Raul Jimenez struck five minutes from time to snatch a 1-0 win for Fulham at the London Stadium, condemning West Ham to another damaging defeat in their fight to avoid relegation.
The decisive moment came from a costly mistake by young full-back Ollie Scarles. His attempted clearance went straight to Harry Wilson, who reacted quickly to whip a cross into the box. Jimenez rose unchallenged to guide a header past the goalkeeper, silencing the home crowd and handing Fulham all three points.
It was a harsh outcome for West Ham, who had enjoyed plenty of the ball and created several promising openings but again failed to make them count. Jarrod Bowen went closest midway through the second half, steering wide from close range after a neat pull-back, while Callum Wilson and Soungoutou Magassa also squandered opportunities that could have changed the contest. Earlier, Magassa had failed to connect with a deflected effort that flashed across goal, summing up a frustrating afternoon for the hosts.
Fulham, disciplined and patient throughout, offered limited threat for long spells but remained organised and ready to capitalise on any lapse. Their persistence paid off late on, as Jimenez once again proved decisive against a side he has regularly punished during his Premier League career.
The final whistle brought visible emotion, particularly from Scarles, who was consoled by team-mates after his error. West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was quick to defend the 20-year-old, insisting the club stands firmly behind him and stressing that mistakes are an unavoidable part of development.
The defeat leaves West Ham stuck in the bottom three, five points adrift of safety and now without a win in seven league matches. It was also another unwanted entry in the club’s history, marking their 11th home league loss of the calendar year.
Fulham, by contrast, continue to build momentum. The victory was their third straight league win, lifting them into the top half of the table and providing a positive end to the year. While the performance was not spectacular, their efficiency and ambition were enough to punish a profligate West Ham side and underline the contrasting trajectories of the two London clubs.
