West Ham could be without key player Tomas Soucek for their next three games after a debatable red card during Saturday’s draw at Fulham.
The Czech Republic international was sent off in injury time after his elbow collided with the head of Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
It was a poor display from West Ham but they managed to hold onto a point via a 0-0 draw at Craven Cottage despite Fulham creating so many opportunities.
Fulham remain in the relegation places, with West Ham failing to capitalise on the opportunity to further close the gap on the top four.
The match saw just one change for West Ham after their 3-1 win away to Aston Villa on Wednesday night, with Jarrod Bowen replacing former Fulham star Ryan Fredericks.
The match brought a sense of nostalgia for Fulham boss Scott Parker as he faced his old club West Ham for a second time as a manager.
Straight from kick-off saw an early spell of pressure from Fulham as they dominated West Ham in the opening 10 minutes.
However, the first chance of the game fell to Bowen after Aaron Cresswell whipped in a teasing cross across the face of goal, but the former Hull City winger was able to make any contact.
A flurry of Fulham corners presented numerous opportunities for the home side, but with just 17 goals this season in the Premier League they were unable to capitalise.
West Ham’s top scorer Soucek had his opportunity to find the net from a header after Jesse Lingard’s cross landed on the edge of the six-yard box.
Fulham hit back and had a brilliant chance for Ademola Lookman just 10 minutes before half-time on his 100th English league appearance. The pass came in from the right-hand side and was controlled excellently but the young winger dragged his shot just wide of the post.
Another chance soon fell their way when a good cut back from Antonee Robinson five minutes before half-time was headed by Ivan Cavaleiro but straight into the hands of Lukasz Fabianski.
Then a lofted ball by Joachim Anderson over West Ham’s defensive line was struck well by Bobby Decorodova-Reid on the volley, but the shot was just over the bar.
The hosts then had another golden opportunity to take the lead when a brilliant through ball by Lookman played in Ruben Loftus-Cheek but he lacked composure and chipped wide of the post.
A double change by West Ham boss David Moyes just before the hour mark saw Mark Noble and Andriy Yarmolenko replace Bowen and Said Benrahma.
Vladimir Coufal had the best chance of the game when the West Ham defender came in from the back post with his header striking the bar from a Declan Rice cross.
A half-volley for Loftus-cheek in the 90th minute was Fulham’s last chance of the game – with Parker left in disbelief that his side failed to score.
Soucek was sent off just moments before the end of the game after what looked to be nothing more than a coming together with Mitrovic.
Referee Dean spent several minutes looking at at VAR before coming to the decision of producing a red card, which West Ham will no doubt appeal.
Fulham will look back at this game and not that their finishing once again let them down – just has it has all season. The result means they have failed to win any of their previous 12 games in the Premier League as they try to fight relegation.
For West Ham it was a lacklustre performance and uncharacteristic of the team Moyes seems to have built this season – with the Hammers perhaps keeping one eye on Tuesday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash with Manchester United.
