Robert Snodgrass shines as West Ham United leap frog three sides as they climb to ninth on the Premier League table after defeating Fulham 0-2 at Craven Cottage.
The first 15 minutes of this games was Fulham’s, as they controlled much of the possession and should have taken the lead when Aboubakar Kamara found himself one-on-one with Łukasz Fabianski behind West Ham’s defence.
Instead of taking the ball closer before testing Fabianski, Kamara appeared to hesitate when he tried a low shot which the Pole denied with an agile save on 11 minutes.
West Ham bided their time and after a few more shaky moments, found the back of the net with a classy effort from Snodgrass. Felipe Anderson cut in from the left flank to deliver a great pass to the former Hull player, who’s sweetly-struck effort had the requisite amount of power and curl to beat Sergio Rico between the sticks.
Fulham 0-2 West Ham HT:
Shots: 12-3
Pass accuracy: 80%-78%
Chances created: 9-3
Possession: 52%-48%The Hammers have a two-goal lead at the break, thanks to goals from Snodgrass and Antonio. pic.twitter.com/22tDI2kGZw
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 15, 2018
Snodgrass, who played well for most of the game, has been directly involved in five goals in his last four Premier League games (2 goals, 3 assists), after going 16 games without a goal or assist in the competition.
His latest goal will delight Manuel Pellegrini, who has been full of praise for the Englishman of late. “There were very few words that I spoke with him at the beginning of the season,” Pellegrini told the Belfast Telegraph at the beginning of December. “I gave him some demands about his weight, about his work.
“I always found him a good player, just will depend on what he wants, if he had a spot here for the season.
“He’s a very professional player. He’s doing it very well because he had desire to be here.”
Robert Snodgrass – recent @premierleague form:
Last 4 apps (4 hours, 23 mins)
2⃣ goals 3⃣ assistsPrevious 16 apps (13 hours, 28 mins)
0⃣ goals 0⃣ assists⚒️ @robsnodgrass7
#FULWHU pic.twitter.com/33h3vS8T8Y
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 15, 2018
West Ham were not without their own defensive frailties and the Cottagers had several opportunities to equalise. They really should have done when Mitrovic was left totally unmarked late in the first half, but the Serbian international directed his header wide.
It was Fulham’s abysmal defending that was the principle cause of West Ham’s second goal of the evening. Michail Antonio converted the Hammers’ second chance of the game after another ball from Anderson flummoxed their defenders. Alfie Mawson and Tim Ream were left in no man’s land as the both rushed to challenge Chicharito in the air. They both missed the ball and in the meantime Antonio was left all alone to receive the ball, which he poked home from close range.
This game was wrapped up in the first 45 minutes, as there was little action in the second half and the Hammers’s two-goal lead endured the until the final whistle. Victory on Saturday means the east London club have won their last four games in the Premier League. Before this evening’s victory at Craven Cottage, Pellegrini’s side had dispatched Newcastle United, Cardiff City and Crystal Palace in the space of seven days during the first week of December. West Ham have scored at least two goals in each one of their last four victories, turning their season around in the process.
West Ham have won four consecutive Premier League games for the first time since February 2014.
☑️ vs. Newcastle (0-3)
☑️ vs. Cardiff (3-1)
☑️ vs. Crystal Palace (3-2)
☑️ vs. Fulham (0-2)The Hammers are red hot.
pic.twitter.com/uL3cKMSAo4
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 15, 2018
The Chilean tactician has switched to a 4-4-2 formation in recent weeks, which could explain their success in the league. Whatever the reason, something has clicked and the Hammers have won four consecutive Premier League games for the first time since Big Sam was at the helm during the 2013/14 season.
West Ham’s outlook looks quite rosey at the moment, their victory puts them within two points of crumbling giants Manchester United, who are predicted to drop another three points in a difficult game against long-time rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
The situation is looking increasingly dire for Fulham, however, who remain bottom of the league with only nine points on the board so far. Claudio Ranieri’s men could, and should have done so much better today. They dominated much of the game, enjoying the bulk of possession and had many opportunities to find the net. It’s been remarked upon ad nauseam this season, but Fulham’s downfall has been, and was again today, the massive hole they have in defence. If it’s not addressed soon then there can be only one outcome this season.
The post How Robert Snodgrass is slowly becoming one of West Ham’s most important players appeared first on Squawka News.
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