English Premier League: Four Talking Points From West Ham vs. Fulham

Friday night’s game was a controversial yet comfortable win for the Hammers over Fulham. So what are the major talking points in the wake of another gruelling London Derby?

1 – Downbeat Fulham Look Resigned to Relegation

You could tell the minute Michail Antonio‘s 90th-minute header found its way into the back of the net. Goalie Sergio Rico‘s hands up in despair. Men in white hunched over, hands on knees. Ranieri’s stolid and sombre pose at the final whistle, arms crossed, as Manuel Pellegrini gave a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

This is a Fulham team badly lacking in belief and confidence, overwhelmed by a clinical display from a stronger opponent, and left to rue their wastefulness. A spirited first half performance ultimately came to nought – as Fulham seemingly ran out of gas in an underwhelming second stanza, letting West Ham take the three points.

Should this theme continue for the last 9 games of the season, Fulham is a dead certain to be back in the Championship come September. This is a squad desperately lacking in quality, true, but the worst thing they could do now is laying down arms and give up.

As Leicester City proved in 2014/15 with their “Great Escape”, miracles do happen – but only when everyone pulls their weight in the same direction. Cottagers fans can only pray former Foxes boss Ranieri can spark a similar miracle now.