H-T West Ham 0-1 Fulham: Dempsey beats Green again

A battered and bruised Clint Dempsey came back to haunt Robert Green once more with a left-foot strike which separated West Ham and Fulham in a scrappy encounter at Upton Park.

Green may have failed to handle Dempsey's weak shot for England in the World Cup three months ago but he was almost powerless to stop the forward's 12-yard volley in the 33rd minute.

Dempsey had to have treatment for what he claimed was an elbow from Manuel da Costa but referee Andre Marriner, who dished out three yellow cards in an otherwise dull first half, disagreed.

West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer was left out of Avram Grant's starting XI through illness.

Pablo Barrera came in for the winger in a West Ham starting XI that was otherwise unchanged from the side that picked up their first league win over Tottenham last week.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes made two changes to the team that drew 0-0 against Everton, with Chris Baird replacing Stephen Kelly at right-back and Eddie Johnson coming for Zoltan Gera to partner Clint Dempsey in an all-American strike partnership.

Robert Green was coming face to face with Dempsey for the first time since the United States international humiliated him at the World Cup 112 days ago.

The American wasted little time in testing Green from long range but his weak effort curled wide.

The shot came moments after Dempsey was hauled down on the halfway line by Danny Gabbidon, who entered referee Andre Marriner's notebook for the challenge.

Frederic Piquionne, preferred to England striker Carlton Cole after scoring last week's winner, then drew a goal-line clearance from Carlos Salcido with a powerful header.

It was Fulham, though, who had most of the early possession. Duff, who had earlier received treatment for a cut above the eye, fired just wide from 25 yards in the 10th minute.

The Republic of Ireland winger then had to change his shirt for the second time after blood trickled from his brow.

West Ham started to hit back and Mark Schwarzer had to be quick off his line to beat Piquionne to the ball after Mark Noble had split the Fulham back line.

A brave sliding tackle from Dickson Etuhu on Nigeria team-mate Victor Obinna prevented the striker from shooting from 20 yards.

Dempsey was left with a large bump near his eye after an aerial challenge with Manuel da Costa. He complained he had been elbowed by the defender but Marriner allowed play to continue.

Dempsey linked well with Johnson, who was starting his first game of the season, before the striker fired over Green's crossbar.

Danny Murphy's lofted ball over the top set Johnson free but he went down under pressure in the box from Lars Jacobsen but Marriner failed to give a penalty, much to the annoyance of Hughes.

A smile could be seen on the Welshman's face moments later when Dempsey was played in over the top by Simon Davies, before despatching a left-foot volley past Green from 12 yards to put Fulham 1-0 up.

Dickson Etuhu picked up a booking for a late challenge on Parker, who had received a yellow a few minutes earlier for a clumsy hack on Dempsey.

Obinna fired wide after nutmegging Etuhu as the Hammers looked to equalise quickly.