West Ham United defeated fellow London club Fulham 2-1, in their pre-season friendly clash at Graz, Austria on Thursday, thanks to first-half goals from Manuel Lanzini and Ashley Fletcher.
Despite rumours of exit, Darren Randolph was given the nod between the sticks while Sam Byram, Angelo Ogbonna, Declan Rice and Aaron Cresswell started in defence. Josh Cullen and Moses Makasi featured in central midfield roles, with Sofiane Feghouli, Lanzini, and Nathan Holland forming the attacking trio behind Fletcher.
Fulham started the game positively, seeing a lot of the ball, but weren’t able to create any significant openings as such and it was the Hammers who took the lead in the 14th minute through Manuel Lanzini. Sone Aluko had a shot brilliantly saved by Randolph a little later, and Lanzini went close again with a curling effort. West Ham doubled their lead in the 39th minute after a poor touch from Fulham keeper David Button allowed Fletcher to tap home the ball.
Slaven Bilic rung in the changes at the restart, with just Cullen retaining his place from the initial line-up. West Ham allowed the Cottagers to have the ball and sat back and invited the pressure. Floyd Ayite and Cauley Woodrow had decent opportunities, but could not make them count. However, with 10 minutes to go, Fulham managed to pull one back through teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon, who fired home from close range, after some good work from Aluko. But they could not complete a comeback, as West Ham went on to win their game in Austria.
West Ham were a much better team in the first period and the likes of Feghouli, Lanzini and Fletcher had a good outing. They slowed down things way too much after the restart, but despite Sessegnon’s late scare, managed to hold on for a win. Second-half substitute Arthur Masuaku too was impressive.
Here is how the fans reacted on Twitter , following their win:
A good first half from a much sharper eleven, 2nd half pretty laboured tbh
— The West Ham Way (@WestHamWayCom) July 20, 2017
We sign a new striker and we already scoring more, and he isn't even playing yet!
— LowisDesigns (@LowisConnor) July 20, 2017
Its the Chicharito effect
— holayeyo en Youtube (@holayeyo_) July 20, 2017
That @AshFletcher___ goal was a bit suspect but I'm glad he scored over every one else
— Danny (@tenaciousdpp) July 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/lewis_slaven/status/888111625898663938
However, Robert Snodgrass seemed to find no love among the fans after his second-half display;
Snodgrass 🙈👎🏻 needs To go.
— Rob Bryan #GSBOUT (@RobBryan1987) July 20, 2017
A little worried about ole Snoddy. Passes too long or too short. No accuracy on corners…
— Dean💙 (@DAZ600) July 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/Wizz197677/status/888109573298470913
https://twitter.com/Jack_L_W/status/888110351501283328
He doesn't look ok interested, he doesn't look like it he wants it, he doesn't look like he wants to be here
— Rob Waldon WHUFC (@RobWaldon) July 20, 2017
While Manuel Lanzini had plaudits come his way;
nearly 2-0 (Lanzini again) this guy is just incredible at football, what a man!
— Hammers Chat (@hammers_chat) July 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/JPereira441/status/888086737959964672
https://twitter.com/EFNY97/status/888091923227037697
https://twitter.com/iamDomOConnell6/status/888086710059454464
Ain't nobody like @maanuulanzini10
— Shaun Dobbs ⚒🫧 (@ShaunDobbs1) July 20, 2017