West Ham’s European hopes suffered a second blow in the space of four days after a meek 2-0 home defeat by Fulham.
The Hammers were beaten 2-0 by Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the return match.
They then blew the chance to climb up to sixth place in the Premier League, and right back into the European shake-up, after two Andreas Pereira goals secured a first win in four for Fulham.
It was the first time the Cottagers had won away to West Ham since 2001 and having dominated the reverse fixture 5-0 in December, they completed a league double over their London rivals for the first time since 1966.
Leverkusen will not be quaking in their boots on the evidence of this timid display.
Yet West Ham should have gone ahead in the opening moments when Lucas Paqueta’s ball over the top saw right-back Vladimir Coufal burst into the area.
His initial effort was repelled by Bernd Leno and when the ball rebounded to the feet of Michail Antonio, the striker blazed over from eight yards.
Mohammed Kudus then curled wide narrowly wide before the lively Paqueta, who is suspended against Leverkusen on Thursday night, hit the side-netting.
But despite their bright start, West Ham conceded to Fulham’s first attack after nine minutes, a goal which would have had manager David Moyes tearing his hair out.
Konstantinos Mavropanos tried to bring down a deep cross from Alex Iwobi but succeeded only in gifting the ball to Pereira, who had been given a free run by Nayef Aguerd.
The Brazilian had the simple task of knocking the ball past Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski and finishing into an empty net.
Pereira almost had a second moments later when he slid in to meet Willian’s inviting cross, but he guided it wide.
Coufal has yet to score for West Ham since joining three and a half years ago, and he illustrated why when he crashed a good opportunity wide from Paqueta’s cross.
After the break Fabianski made a big save to tip Iwobi’s shot wide, but he was powerless to prevent Pereira doubling the lead after 72 minutes.
Paqueta was robbed in midfield by Joao Palhinha and Pereira laid the ball off to Rodrigo Muniz. He played in Iwobi, who burst forward before crossing for Pereira to apply another simple finish.
A damaging defeat for the Hammers had a sad postscript when teenage substitute George Earthy had to be carried off on a stretcher after suffering a serious head injury in a collision with team-mate Edson Alvarez, just two minutes into his Premier League debut.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal plans for next season BIGMATCH EPL transfer market It's hard to disagree with him. 1st Group to get knocked out And The WORST is yet to come. Cristiano Ronaldo is still playing. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Juventus offer choice of THREE stars to Man Utd in Sancho swapJuventus have reportedly reignited their interest in Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho by proposing a swap deal that includes a selection of three players from their current squad, according to GiveMeSport.Bayern Munich launch 'concrete' move for Liverpool's DiazBayern Munich have reportedly stepped up their interest in Liverpool wi...
BAYERN MUNICH are considering a shock move for Marcus Rashford.The Manchester United outcast is available for transfer this summer after being loaned out to Aston Villa last season.Marcus Rashford is wanted by Bayern MunichBayern are understood to be interested in the England star after being impressed by his form at Villa Park.Rashford, 27, scored four goals in 27 games for Unai Emery's side, and...
Arsenal are reportedly in advanced negotiations with Sporting Lisbon for the transfer of Viktor Gyokeres, as a move for Benjamin Sesko appears to be on hold. The Gunners' main objective this summer is to secure a top-notch striker, and the pair have been identified as prime targets.Both players are expected to depart their current clubs ahead of the 2025-26 season, but until now it was uncertain w...
Juventus coach Igor Tudor said 10 players asked to be substituted during his team's FIFA Club World Cup defeat against Real Madrid due to fatigue caused by "really difficult conditions" in the round-of-16 tie in Miami.Gonzalo García's second-half goal secured a 1-0 win for Madrid and confirmed the Spanish club's place in the quarterfinals at the expense of Italian giants Juve.But while temper...
Inzaghi: Al Hilal beating Man City like Everest without oxygenAl-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi compared his team’s stunning 4-3 extra-time victory over Manchester City in the Club World Cup last 16 to “climbing Mount Everest without oxygen,”.The Saudi team will take on Brazil’s Fluminense in the quarter-finals on Friday, following Marcos Leonardo’s 112th-minute winner th...
Newcastle apologise for 'offensive' flag in kit videoNewcastle United have issued an apology after a promotional video for their new third kit, created in partnership with Adidas, sparked concerns over cultural insensitivity.The controversy arose from the inclusion of a flag in the footage that appeared to resemble a historically controversial symbol.In one scene, fans were seen waving a Rising Su...
Jonathan David to Juventus close as striker nears decisionJuventus are reportedly closing in on free agent Jonathan David following his exit from Lille.According to Fabrizio Romano, the Serie A side is close to reaching an agreement with Canadian international after submitting a new offer.Negotiations are ongoing, with Juventus hopeful of securing the final green light soon.David has drawn interes...
Haaland asks Al Hilal goalkeeper Bounou to join Man City after stunning performanceAl-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou pulled off an excellent performance against Manchester City as they beat the Premier League side 4-3 in the Club World Cup.Many have only heard of Bounou after he led Morocco to the semi-final in the 2022 World Cup. Now, he is helping Al-Hilal progress to the next round of the Club...
Man Utd snubbed loan deal for Duran after his 3336k-a-week wages were revealedManchester United reportedly turned down the chance to take Jhon Duran on loan after discovering his huge wages.Just six months after making the high-profile switch from Aston Villa to Al Nassr in a deal reportedly worth around 364M, Duran has joined former United boss Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce ahead of the new campaig...
- 1 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 2 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 5 Chelsea transfer at 'final stages'
- 6 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 7 Man Utd close in on Bryan Mbeumo! Red Devils agree £60m+ fee with Brentford as Premier League rivals iron out final transfer details
- 8 Man United close in on Bryan Mbeumo
- 9 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 10 Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave for