Graham Potter gets West Ham spell up and running with win over Fulham
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Graham Potter worked his magic as West Ham beat Fulham 3-2 in his first home game in charge. Goals from Carlos Soler, Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta secured a first Premier League victory for Potter, who took over from the sacked Julen Lopetegui last week.
The former Brighton and Chelsea boss has had just three training sessions, and Friday’s FA Cup defeat at Aston Villa, to get his ideas across to his new players. Yet the Hammers, at times shambolic under Lopetegui, already look like something approaching a functioning, well-drilled football team.
Yes, they were helped by some horrendous Fulham defending, with goalkeeper Bernd Leno in particular having a night to forget. They also let Alex Iwobi score twice with crosses which flew straight in, to maintain their average of conceding two goals a game this season.
Fulham hit the crossbar twice as well, but West Ham rode their luck and withstood a late barrage to pick up a first home win since December 9. Potter had promised to be “creative” in picking his line-up, with his attacking options depleted through the absence of Jarrod Bowen, Niclas Fullkrug, Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville.
He was true to his word, putting Brazilian playmaker Paqueta in the central striking role, with Czech midfielder Soucek an unlikely number 10. But his new side were almost caught out in the sixth minute by a quick throw-in, with Iwobi able to swing in a cross which Harry Wilson volleyed against the crossbar.
