Evening Standard
·14 Januari 2025
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Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·14 Januari 2025
Hammers emerged victorious in an entertaining London derby on Tuesday night
Graham Potter welcomed his first win at West Ham but admitted the performance was “far from” what he wants to see long-term.
The Hammers won their first home match under Potter as they beat Fulham 3-2 at the London Stadium on Tuesday night.
Victory moved West Ham up to 12th in the Premier League, but Potter insisted his team have plenty of improvement ahead of them.
“Very, very happy with the result,” he said. “The performance was one of high effort and high togetherness. Far from perfect in terms of how we want to be in the long-term. We started passively. We changed that halfway through the first half. Lots to do, but great start.
“The work ethic from all the players has been absolutely top. I can’t ask for any more.
“In terms of a team effort, we wanted to attack together and defend together. The players have just tried to take on board what we have asked them to be. They’re not going to be perfect and I don’t expect them to be. The three points helps.”
Graham Potter celebrates with the West Ham players at full-time.
Getty Images
Lucas Paqueta started as a False 9 against Fulham, with Danny Ings the only fit out-and-out striker at the club while Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkurg are injured.
West Ham are in the market for a striker this month, but Potter acknowledged he must make do with the options at his disposal in the meantime.
“If we don’t, it’s my responsibility to try and find solutions with the players we have,” he said.
“If we can find the player that can help the team, help us improve, we will also do that.”