Oscar Bobb’s solo strike settles five-goal thriller as Fulham beat West Ham

Fulham booked their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after Oscar Bobb’s brilliant individual effort earned a hard-fought 3-2 win over West Ham at the London Stadium.

The Norwegian was summoned from the bench by Alvaro Arbeloa with his side chasing the winning goal, and it took him less than 10 minutes to deliver, a lovely jinking run through the home side’s defence before finishing inside the near post.

Both managers fielded strong line-ups in east London and it was a competitive cup tie that saw the Hammers more than hold their own against Premier League opposition, albeit four of the starting XI had played for Nuno Espirito Santo during their relegation season.

Rodrigo Muniz headed in for Fulham in the 13th minute before a quick response from Morato brought West Ham level.

The impressive Palaciois restored the lead with a classy goal, controlling with his chest after being found by Joachim Andersen’s long ball, and then scoring with a lovely finish beyond keeper Finlay Herrick.

Emile Smith Rowe should then have made it 3-1 but miskicked after being found unmarked by Robinson’s cross.

And Fulham were pegged back again in the final moments of the first half. Kyle Walker-Peters’ low cross was flicked towards goal by Mohamadou Kante, and after keeper Benjamin Leconte dived to his right and parried, Pablo tucked away the loose ball.

Fulham came under pressure in the second half – and Mavropanos missed a great chance to put the Championship side ahead when he headed wide from close range.

In the end, a triple substitution by Alvaro Arbeloa made all the difference.

The Whites boss rolled the dice, sending on Bobb, Josh King and Gonzalo Garcia, and it worked.

King nicked the ball off Kante, and Bobb then delightfully jinked his way into the box and slotted into the net.

There should have been a third Hammers equaliser. After being set up by Jarrod Bowen, Taty Castellanos looked certain to score, but his finish was overly casual and Timothy Castagne was able to clear off the line.