Euro finalists Fulham defeat Hammers

Fulham maintained the feelgood factor from their fairytale run to the Europa League final by beating West Ham 3-2 at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Roy Hodgson’s side booked a place in their first European final, against Atletico Madrid on May 12, by beating Hamburg on Thursday and the champagne corks had barely stopped popping by the time they returned to action three days later.

There was no European hangover though as Clint Dempsey put the hosts ahead before Carlton Cole’s own goal doubled their lead.

Cole reduced the deficit three minutes later but Fulham’s Stefano Okaka struck late on before Guillermo Franco hit a last-minute consolation for the Hammers.

Hodgson was without leading scorer Bobby Zamora as the striker rests an Achilles problem and the Cottagers boss also opted to leave Zoltan Gera on the bench after his winner against Hamburg.

With West Ham safe from relegation and Fulham still bathing in the warm afterglow of their Europa League triumph, there was little edge to this London derby.

Dempsey almost put Erik Nevland clear midway through the first half but the former Manchester United striker couldn’t get to the ball ahead of Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green.

It took a fine stop from Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to keep out Mark Noble’s long-range effort as West Ham mounted a rare attack.

Dempsey was desperately close to opening the scoring when his superb turn and shot from 20 yards struck the bar and went over.

Gianfranco Zola’s side had a brief flurry of pressure when Manuel Da Costa forced Schwarzer into two fine saves in quick succession.

But it was Fulham who broke the deadlock in first half stoppage time as American forward Dempsey ran onto a pass from Simon Davies and fired past Green.

The hosts increased their lead in the 58th minute when Chris Baird hit a powerful shot that looked to be going wide until it smashed off the shoulder of Cole and into the net.

Cole made amends for that own goal when he headed home a free-kick from Scott Parker to reduce the deficit just three minutes later.

West Ham’s only hope of a point was to throw men forward and Cole tried his luck from 20 yards but his low drive was straight at Schwarzer.

But Okaka struck with a close-range finish in the 79th minute after Nevland robbed Jonathan Spector and crossed to the on-loan Roma forward.

Franco made Fulham sweat for a few moments with his strike from Scott Parker’s pass in the 90th minute but the hosts had done enough.