Crysencio Summerville was instrumental again for West Ham in their crucial 1-0 victory over Fulham, a result that significantly impacts the Premier League relegation battle.
The in-form Dutch winger capitalised on a significant error from Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno to net his seventh goal in his last 10 appearances.
This vital win at Craven Cottage propelled the Hammers level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, leaving them in the relegation zone only by virtue of goal difference.
The outcome also draws Tottenham Hotspur deeper into the fight, with West Ham and Forest now just a single point behind them. West Ham had shown early attacking intent, with Jarrod Bowen setting up Taty Castellanos for a shot that Leno saved within the first minute.
England World Cup hopeful Bowen was then teed up by Castellanos, but his shot was deflected wide, while the Hammers captain sliced another half chance well off target.
Fulham, hunting for a third straight win but without nine-goal winger Harry Wilson due to an ankle injury, looked to Josh King for inspiration and twice the teenager was denied by last-ditch interceptions from Axel Disasi and Tomas Soucek.
Alex Iwobi saw a couple of long-range efforts saved by Mads Hermansen before, on the stroke of half-time, the Hammers keeper stuck out a leg to divert King’s snap-shot behind.
West Ham almost broke the deadlock seconds after the restart but Leno superbly tipped a Soucek header over the crossbar.
At the other end, there was a moment of mild controversy when Fulham were awarded a penalty by referee Matthew Donohue for a foul on Tom Cairney.
However, a VAR review clearly showed the Fulham skipper had kicked the calf of Castellanos and, after a quick trip to the screen, Dononue reversed his decision.
The visitors were building up a head of steam, though, and Leno had to be on his toes to prevent a Samuel Chukwueze own goal before Callum Wilson and Soucek just failed to get on the end of Summerville’s cross at the far post.
Fulham almost snatched the lead when Iwobi’s cross found substitute Emile Smith Rowe at the far post, but his finish was poor.
And moments later Leno suffered his rush of blood, charging out of his area to intercept a through-ball only to gift it to Bowen.
Bowen tapped the ball to Summerville, who steadied himself before finishing into an empty net.
Fulham, still in with a shout of a European place, tried to hit back but Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz both fired narrowly over and Hermansen made a fine save in stoppage time to deny Smith Rowe as West Ham held on for what could be a critical victory.
