Fulham earn 1-1 draw at West Ham

Posted Sunday, October 03, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (SE) - Robert Green at last got the better of American tormentor Clint Dempsey as West Ham drew 1-1 with Fulham at Upton Park.

West Ham goalkeeper Green infamously allowed a Dempsey shot to squirm under his body and into the net when England drew with the USA in the World Cup last summer.

Fulham striker Dempsey did manage another, although Green could have done nothing about it, in this Premier League clash.

But Green got a measure of revenge for his South African humiliation when he made a great save to deny Dempsey in the second half in a fiercely fought match.

Draw specialists Fulham have now drawn six Premier League matches this season on the back of Dempsey’s 33rd-minute goal, but Mark Hughes’s team are lacking a ruthless streak.

With Bobby Zamora ruled out by a long term injury, Hughes gave another American, Eddie Johnson a chance in the Fulham attack alongside Dempsey.

Spirited West Ham are slowly improving after a nightmare start and deserved their point.

French striker Frederic Piquionne almost put the Hammers ahead in the ninth minute with a header cleared from the line by Carlos Salcido.

Instead it was Fulham who went ahead when a fine pass from Simon Davies put in Dempsey who beat Green from 12 yards.

West Ham were level in the 51st minute thanks to a rare error by Brede Hangeland which let in Victor Obinna to cross for Piquionne to score.

Green ensured West Ham went home with a point when he saved well from Dempsey and four minutes from time swooped to keep out a goal-bound header from Dickson Etuhu.

In the last minute Diomansy Kamara should have wrapped it up for Fulham when he burst clear but shot wastefully wide with the goal beckoning.

Hughes was the happier of the two managers but is still waiting for his team’s next win.

“There is virtue in drawing but we are just not turning some of them into wins, as we should be.

“But I am not complaining about the way we are playing. We are turning in good performances without getting the proper rewards.

“Any team would miss someone of Zamora’s ability but we have to get used to it because he is not going to be available for some time.

“I was a little disappointed that having taken the lead we did not hold on and the West Ham goal was an error in our defence.”

West Ham boss Avram Grant said: “We are beginning to put together some good results and we are more confident that at the start of the season.

“Green is a very good goalkeeper and I have no doubts about him. I have faith in him.

“Piquionne I knew at Portsmouth and I have always felt that he could score many goal in the Premier League. He is a dangerous player and I expect many more from him.”