‘Impressed’ – Mark Lawrenson predicts winner in West Ham v Fulham clash
Mark Lawrenson has backed West Ham to continue their march for a European spot this season by brushing aside Fulham on Saturday.
The BBC pundit has predicted the Irons to come away from Craven Cottage with a 2-0 victory against a side managed by a former Boleyn favourite in Scott Parker.
His Fulham side are languishing in 18th and are struggling to mount a survival bid having failed to pick up a Premier League victory since November 30 (2-1 win at Leicester City).
In his weekly predictions for the BBC, Lawrenson praised the powers of recovery at West Ham following their defeat to Liverpool last Sunday, saying: “The sign of a good side is when you can respond after a poor performance and the Hammers certainly did that in their win over Aston Villa.
“I was impressed by the way David Moyes’ side were set up from front to back – they kept Jack Grealish quiet for starters, but they always got men forward quickly too.”
He added: “Fulham did not really lay a finger on Leicester on Wednesday and their long wait for a first league win since the end of November goes on – I don’t see them ending it here, either.”
London bragging rights at stake
The previous encounter on November 7 between the London rivals was certainly one to remember.
It was not a game full of quality but there was a dramatic conclusion that set tongues wagging after.
After a recent burst of goals that includes three in his last two it is hard to think that Tomas Soucek had to wait until matchday eight for his first goal of the season, but it came in crucial fashion as he struck a 91st minute goal to floor Fulham.
If that wasn’t memorable enough, what happened next will surely go down in Premier League folklore.
Despite the late nature of Soucek’s goal there was still time for Fulham were awarded a penalty.
Ademola Lookman stepped up in the 98th minute but opted for a ‘Panenka’ style penalty which he ended up chipping down the middle, straight into Lukasz Fabianski’s arms to the delight of Irons all over the world.
That proved to be a monumental victory for David Moyes and his side.
After going three games without a win this late glory has helped to power them to a run of just three defeats in 17, a quite remarkable turnaround in form from the start of the season.
Nothing less than three points will suffice on Saturday.
In other West Ham news, see our view on where the game will be won at Craven Cottage.