Nuno Espirito Santo had West Ham fans fuming again with his team selection for the must-win game against Fulham and one star helped prove their point in a devastating 1-0 defeat.

The Hammers went into the home game against the Cottagers knowing only a win would do in their battle to stay in the Premier League.

With just three wins all season, West Ham know they have to win

West Ham survived a couple of hairy moments, when Alphonse Areola was forced into two saves from distance after strikes by Harry Wilson and Joachim Andersen.

Jarrod Bowen – who else? – went close for West Ham with an effort that was tipped onto the post while Ollie Scarles wasted a good opportunity.

It would not be Scarles’ most telling mistake of the game, however.

Scarles shocker cost West Ham dear but others to blame

Crysencio Summerville has come in for criticism over his lack of end product for the Hammers.

And it is easy to see why as he hit a scruffy effort wide before mis-controlling the ball in the box when a better first touch would have opened up a shot on goal.

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In the second half, West Ham upped the tempo after an early fright when Scarles almost gifted Fulham an easy goal by getting caught under a long diagonal ball.

Summerville wasted a great chance while Lucas Paqueta got a couple of shots off after switching to a more central role when Callum Wilson came on.

Summerville looked disappointed to come off but could have no real complaints after another underwhelming display from a player many held high hopes for.

The Hammers looked a much better side going forward with a proper striker in Wilson up top.

That begs the question why he didn’t start because West Ham had much better flow and rhythm after Wilson’s introduction.

Soungoutou Magassa was a growing influence on the game after the break and showed his ability on both sides of the ball.

Driving into the box, Magassa twice crossed for Bowen, who put a second effort just wide of the post when everyone expected it to nestle in the net.

Having Wilson on opened up the game for Bowen and West Ham looked much more dangerous as a result.

Wilson makes Nuno look utterly foolish

So much so that it felt like a wasted first half from Nuno tactically.

Especially given the Hammers were up against a depleted Fulham without arguably their three best players.

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West Ham fans were left asking why Wilson did not start when he was found by Paqueta, broke free and shot just wide.

He was played in again by Bowen and fired over which had fans wondering what might have been had he had the first half to get his eye in.

To start a home game of this importance, against a depleted team, with no bona fide striker was risky.

But Wilson made Nuno look utterly foolish for that call.

At the end of the day West Ham simply had to win this game and even a draw would have been a bad result..

So to lose leaves West Ham needing a miracle to stay up.

And it came from a woeful Scarles mistake as he gifted the ball to Wilson with an amateurish attempt at a clearance and the Welsh winger crossed for Raul Jimenez to nod home.

To come away from the match feeling that would have been different had Wilson started, means this one is on the manager.

And the concerns over Scarles filling in for El Hadji Malick Diouf look well founded.

West Ham player ratings vs Fulham:

Alphonse Areola, 8/10: Once again West Ham’s best player as he made crucial saves to give the team the platform to secure the win.

Kyle Walker-Peters, 8/10: Solid and got up and down well. Was one of West Ham’s better players.

Jean-Clair Todibo, 6/10: Needlessly booked for kicking the ball away in the first half which then left him walking a tight-rope. Switched off too many times and was out of position when Scarles gave the ball away for the winner.

Max Kilman, 7/10: Better than he has been of late and won some important challenges to spring counter-attacks but ultimately another game without a clean sheet for the Hammers.

Ollie Scarles, 3/10: Scarles has struggled when given chances this year after initially impressing under Graham Potter. But he looked much better in the first half against Fulham, winning a couple of crunching tackles and going close to scoring. He made a woeful error at the start of the second half, though, and that set the tone for what was to follow. Scarles twice got caught crossfield passes from which Fulham should have scored. Then when he made his third mistake late on, it did cost his team dear. But this defeat is on the owners and manager not a young Academy kid most feel may not be up to it at Premier League level. After all he doesn’t pick the team and there had been warning signs he was going to cost his team before ultimately doing just that.

Freddie Potts, 7/10: Probably West Ham’s best outfield player in the first half, Freddie Potts was aggressive and looking to win the ball back at every opportunity. That enabled him to launch a number of counter-attacks which West Ham failed to take advantage of. Quieter second half.

Soungoutou Magassa, 7.5/10: Another excellent showing from the young Frenchman, who is fast becoming a mainstay in the side. A real driving force on both sides of the ball, a true midfield monster. Should have registered an assist when Bowen shot wide. It will be a travesty if West Ham are forced to sell the likes of Magassa and Mateus Fernandes due to relegation.

Mateus Fernandes, 6/10: The Portuguese was tidy on the ball but did not have the kind of impact West Ham need in games of this magnitude. Still one of the side’s better players, offering energy and effort.

Lucas Paqueta, 5/10: Playing out on the right in the first half, Lucas Paqueta struggled to make an impact on the game – although there was nothing new there. It is now over 55 Premier League games since Paqueta registered an assist. Subbed off due to his lack of impact once more.

Crysencio Summerville, 4/10: Another really poor showing from the player many felt would be key to West Ham rising up the table. The worst thing about this performance from the Dutchman was his apparent lack of desire and interest as well as end product. Although he had just started getting into the game when he was subbed off, Summerville wasted a host of good opportunities in the box, taking far too many touches, waiting too long or mis-controlling the ball to see the chance go begging.

Jarrod Bowen, 7.5/10: Huffed, puffed and tried his best but looks exhausted and utterly fed up. If Bowen is close to giving up then you know it is over.

Subs:

Callum Wilson, 7/10: Made a major positive impact on the game but the big question was why he did not start. Should have had a goal.

Earthy, Soucek, N/A: Not on long enough to make an impact.