing in various positions.
Subs: All worked their socks off to help dig in and see out the victory. Nice to see Irving get some minutes. Ings was key to the winner.
Danny Ings – 7/10, Ollie Scarles – 7/10, Aaron Cresswell – 7/10, Andy Irving – 7/10.
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