The FA have delivered a huge boost for West Ham’s survival hopes after confirming a double Fulham ban ahead of this weekend’s clash.
West Ham may have picked up a vital win over Southampton at the weekend but every game now is huge as the Hammers fight for Premier League survival.
During the international break Hammers News pointed out that West Ham could save their season by picking up seven points in six days against Southampton, Newcastle and Fulham.
It was a case of job done on the first part thanks to the 1-0 win over Saints.
Now West Ham’s focus turns to Newcastle on Wednesday night before a short trip to Fulham on Saturday.
When Fulham played Man United in the FA Cup before the break the game ended in chaos.
Fulham star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was sent off for pushing the referee while Willian and manager Marco Silva were also given their marching orders.
As we reported at the time, Mitrovic’s red card meant he would definitely miss the West Ham clash as it would be a minimum three-game ban as standard.
Hammers News predicted the punishment would be more like six to eight games, though.
We also highlighted that Silva could be absent on the touchline for the Hammers clash as the FA mulled their punishments.
And so it has proved.
The FA have delivered a huge boost for West Ham’s survival hopes after confirming a double Fulham ban ahead of our clash.
In a lengthy statement the Football Association confirmed it is banning Mitrovic for eight games while Silva has received a two-game touchline ban.
That means the Portuguese will not be in the dugout for the West Ham match this weekend.
David Moyes will be hoping to take advantage. Although the last two times West Ham faced teams without their managers on the touchline – Spurs and Brighton away – they lost both.
Mitrovic is a huge miss for Fulham, as evidenced by their 2-1 defeat to West Ham’s relegation rivals at the weekend.
If West Ham can get a positive result against Newcastle, there is no reason the Hammers cannot go to Craven Cottage and win.
After all we are playing a side without their manager and star player. And a club now very much in no man’s land with no danger of going down and probably incapable of getting the goals needed to challenge for a European spot.
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