A renewed ability to perform the basics carried West Ham to their first away win since August, their blend of physicality and straightforward competence heightening the impression they will do just about enough to stay up. Yet even in victory it was hard not to think that David Moyes has already lost in the court of public opinion.
This should have been a moment for West Ham to celebrate moving three points clear of the bottom three thanks to a solid, committed performance. Performing even the simplest of defensive tasks had proved beyond them during their 5-1 defeat by Newcastle last Wednesday, but this was better. West Ham were deserved winners over a muted Fulham, Harrison Reed’s own goal condemning Marco Silva’s side to a fifth consecutive defeat, and can respond to any criticism of their pragmatism by arguing that it ensured they locked down the points at a tetchy Craven Cottage.
