Premier League: Moyes and Hammers Need Lift-Off by the Thames

Fulham vs West Ham United

At the time of writing this, I’m not convinced David Moyes will last the day as manager of Premier League strugglers West Ham.

Then I think again and feel that the task of replacing the Scot with a better option at this stage of the season – when the games are coming thick and fast – will probably prove difficult.

Yet surprisingly, after everything they have achieved in the past few years, Premier League survival is on the line, never mind Europa Conference hopes.

The experienced Scot and West Ham should have more than enough to pull clear of the danger zone – despite the precarious position they find themselves in but they need to find points fast.

Moyes has been around long enough to know that security can be a rare gift in modern football, even if he insists he retains the backing of the West Ham board.

Yet Wednesday’s 5-1 humbling at home to Newcastle will not be forgotten by many of the Hammers’ faithful – a good number of whom left long before the final whistle – and it remains to be seen if the club owners are prepared to keep faith with the current managerial team this summer, even if they pull clear of the drop zone.

For now, it’s off to the Thames to face Fulham and a contest they dare not lose.

Talking Points

When you consider West Ham are currently in 15th place in the standings you might think they were clear of trouble.

Yet they are the highest of four teams on 27 points, thanks only to a superior goal difference, and have not won away from home in the Premier League since August,

Andreas Pereira scored the opening goal against Bournemouth in the Premier League — Fulham’s Andreas Pereira celebrates scoring their first goal with Harrison Reed

After 11 matches without a victory since then, (even when playing well they have not been able to win away from home) they need to reverse that trend and quickly.

While they are mainly at full strength, Fulham will be without key figures.

Brazilian Willian is back from suspension and could threaten to demote Bobby De Cordova-Reid to the bench.

But it is the absence of a striker who has spearheaded much of their campaign, Aleksandar Mitrovic, which could be felt the most.

He is due to miss the club’s next seven matches following his meltdown moment in the Cottagers’ FA Cup quarter-final defeat.

That means that Carlos Vinicius is likely to continue up front.

Manager Marco Silva will also serve the first of his two-match touchline ban following an incident in the same game.

Neeskens Kebano and Layvin Kurzawa remain out for the home team.

Fulham have won three London derbies in the Premier League this season and could secure four such victories in a single top-flight campaign for the first time in their history if they see off West Ham on Easter Saturday afternoon.

With tension rising amongst the east end faithful, this could be an intriguing encounter full of Premier League highlights.

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History

West Ham have enjoyed 50 victories in their clashes with Fulham over the years.

The Cottagers have been successful on 32 occasions with a further 24 draws.

One of those was this fixture two seasons ago when there was a goalless draw at Craven Cottage.

West Ham won when they met earlier this season.

On that occasion, Andreas Pereira put Fulham ahead before a Jarrod Bowen penalty and a Gianluca Scamacca goal turned the match around and Michail Antonio made the game safe.

That was one of four Hammers’ victories in their last five matches.

It was in 2014 when Fulham won this contest.

New Year’s Day 2014 actually as Steve Sidwell and Dimitar Berbatov scored the goals after Mo Diame had put West Ham ahead.

The very first meeting between these clubs came in the Southern League Second Division in 1898 when West Ham were 2-1 winners – B. Gresham and J. Reynolds the scorers.