Match Report by @WestHamAmerican

West Ham rolled to their fourth victory in as many Premier League matches after dispatching Fulham on a cold and rainy night at Craven Cottage. Goals by Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio were the difference for a surging East London side playing a derby across the city.

The Hammers playing in great form despite such high profile injuries, has been a great gift to their long-suffering supporters this December. The scoring happened early and often in the opening half. Only 17 minutes in and Mark Noble was leading a counter attack and found Felipe Anderson down the left channel. Anderson’s cut back to Snodgrass on the edge of the area, set up a perfect strike into the corner of the net.

Moments later, another counter attack and once again Anderson’s creativity set up Javier Hernandez, who flicked the ball to Antonio, and set up his 29th minute goal.

Despite West Ham’s success on the score sheet, they did put Fabianski under duress some in the opening half. Too many lapses in the back line, which a team that struggles like Fulham couldn’t convert into goals, but a better finishing team would have found some goals.

During the break Pellegrini made no changes. The defenders did perform better, as Fabianski had no shots on target to contend with. The Hammers caused no real threats during the second half either, other than a Anderson strike in the closing minutes, that Rico was able to save.

Once again, Andy Carroll made a late appearance but he was unable to generate any other scoring on a saturated pitch with a cold wind affecting both sides.

For Fulham, after five games of play, Claudio Ranieri has a good idea of the challenge he will have to save this club from relegation. He is already looking towards the January transfer window for answers and an escape. For West Ham, they now find themselves in ninth place with only goal difference separating them from their next opponent, Watford.

The schedule has long looked favorable during the month of December, but credit to Pellegrini to motivate this team to capitalize on the opportunity and collect 12 of 12 points. The Watford match on Saturday afternoon might be one of the most important in the young history of the London Stadium. Can this club, riding on a wave of momentum, find a win over a similar squad with their own recent success? Can the supporters turn an unpopular home stadium into the fortress they need? And who of the injured roster will be fit to play?

This week will involve a lot more questions than answers. But along with that, well-played to a squad that has shown both selflessness and poise in making this four-match run. There are 24 points to be had from December 1st until January 2nd. This club is halfway there.

Be sure to follow TheWestHamWay.co.uk for the latest on the January transfer window, and the latest from EXWHUemployee.

Fulham- Rico, Odoi, Mawson, Chambers, Ream, Bryan, Seri, Schurrle, Cairney, Kamara, Mitrovic.

Subs- Bettinelli, Christie (45’), Johansen (61’), Cisse, Vietto, Kebano (77’), Ayite

West Ham- Fabianski, Zabaleta, Balbuena, Diop, Masuaku, Snodgrass, Noble, Rice, Anderson, Hernandez, Antonio.

Subs- Adrian, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Obiang (62’), Diagana (85’), Carroll (73’), Silva

Referee: Mike Dean