West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo described his side’s 1-0 victory over Fulham as a “special night” after the result boosted the club’s Premier League survival hopes.
Crysencio Summerville scored the decisive goal at Craven Cottage, continuing an impressive scoring run that has helped revive West Ham’s season.
The win moves the Hammers level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest and leaves them just one point behind Tottenham, tightening the battle to avoid relegation.
Nuno Espirito Santo praises West Ham performance
Speaking after the match, Nuno emphasised how difficult it is to secure a result at Fulham and praised his players’ determination throughout the contest.
“It’s a special night because we did a good game in a tough, tough stadium against a very good team, with a good manager and fantastic players. We know how hard it is to come here and achieve a result. That’s what pleases us the most.” — Nuno Espirito Santo
The West Ham manager also stressed that the team must maintain focus despite the important victory.
“We don’t measure belief. We always have belief, we always have hope. What we need is improvement. Today was a big day for us, but the situation never changed. It requires a lot more from all of us.” — Nuno Espirito Santo
Crysencio Summerville continues impressive scoring run
Summerville delivered the crucial moment midway through the second half when he capitalised on a defensive error from Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
The German rushed out of his penalty area but failed to clear the ball properly, allowing Summerville to calmly finish into an empty net.
| Stat (Recent Form) | Crysencio Summerville |
|---|---|
| Goals in last 10 matches | 7 |
| Match-winning goal vs Fulham | Yes |
| Competition | Premier League |
| Club | West Ham United |
source: sofascore match data – 5 March 2026
Nuno praised the winger’s composure in front of goal and highlighted the confidence currently driving his performances.
“He’s being very important and I think he kept his composure in that moment just to do a pass into the goal. He’s in a good moment and full of confidence.” — Nuno Espirito Santo
West Ham resilience key to crucial victory
While Summerville provided the decisive moment, West Ham’s defensive resilience also proved vital.
Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen produced several important saves, including stops from Josh King during the first half and Emile Smith Rowe deep into stoppage time.
Having followed West Ham’s recent matches, their improved defensive organisation has been noticeable in recent weeks. However, it remains too early to conclude whether this run of form will be enough to secure safety.
Key Insights
- West Ham defeated Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage.
- Crysencio Summerville scored the decisive goal.
- The winger now has seven goals in his last 10 matches.
- West Ham moved level on points with Nottingham Forest.
- The relegation battle now includes several teams close together.
What’s Next?
West Ham will look to build on this momentum as they enter the final weeks of the Premier League campaign.
With several teams still fighting to avoid relegation, each result could prove decisive in determining who remains in the division.
Maintaining defensive discipline and continuing to capitalise on attacking opportunities will be crucial for Nuno’s side in the coming fixtures.
Can West Ham maintain this momentum and secure their top-flight status?
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