Graham Potter says he is building a “foundation of togetherness” at West Ham after a clinical display helped them beat Fulham in the Premier League for his first win as head coach.

The Hammers were outplayed in the opening exchanges as Harry Wilson hit the bar for the visitors, but then the game swung in three first-half minutes.

Having already had a goal disallowed for offside, West Ham went ahead when Carlos Soler capitalised on a loose pass to curl home.

Moments later, a long ball over the top ended in Aaron Wan-Bissaka cutting back for Tomas Soucek to flick into the roof of the net.

Fulham again hit the bar through Raul Jimenez before Alex Iwobi pulled one back, curling all the way in from the left flank as Jimenez put Lukasz Fabianski under pressure.

West Ham’s two-goal advantage was restored when Lucas Paqueta tucked home a loose pass after Danny Ings forced Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno into an error.

Iwobi ensured it was a nervy finish when another cross drifted all the way in.

Fulham had a golden chance to equalise in stoppage time when a cross fell for Adama Traore, but he blazed over the bar from five yards.

“The start point is the foundation of togetherness and the foundation of a team,” Potter told BBC Sport.

“We were far from perfect. But in terms of application of the players and how they fought and suffered, they were really, really, good.

“We have to look at the context of what happened and it’s been a tough week for the players and we have players missing, especially in the forward areas.

“But nevertheless, the team spirit, the team effort and willingness to try were fantastic.”

West Ham climb to 12th – above Manchester United and Tottenham – and 10 points clear of the drop zone.

Fulham, who had been unbeaten in their past eight Premier League games, are ninth.

Source: BBC