Witness the thrilling moment as Danny Ings scores a last-minute goal, securing a dramatic 1-1 draw for West Ham in an intense London derby.
Introduction:
Striker Danny Ings rescued a 1-1 draw for West Ham from the jaws of defeat at Craven Cottage when he scored in stoppage time against Fulham in the Premier League encounter. Raul Jimenez had handed the home team the lead from a well-taken first-half goal, but Ings ensured that there was at least a point to share with this London derby clash.
Fulham Take First-Half Lead
Fulham are then in front through the 24th minute when Raul Jimenez converts a well-worked Emile Smith Rowe cross from low inside. The ball came back initially by means of one Andreas Pereira through-ball down West Ham’s right-hand side of the backline; Smith Rowe then nipped inside the box, using his darting run to create some space, to square the ball to Jimenez at the near post, where he tapped it past Alphonse Areola to net his first of the season.
See also: Mateta’s Stoppage-Time Penalty Rescues Palace in Thrilling 2-2 Draw
Fulham had already threatened to score before the opening goal. Just a minute earlier, Adama Traore lost his chance after heading Alex Iwobi’s inviting cross wide. Due to early pressure that paid, Jimenez’s goal was pretty much deserved for Fulham, leaving West Ham on their heels to go into the game.
See also: Gabriel’s Header Secures Arsenal’s 1-0 Derby Win Over Tottenham
West Ham Woes in First Half
West Ham could not break through Fulham’s defense until the first half. Julen Lopetegui’s side seemed void of ideas and did not have one attempt at goal to speak of before the break. With Joachim Andersen in their starting eleven, Fulham’s defense was more than solid, with few chances from West Ham being given a chance by Bernd Leno.
Trying to awaken his team’s attacking game, Lopetegui brought in Lucas Paqueta and Crysencio Summerville at the start of the second half. This immediately enlivened West Ham’s attack, and they began to put more threatening situations for their opponents.
West Ham Fight for a Scored Draw
West Ham was better in the second half as Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus became key influencers. Bowen nearly leveled on the hour, taking Kudus’ cross superbly before forcing Bernd Leno into a sharp reflex save. Paqueta also went close, firing just over the crossbar from distance.
Fulham remained rampant on the break, with Kenny Tete’s volley flying wide of the post and Adama Traore’s header from a Tom Cairney cross skimmed just past the post. Just when the match entered its final stages, Fulham seemed more than good for three points, as West Ham’s renewed attacking pressure was forthcoming to Fulham’s solidity.
Danny Ings Last-Gasp Heroics
As if the evening was slipping away from West Ham’s clutches, Danny Ings had other plans. Down the right wing, to end almost at stoppage time, low across the box, was Jarrod Bowen. His first touch was Ings and he ripped a ball past Bernd Leno to level the match. It was basically Fulham’s defense, which had been tight for most of the game, that could not prevent Ings from finding a way to the back of their net in dramatic fashion.
The late equalizer meant that what would have been Fulham’s second consecutive win of the season is instead an effort that has left the place with only one point from the encounter. West Ham, despite a slow start to the match, will have to count themselves lucky to escape without defeat, courtesy of Ings’ stoppage-time heroics.
Jimenez Continues to Haunt West Ham
Raul Jimenez has always reveled in facing West Ham, and his goal on Saturday marked his sixth against the Hammers – the most he has scored against any Premier League opponent. Jimenez’s poacher-like finish demonstrated his clinical nature in front of goal, as he made the most of Emile Smith Rowe’s perfectly placed pass.
Fulham dominated parts of the game but appeared dangerous only as an attacking unit and rue missed opportunities, especially after Adama Traore fluffed a header during the first half and Calvin Bassey’s last chance as he sought to win a game with a header from a free-kick.
Late West Ham Surge Saves the Day
West Ham will draw confidence from the second half of the match, in which they did look more threatening, and were creating trouble for Brighton and Hove Albion’s defense. Lopetegui’s tactical changes on introducing Paqueta, Summerville, and Ings came good and allowed the team to be much more urgent and creative at halftime.