Hammers give Ranieri vital lesson in finishing
WEST Ham provided a masterclass in taking your opportunities when they arrive; Fulham demonstrated exactly what happens if you don’t.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men only had three shots on target but they scored two of them, with Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio securing the Hammers’ fourth straight victory.
It was almost harsh on Fulham, who dominated possession and missed good chances of their own.
But that’s life in the Premier League, unfortunately for Claudio Ranieri’s rock- bottom side who simply haven’t got to grips with life in the big time.
Heading into this encounter, the optimism spurred by Ranieri’s debut win against Southampton has ebbed somewhat. After two losses and a draw, reality has kicked in.
No such concerns for Pellegrini; three consecutive wins has provided further evidence the Hammers are clicking under the Chilean after their worrying start.
Contrasting fortunes to say the least — not that you’d know it from the start of this London derby.
Andre Schurrle, after cutting in from the left, fired a sweetly-struck shot just over the bar in the ninth minute as Fulham started brightly. Less than a minute later, Aboubakar Kamara was sent through by Tom Cairney — but with just Lukasz Fabianski to beat the Fulham striker’s finish was woeful and the Hammers goalkeeper made the save.
It’s Fulham’s lack of conviction in defence that’s cost them this season — their woeful tally of 40 goals conceded going into this clash told its own story. However, Kamara’s finish was powder puff and Premier League matches are decided on such moments.
Eight minutes later, the Cottagers’ profligacy came home to roost. Denis Odoi made a mess of dealing with Mark Noble’s searching pass, allowing Felipe Anderson the freedom of Craven Cottage to locate Snodgrass on the edge of the box. There was still plenty to do, but Snodgrass’s finish was almost nonchalant — passing his subtle left footed effort high past Sergio Rico.
‘One-nil to the Cockneys ,’ screamed the away support. Ranieri, while he may not admit it, knows the story could have been different had Kamara shown an ounce of composure earlier.
Fair play to Fulham, though, who mustered a promising response and carving out three chances in as many minutes. First, Aleksandar Mitrovic saw his header ripple the side netting before Kamara wasted another chance, nodding straight at Fabianski.
Fulham — and Kamara’s — frustrations continued seconds later as the French striker’s rasping shot from 20 yards was palmed away by West Ham’s Polish keeper.
The hosts were giving as good as they got but in the 29th minute they were taught another hard lesson as the visitors extended their lead against the run of play.
How 5ft 9in Javier Hernandez outjumped 6ft 1in Tim Ream to flick on Anderson’s cross will remain a mystery. Likewise, why Antonio was allowed to ghost into the box unattended left Ranieri aghast. The forward had time to control and settle himself before finishing past the onrushing Rico.
Ranieri’s face was a sight. The Fulham boss replaced Ream with Cyrus Christie at half-time as he reshuffled his defence. And the substitute combined with Cairney down the right in the 51st minute to cause panic in the Hammers’ box before Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena combined to clear the danger.
The second half was mirroring the first, Fulham dominating possession without having a killer instinct. West Ham, on the other hand, were menacing on the counter, while Declan Rice again showed why he is arguably the best teenager in English football with a mature display beyond his 19 years.
Cairney threatened to slice through the visitors with a powerful run, only to be stopped by Balbuena before Antonio and Anderson squandered decent headed opportunities at the other end.
Things are looking up for Pellegrini; down, however, will be the operative word for Ranieri if he cannot rapidly galvanise his struggling team.