Latest: West Ham 1 Fulham 0 – Diame’s goal leaves Whites trailing

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Fulham are in danger of a fifth consecutive defeat following Mo Diame’s goal shortly after the interval at Upton Park.

Diame’s effort from near the edge of the penalty area deflected in off Whites defender Fernando Amorebieta, giving West Ham a deserved lead.

With both teams’ under-pressure managers needing a victory, the Hammers dominated the early stages and almost went ahead when Mark Noble’s right-wing free-kick was headed against the post by Modibo Maiga.

Martin Jol’s struggling Fulham team were also relieved to see James Collins’ header from Stewart Downing’s corner drift wide.

Adel Taarabt started for the Whites in place of the absent Dimitar Berbatov and the visitors are again without Brede Hangeland.

Taarabt looked dangerous at times as Fulham threatened on the counter-attack, but Sam Allardyce’s side continued to have the upper hand and Downing brought a save from Maarten Stekelenburg with a fierce 25-yard strike.

Diame and Kevin Nolan then missed decent chances to put the hosts in front before the break.

However, Diame broke the deadlock less than two minutes into the second half.

The midfielder dispossessed Scott Parker and then nudged the ball away from Steve Sidwell, who should have done better, before trying his luck with a shot which struck Amorebieta, leaving Stekelenburg wrong-footed.

West Ham remained on top after the goal, with Stekelenburg denying Maiga and Downing firing over.

And they went close to doubling their lead when James Tomkins’ header from Matt Jarvis’ corner was cleared off the line by Darren Bent.

Fulham (4-4-1-1): Stekelenburg; Zverotic, Hughes, Amorebieta, Richardson; Duff (Ruiz 60), Sidwell, Parker, Kasami; Taarabt; Bent.
Subs: Stockdale, Senderos, Kacaniklic, Karagounis, Boateng, Dembele.

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