FULL TIME: Late Solano strike wins it for West Ham
5:00pm Saturday 23rd February 2008
Fulham 0
West Ham 1
(Barclays Prmier League)
NOBBY Solano's late strike earned West Ham a priceless away win at Fulham this afternoon.
The Peruvian broke through the Fulham defence and bundled the ball home in the 87th minute to provide his side with a sixth win on the road this season.
But there was more than a touch of fortune about his goal - as he slid in with Cottagers' keeper Anti Niemi, the ball appeared to bounce off his elbow and into the net.
Fulham protested the goal furiously, and had midfielder Leon Andreasen sent off for dissent.
In truth, neither deserved to win the game.
In the first half, Carlton Cole had three fine opportunities to open the scoring, each time his effort blocked or off target.
Luis Boa Morte also should have done much better with a free header inside the six-yard box.
All of Fulham's play was coming through the lively Jimmy Bullard and Clint Dempsey.
And it was the American who had their best effort of the half, but his weak shot when well placed was easily cut out.
The hosts had a couple of handball claims after the break as they desperately looked for an opening.
But it was West Ham who grew in stature as the game wore on. Mark Noble was unlucky to see his effort go just wide of the goal after a neat one-two with Boa Morte.
Cole then headed straight at Niemi when unmarked from inside the six-yard box. His left-footed shot soon after was deflected wide.
At the other end, Robert Green denied Bullard was an excellent stop late on after the midfielder had stole in behind the visitor's back line.
With the match looming towards a goalless draw, Solano popped up to steal an important three points to keep West Ham on target for Europe.
West Ham: Green, Neill, McCartney, Upson, Ferdinand, Mullins, Noble, Ljungberg (Spector 90), Faubert (Solano 62), Boa Morte, Cole (Ashton 78). Unused subs: Pantsil, Wright.