Crysencio Summerville struck in the second half to earn West Ham United F.C. a crucial 1–0 victory over Fulham F.C. at Craven Cottage, ending the Hammers’ 10-match winless run in Premier League evening kick-offs and boosting their survival hopes.

West Ham arrived in west London still reeling from a heavy 5–2 defeat to Liverpool F.C. at the weekend, though that result extended their run of scoring at least two goals in five consecutive matches. They immediately showed attacking intent here, creating a chance inside the opening minute when Taty Castellanos forced Bernd Leno into an early save.

Fulham, meanwhile, struggled to establish a rhythm as they adjusted to the absence of talisman Harry Wilson, who suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s win over Tottenham Hotspur F.C..

The hosts finally produced a clear opportunity in first-half stoppage time when Joshua King worked himself space before unleashing a low shot, but Mads Hermansen stretched out his right boot to keep the effort out.

Just as in the opening period, Leno was quickly called into action after the restart, reacting sharply to tip Tomáš Souček’s header over the crossbar.

Moments later, Fulham thought they had been awarded a penalty after an incident involving Castellanos and Tom Cairney. However, the referee overturned his original decision following a VAR review, which showed Cairney had kicked through the striker rather than being fouled himself.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side quickly moved on from that scare and went close again when Summerville whipped in a dangerous cross that Callum Wilson should have converted at the far post.

Summerville soon showed the clinical edge that had been missing moments earlier. The winger capitalised on a mix-up between Leno and Calvin Bassey before gliding past Sander Berge and curling a composed left-footed finish into the corner, sparking celebrations among the travelling supporters.

Fulham pushed for an equaliser late on, but Hermansen produced a vital save to deny Timothy Castagne and secure all three points for the visitors.

The win lifts West Ham — who sit 18th — to within touching distance of safety, with only goal difference keeping them behind Nottingham Forest F.C. and just one point separating them from Tottenham.

For Marco Silva’s Fulham side, the defeat leaves them 10th in the table and eight points adrift of the top six as their push for European qualification stalls.