West Ham temporarily moved out the bottom three by holding on for a point as Hammers left back Paul Konchesky was undeservedly sent off in the 84th minute. In all fairness, West Ham were the better side, maintaining an unbeaten record against Fulham which spans almost six years. Early on West Ham came close with Etherington hitting the woodwork courtesy of a Lee Bowyer corner, followed shortly by a controversial incident involving Fulham defender Liam Rosenior, who was accused of handling on the goal line after a shot from the rebound of Etherington’s earlier effort.
Reo-Coker looked in form once again as he put in a real captain’s performance as Fulham were perhaps fortunate to finish with a point based on the first half, but 0-0 reflects the performance of both teams, as Robert Green turned several Fulham shots away and kept the Hammers in the game.
Fulham’s makeshift defense were often tested by West Ham’s attacking men, but the fact that we have now gone thirteen hours without scoring away from home perhaps justifies why they were not punished by starting two Harewood and Zamora, along with an attacking minded midfield which became even more so when Yossi Benayoun came on to replace the half-hearted Lee Bowyer.
Chris Foy may look to rescind the red card issued to Konchesky who in my personal opinion was wrongly sent off for a ‘professional foul’ on Fulham winger Wayne Routledge, currently on loan from London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Player Ratings
Rob Green
Made several crucial saves to keep West Ham in the game, made a couple of errors that went unnoticed.
Jon Spector
Another okay performace, I’d like to see the other right-backs get a chance with that slot in the next few games.
Paul Konchesky
Unfairly sent off for a clean sweep on Routledge.
Christian Dailly
Made a rare start with no major impact
Anton Ferdinand
Solid display, better off with Gabbs at the back.
Lee Bowyer
Still room for improvement.
Matty Etherington
Hugged the left touch line for a lot of the match, distribution let him down a little.
Nigel Reo-Coker
Proved to Curbs why he should still be captain.
Hayden Mullins
Didn’t notice him much, but did nothing really wrong, lost possesion on more than one occasion.
Marlon Harewood
Strong and powerful, needs to put his shooting boots on next time we play or face the bench.
Bobby Zamora
Not at his best, could do better.
Yossi Benayoun
Should of started – energetic and attacking mineded as always, didn’t make a huge impact.
George McCartney
Brought on to hold onto the draw after Konchesky’s dismissal.
WHU Bookings:
Perhaps a little too clever, maybe Tevez would of been better suited in that situation.
West Ham:
Green, Spector, Ferdinand, Dailly, Konchesky (sent off 85), Bowyer (Benayoun 59), Reo-Coker, Mullins, Etherington, Harewood (McCartney 86 ), Zamora (Sheringham, 70).
Fulham:
Niemi, Rosenior, Bocanegra, Christanval, Queudrue, Radzinski, Brown, Volz, Routledge, Helguson, McBride.
WHU Bookings:
Yellow- Jonathon Spector & Nigel Reo-Coker
Red- Paul Konchesky.