Crysencio Summerville played a pivotal role in West Ham‘s crucial 1-0 win against Fulham, a result that has significant implications for the Premier League relegation fight.
The talented Dutch winger seized on a crucial mistake by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno to score his seventh goal in the past 10 matches.
With this essential victory at Craven Cottage, the Hammers have drawn level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, sitting in the relegation zone only due to goal difference.
This result also tightens the competition for Tottenham Hotspur, with both West Ham and Forest trailing them by just one point. West Ham demonstrated their attacking intent early on, with Jarrod Bowen setting up Taty Castellanos for a shot that Leno managed to save in the opening minute.
Later, Bowen was provided with another chance by Castellanos, but his shot was deflected wide, and the Hammers captain subsequently missed a half-chance, sending the ball off target.
Fulham, aiming for their third consecutive win but missing their nine-goal winger Harry Wilson due to an ankle injury, looked to Josh King for creativity. However, both times King was thwarted by timely interceptions from Axel Disasi and Tomas Soucek.
Summerville netted the opener in the 65th minute (John Walton/PA Wire)
Alex Iwobi tested Hammers keeper Mads Hermansen with a couple of long-range efforts, before the West Ham stopper made a crucial intervention just before halftime, deflecting King’s quick shot behind.
Advertisement
West Ham nearly took the lead right after the break, with Leno making an excellent save to tip a Soucek header over the bar.
At the other end, Fulham were awarded a penalty by referee Matthew Donohue for a foul on Tom Cairney. However, a VAR review revealed that Cairney had kicked Castellanos’ calf, leading Donohue to swiftly overturn his decision after reviewing the footage.
West Ham gained momentum, but Leno had to be alert to prevent an own goal from Samuel Chukwueze, and Callum Wilson and Soucek just missed connecting with Summerville’s cross at the far post.
Fulham nearly took the lead when Iwobi’s cross found substitute Emile Smith Rowe, but he squandered the opportunity with a poor finish.
Shortly after, Leno rushed out of his area to intercept a through-ball but inadvertently passed it to Bowen. Bowen then laid it off for Summerville, who calmly finished into an empty net.
Fulham, still in contention for a European spot, attempted to respond, but both Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz saw their efforts sail just over the bar, and Hermansen made a remarkable save in stoppage time to deny Smith Rowe, ensuring West Ham secured what could be a crucial victory.