Controversial strike helps West Ham push Fulham closer to trapdoor

Fulham were given a helping hand towards relegation by Javier Hernandez as West Ham came from behind to secure a 3-1 victory on Friday.

Hernandez cancelled out Ryan Babel's early strike by jabbing the ball in with his hand the far post.

It was a punch that knocked the stuffing out of Fulham, especially after it was replayed on the big screens to the dismay of the travelling fans.

Referee Lee Mason and his assistants missed it but video technology would have surely seen the goal disallowed.

That will be scant consolation to Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri, though, as his struggling side conceded further goals from Issa Diop and Michail Antonio. The defeat at the London Stadium left the Cottagers eight points adrift of safety with just 11 matches to go and that bleak picture could look even worse after the weekend fixtures. "It's unbelievable. We started very well," Ranieri told Sky Sports.

"They were very dangerous on corners and it was a big pity the referee was covered by players and didn't see the first goal was handball." "I tell my players if we fight, maybe we can win," he added.

"If we don't fight, we have lost before we play. It's important to stay together and continue to try our best."