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Fulham fell deeper into relegation trouble with a 3-1 Premier League defeat by West Ham United at London Stadium on Friday.
Claudio Ranieri's 19th place took an ideal start, taking advantage in the third minute. Former Liverpool striker Ryan Babel scored at close range after missing a golden opportunity.
There was controversy about West Ham's equalizer when Mexican striker Javier Hernandez leaned closer to close but the replays suggested that the ball had escaped him from the arm.
Issa Diop's first goal in the Premier League, whose lead was five minutes from the break, put West Ham in charge and, although Fulham produced a decent football after the break, they rarely threatened.
Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini made their returns to West Ham as substitutes.
But it was only at stoppage that the Hammers ensured victory as Michail Antonio headed powerfully to the center of Arnautovic.
Hernandez, who has not scored since Dec. 8, is the first Mexican player to score 50 goals in the Premier League, reaching that record in 150 games.
Unsurprisingly, Ranieri was unhappy with West Ham's equalizer.
"We created very good chances and it was a pity that the referee did not see handball.VAR is very important for next season," said the Italian.
"But we never give in. We are now focusing on the next game, and it is important to recover energy and psychology very quickly.
"I change so many times, five at the back, four, to try to find a solution.But when the other teams have more quality and experience, it is very difficult. to try to find the solution, "he said.
West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini admitted that Hernandez's goal should have been ruled out.
"From my position, I could not see the handball, I've seen it since and it's handball, nobody saw it very clearly at the time, there was I did not think the goal decided the match, "he said.
"It was really a shame for the goal, the referee was covered," added Pellegrini. "I hope the VAR will be better next season, I did not see it, but I watched it on the screen, maybe the other players did not see it." Have not seen, and maybe West Ham players are the only ones who know the truth.
"Now, football is so fast and there are so many players in the box, for the referee, it's very difficult to watch everything, so VAR could be better." It's important in England to have VAR to help the referee. "
Former West Ham defenseman Matthew Upson told BBC Radio that Hernandez had used his arm deliberately.
"It's an intentional handball, Hernandez knew what he was doing," Upson said.
It was the fifth goal of the season for Hernandez. He scored 37 Premier League goals for Manchester United between 2010 and 2014 before being loaned to Real Madrid for a season. After two seasons in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, Hernandez returned to England with West Ham in 2017.
Reuters information has been used in this report.
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