West Ham player ratings - 'Bull in china shop' 3/10 but 'saviour' 8 in cagey Fulham draw

A resilient Fulham outfit proved a tough nut to crack for West Ham but Julen Lopetegui’s side found late salvation to take a point from the banks of the Thames.

Both London sides looked fresh from the international break with end-to-end action in the opening 10 minutes. Tomas Soucek couldn't make the most of a move made possible by some neat Michail Antonio footwork while a careless Edson Alvarez gifted Andreas Pereira the chance to fire a feeble shot from distance at the other end.

Tempers at the Cottage flared early as the blistering Adama Traore burst past the Hammers' back line and into the penalty box, only to go to ground with Max Kilman breathing down his neck. Fulham boss Marco Silva led the protestations, and saw yellow for his antics, as VAR deemed the coming together to not be clear and obvious.

Spurred on by the injustice, the hosts forced Hammers backs against the wall with a breakthrough coming via a Raul Jimenez tap in after Emile Smith-Rowe made a clever run through the visitors' defence.

Julen Lopetegui turned to the bench at half time with Crysencio Summerville and Lucas Paqueta coming on to breathe new life into the Hammers’ frontline - the former managing an immediate impact as he skipped through the Fulham defence and was brought down by Sasa Lukic, a yellow card ensuing.

With Jarrod Bowen down the middle, West Ham were invigorated by the changes. The England international soon found himself with a half chance in the box and caused Joachim Andersen problems.

It was Bowen who helped forge a late equaliser for the Hammers, cutting back into the path of Danny Ings, who tucked home deep into injury time.

Here’s how the West Ham players rated against Fulham.

GK - Alphonse Areola - 6

Fulham dominated large parts but didn’t really cause the shot-stopper too many problems. Will be frustrated by the comedy of errors in front of him for the home side’s goal.

LB - Emerson - 5

Had a physicality mismatch in the battle with Adama Traore. Picked up an injury in the second half and couldn’t shake it off before being replaced by Vladimir Coufal.

CB - Max Kilman - 6

Looked assured early on when dealing with Adama and enjoyed an early burst forward from defence. Perhaps lucky not to have been penalised for clipping the winger in the penalty box in the first half.

CB - Konstantinos Mavropanos - 6

Could have been more alert for the Jimenez goal but won’t shoulder the most guilt for that.

RB - Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 5

Was wary of Alex Iwobi and rightfully so, struggling to push forwards from defence himself. Looked relieved when switched to the left, not that keeping track of an inspired Adama was done that convincingly.

CDM - Edson Alvarez - 3

Not the midfielder’s finest day. Sloppy early on and didn’t really manage to shake that despite enthusiasm - somewhat of a bull in a china shop. A misplaced pass early on presented Pereira with a decent opportunity and Alvarez was ghosted past by Smith-Rowe ahead of Jimenez’s goal. Booked in the second half for a nasty challenge on Andersen.

CDM - Guido Rodriguez - 4

A promising start to the game with some of his neatest work in a West Ham shirt but went on to look a little slow as Fulham dominance grew. Made a lunging tackle on Adama in the second half and saw yellow, being substituted seconds later. Still a little off Premier League pace.

LW - Mohammed Kudus - 7

Was West Ham’s biggest threat for large spells. Lopetegui’s side struggled to play out from the back and Kudus’ pace and directness proved the only real out ball. Moved onto the right flank when Summerville came on.

CAM - Tomas Soucek - 5

Seemed to have been given plenty of freedom by Lopetegui but was only able to try and express that in the first 15 minutes before Fulham became dominant. Had the chance to get a shot off early on but fumbled his feet. Subbed at half-time.

RW - Jarrod Bowen - 6

Struggled to get himself involved on the flank in the first half but much more of a threat through the middle in the second half. Perhaps not his usual diligent self with the defensive work but Mr Reliable again as he helped set up the leveller.

ST - Michail Antonio - 6

A couple nice moments, particularly nimble to poke through Soucek early but not there as a viable out ball and subbed at the break.

SUB - Lucas Paqueta - 7

Injected much needed quality with a few dangerous balls into the box. West Ham are a better side with him in the XI.

SUB - Crysencio Summerville - 8

Almost an immediate impact from the bench, the winger turned in a busybody performance as he tried to make something happen for West Ham.

SUB - Vlaidmir Coufal - 7

The full-back’s maturity did sure up the right side of the Hammers defence and was alert enough to make the quick throw in ahead of Ings’ goal.

SUB - Carlos Soler - 5

Came on clearly keen to make an impact but not too influential in the closing stages.

SUB - Danny Ings - 8

Had little time to make an impact off the bench, amid talk of greater playing minutes, but did what he was asked to do by finding a leveller. The Hammers’ saviour today.