Saturday 23 February 2019 08:40, UK
Claudio Ranieri says Fulham need a miracle to avoid playing Championship football next season after their Premier League relegation woes increased with the 3-1 defeat at West Ham.
Ryan Babel scored a third-minute goal amid an early period of dominance for the visitors at the London Stadium but their momentum was halted by a controversial Javier Hernandez equaliser, before further goals from Issa Diop and Michail Antonio.
Hernandez scored from close range with his hand, unseen by the referee, before Diop headed his first Premier League goal from a corner and Antonio's last-minute finish left Fulham eight points adrift of safety.
Fulham's rivals in the battle to avoid the drop could also stretch the gap further over the weekend and Ranieri admits he is concerned by the club's form, with the 4-2 home victory against Brighton last month their only win in eight matches.
"The level of confidence increases when you win and now that's a long time ago," Ranieri said.
"But they train well and this means they believe.
"It will be a miracle, but we must fight together. If you fight you have one chance, if you don't you won't."
Hardly any Fulham players appealed for the handball against Hernandez in the first half and Ranieri only saw the infringement when it was replayed on the big screen - to the dismay of the travelling contingent.
"It was a big pity with the goal, the referee was covered," the Italian added.
"I hope with the VAR next season it will be better.
"I didn't see but I watched it on the screen. Maybe also the other players didn't see it and maybe of the West Ham players only Chicharito (Hernandez) knew the truth."
