Match Report
West Ham United (2) 2-3 (2) Fulham
League Cup Round 03 26/27 at London Stadium
Tuesday 15th September 2026 KO: 19:45
Referee:
Gavin Ward (Surrey)
Live on Sky Sports+
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Fulham progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a solid 3–2 victory over West Ham on Tuesday night.
An action-packed first half saw Fulham twice take the lead through Rodrigo Muniz and César Palacios, only for West Ham to respond shortly after on both occasions. The second half proved a more subdued affair, but the decisive moment came courtesy of Oscar Bobb, who scored his first goal for the Club to seal our place in the next round.
Álvaro Arbeloa made nine changes from the side that earned an impressive point away at Anfield on Saturday, with only the two full-backs retaining their places in the starting XI.
Fulham began confidently and, after enjoying the lion’s share of possession, opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Patient build-up culminated in Kevin whipping a deep cross towards the back post, where Antonee Robinson neatly slipped Palacios in behind the West Ham back line. The Spaniard delivered an inviting ball into the path of Muniz, who nodded home from close range.
The celebrations were short-lived, however, as the hosts drew level just moments later. Following a corner, a speculative cross was headed back across the face of goal by Konstantinos Mavropanos, leaving Morato with the simple task of heading home.
Despite the setback, Fulham quickly recomposed themselves and, in the 22nd minute, Palacios tested Finlay Herrick in the Hammers goal. A delightful first touch created space for the midfielder on the edge of the box before his driven effort was well dealt with by the goalkeeper.
Fulham restored their lead in superb fashion in the 37th minute. Joachim Andersen picked out a brilliant, drilled pass from the edge of his own box, slicing through the West Ham back line and finding Palacios, whose first touch was exquisite. Spotting the onrushing Herrick, the midfielder showed tremendous composure to lift a perfectly weighted finish over the goalkeeper and into the far corner. It was an outstanding goal in its simplicity, but one that also showcased the technical quality involved at every stage of the move.
On the stroke of half-time, the hosts were level once again. A low cross from the right flank took a fortunate deflection and fell kindly to Pablo at the back post. With the Fulham defence caught out of position and Benjamin Lecomte stranded, the striker lashed the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle, restoring parity as the sides headed into the break.
The hosts started the second half in a more composed fashion, suggesting the contest could prove just as eventful as the first.
That wasn’t to be the case, however, as the game became increasingly scrappy, with both sides making changes midway through the half. Manor Solomon came close to breaking the deadlock, curling an effort towards the bottom corner, only for Timothy Castagne to produce a superb block on the edge of the box.
In the 72nd minute, substitute Gonzalo García lashed an effort over the bar before Bobb restored the lead six minutes later.
The fresh legs of Josh King and Bobb put the West Ham defence under pressure, forcing them into surrendering possession. The Norwegian wasted no time in driving into the opposition box before firing a low effort into the back of the net.
A spell of dominance followed the goal, but Castagne was soon called upon again to deny what looked a certain equaliser. A rare foray forward culminated in another low cross from the right flank finding an unmarked Valentín Castellanos. Opting for placement over power, he directed a low effort goalwards from five yards out, but the Belgian defender was perfectly positioned to block clear. A real let-off.
Palacios came close to capping a stellar night in the dying stages but lashed an effort wide from close range before the referee brought the encounter to a close.
West Ham United: Herrick, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Morato (Scarles 83), Mukasa (Bowen 51), Orford (Piroe 83), Engels, Kante, Pablo (Castellanos 64), Ajala (Solomon 51)
Unused substitutes: Hermansen, Magassa, Golambeckis, Mayers
Goals:
Morato 16 (That didn't take long! A corner is headed clear and recycled back.
On the second attempt, Mavropanos is found at the back post as he heads it across for Morato. He nearly heads it straight at Lecomte from point blank range, but there is enough power to beat him.)
Pablo 45+2 (What a time to score your first West Ham goal!
Walker-Peters delivers a low cross from the right and Kante's flick as Lecomte scrambling.
The goalkeeper gets across to save, but palms it only to the feet of Pablo who smashes into the roof of the net!)
Fulham : Lecomte, Castagne, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson, Reed (Charles 63), Larsson (Manuel Ángel 63), Kevin (Bobb 69), Smith Rowe (King 69), Palacios, Rodrigo Muniz (García 68)
Unused substitutes: Leno, Bassey, Berge, Affengruber
Goals:
Muniz 13 (Dominance pays off! Muniz puts Fulham ahead.
It comes as Robinson feeds Palacios down the left channel. He dinks one into the middle and there's Muniz, unmarked to head home with ease. Statuesque defending from West Ham.)
Palacios 37 (DOESN'T MISS THIS ONE! That's so classy. Andersen goes direct and Palacios takes it down on his chest.
He runs through on goal and with no pressure this time, is able to poke past Herrick.)
Bobb 77 (THE SUBSTITUTE WITH THE MAGIC TOUCH!
That is outstanding work. King wins the ball high up the pitch off Kante and Bobb picks up the pieces. From there, it's all his own work.
He tiptoes his way into the middle and by the time he shoots there are five West Ham players around him. Yet, he still manages to fire home, much to the delight of Arbeloa.)
Yellow Card: Smith Rowe (68,dis)
Referee:
Gavin Ward (Surrey)
Attendance: 0
Fulham are next in action in the Premier League and welcome Manchester United to Craven Cottage on Sunday 20th September at 16.30. The game will be shown live on Sky Sports