Lukasz Fabianski's head injury overshadows West Ham's win over Southampton

Ivan Juric's Southampton got a losing start to their season when Jarrod Bowen of West Ham scored his 100th league goal. In Ivan Juric's first game since taking Russell Martin's place, the Saints got off to a good start but failed to score. In addition to replacing Carlos Soler with Edson Alvarez at halftime, the Hammers lost goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and defender Max Kilman to injuries in the first half.

West Ham United sprang to break the stalemate via England striker Bowen as Juric's promised energy dipped. While Fabianski was being treated on the pitch at St. Mary's Stadium, the game was postponed for around eight minutes. After being injured in a corner clash, the 39-year-old Polish goalie was replaced in the 36th minute by Alphonse Areola. 

Aaron Ramsdale, Southampton's goalie, had rushed the entire field to see how Fabianski was doing amid alarming moments. Then Fabiaski was removed to a round of applause. Tomas Soucek headed the ball back across goal, and Niclas Fullkrug could flip it on so that Bowen, 28, could poke it in from close range. Despite Southampton's comeback, West Ham's victory and eighth point from the last twelve games was secured by a single goal. 

Łukasz Fabiański zderzył się głową z Nathanem Woodem. Zawodnik Southampton otrzymał żółtą kartkę, a polski bramkarz przez siedem minut nie podnosił się z murawy. Polak opuścił murawę na noszach! Nie wiadomo jeszcze, co dokładnie stało się Polakowi. pic.twitter.com/FS60gphFtU

— Sportowe Newsy (@sportowenewsypl) December 26, 2024

Michail Antonio missed the game due to a car accident

In contrast, the hosts have lost 14 of their last 18 league games and are still six points from the down of the Premier League standings. For most of the season, West Ham has been without Fullkrug, who was signed in the summer, while Michail Antonio may be out for some time due to a car accident.

Fullkrug made only his second Premier League appearance and performed better than he did against Brighton the last time. The Hammers may have made the end easier with substitutes, Crysencio Summerville and Mohammed Kudus coming close, but Fullkrug lasted 68 minutes this time, marking another phase in the German striker's recuperation.