In a tightly contested London derby at the London Stadium, West Ham United were beaten 1–0 by Fulham, as a late strike from a seasoned goalscorer decided the contest at the end of a competitive Premier League 2025–26 fixture.
Stalemate Deep Into Second Half
The match started in a balanced fashion, with both teams probing for openings but neither finding the decisive breakthrough in the first 45 minutes. West Ham had promising moments in possession but struggled to convert pressure into meaningful chances on target, while Fulham looked solid defensively and focused on quick transitions.
West Ham’s attacking threats came from the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, who worked to stretch the visitors’ defence. Fulham, meanwhile, tried to build through midfield control and strategic crosses from wing play, with Harry Wilson involved in servicing deliveries into the box.
Jiménez Seals It in the 85th Minute
After a scoreless opening hour, the decisive moment came late in the match. With just minutes remaining, Raúl Jiménez rose highest to head home from a well-delivered cross, finding the net in the 85th minute and clinching all three points for Fulham.
Jiménez’s finish came after a defensive miscommunication deep inside West Ham’s penalty area. The goal proved to be the difference in what had been a tight contest, rewarding Fulham’s persistence and tactical discipline on the road.
Standout Performances
Despite the loss, there were notable performances from both sides:
- Raúl Jiménez (Fulham): The decisive figure of the match, Jiménez’s late header ensured the visitor’s victory and reinforced his knack for scoring key goals.
- Harry Wilson (Fulham): His delivery for the winning goal and consistent threat going forward underlined his importance to the team’s attacking play.
- Jarrod Bowen (West Ham): Remained West Ham’s main attacking outlet and tested the Fulham defence with his movement, though he couldn’t convert his chances.
- Alphonse Areola (West Ham): Made several saves to keep the scoreline close before Jiménez’s eventual winner.
Tactical Overview
West Ham started with a proactive approach, looking to assert control through midfield and wing play. However, Fulham’s structured defense and ability to remain compact limited clear opportunities for the hosts. Both sides traded possession without significant momentum until the late goal decisively shifted the balance.
Fulham’s tactical discipline allowed them to stay organised under pressure, sitting deeper after going ahead and forcing West Ham to take lower percentage shots from distance.
Final Thoughts
The 1–0 victory for Fulham was a significant result away from home, keeping them competitive in the Premier League 2025–26 season. For West Ham, the defeat added to a difficult run of form, compounding relegation worries as they struggle to turn promising periods into points.