The Hammers nearly went in front inside 30 seconds, as Jarrod Bowen set up Valentin Castellanos on the edge of the area, but his effort was kept out by Bernd Leno.

West Ham continued to threaten at times on the counter-attack, with Castellanos turning provider for Bowen on this occasion, but the England international was forced onto his weaker right foot and blazed over.

A much-changed Fulham created very little in the first half, though it did go close on the stroke of half-time as a brilliant first touch from Josh King created space for the shot inside the area, but he was kept out by Mads Hermansen.

The home side was awarded a penalty in the first few minutes of the second half after Tom Cairney went down in the area after a coming-together with Castellanos, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.

West Ham looked the livelier of the two sides as the game stretched open, with Crysencio Summerville's whipped cross evading both Callum Wilson and Tomas Soucek from just yards out.

However, a mix-up between Leno and Calvin Bassey resulted in Bowen nipping in and finding the Dutchman, who slotted home with ease.

Fulham struggled to create opportunities after falling behind, though Hermansen was called into action to deny a fine effort from Timothy Castagne with little time remaining.