Good afternoon and thank you for joining Sports Mole for live text commentary of the Premier League match between Fulham and West Ham United at Craven Cottage.

Today’s match could prove vital in the prospects of either side staying up. Fulham are 18th in the table, just a single place above West Ham. Fulham’s poor run of form has seen Martin Jol lose his job and West Ham manager Sam Allardyce must be under a huge amount of pressure to guide his side out of the relegation zone.

These two sides met just a few weeks ago, and on that occasion West Ham ran out 3-0 winners. Mohamed Diame, Carlton Cole and Joe Cole all scored in the second half to claim three points at Upton Park.

FULHAM XI: Stockdale, Riether, Amorebieta, Senderos, Riise, Duff, Parker, Sidwell, Richardson, Taarabt, Berbatov

WEST HAM XI: Jaaskelainen, McCartney, Nolan, Collison, Taylor, Noble, O'Brien, Diarra, Demel, Diame, Maiga

FULHAM SUBS: Kasami, Kacaniklic, Hughes, Dejagah, Bent, Bettinelli, Dembele

WEST HAM SUBS: Adrian, Jarvis, Rat, Downing. C.Cole, J.Cole, Potts

Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen makes seven changes from the team that lost against Hull City. Sascha Riether, Philippe Senderos, Scott Parker,Damien Duff, Kieran Richardson, Adel Taarabt and Dimitar Berbatov all start. Loan signing Clint Dempsey is not available for the Londoners this afternoon.

West Ham make six changes, bringing Guy Demel, Alou Diarra, Matthew Taylor, Jack Collison and Modibo Maiga into the starting lineup replacing Razvan Rat, James Tomkins, Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Matt Jarvis.

During their last match, Fulham suffered an embarrassing 6-0 defeat against Hull City at the KC Stadium. They will be looking to bounce back with a win in front of their home fans, and must not forget their late 2-1 victory on Boxing Day against Norwich City.

Heading into this game, West Ham are currently the least in form side in the league. They have lost four of their last six league games.

Fulham are in equally poor form, and despite recent wins over Aston Villa and Norwich City, they have lost nine of their past 11 games in the Premier League.

A real problem for Fulham has been their poor defensive record. They have conceded 41 goals so far this season, which is an alarming nine higher than the 32 goals Sunderland and Norwich have leaked.

West Ham haven't been good at the back, having let in 28 goals in the league, but it is their lack of goals that has really cost them, with only 18 goals scored in their 19 games. Fulham have fared only slightly better, finding the net 19 times this season.

UPDATE: In this afternoon's early Premier League kickoff, Manchester City have beaten Swansea City 3-2 at the Liberty Stadium to reclaim top spot in the league. They will stay top unless Arsenal claim a win during their match against Cardiff City later today.

The managers of each team will want to address their problems in front of goal, with the January transfer window now open, as Berbatov and Cole are the two teams top goalscorers with just three apiece.

PREDICTION: Fulham will be desperate to get back on track following their big defeat last time out and the players will want to right a few wrongs this afternoon. West Ham played well during their win over West Bromwich Albion, but their defence has leaked far too many goals recently. I think the home side will win this game 2-1.

REFEREE: Mark Clattenburg is in charge of proceedings this afternoon.

There is not too much longer left to wait for the first London derby of the New Year, and fans of both teams will be hoping for a bright start to 2014.

The players are out on the pitch and kick off is just moments away.

KICKOFF! We are underway at Craven Cottage!

Fulham take the kick off and give the ball away, with Maiga latching onto it, but his attempt from long range is poorly struck and fails to trouble the goal.

The hosts look threatening early on and Berbatov finds Duff down the right hand side, before he cuts in and sees his low cross cleared away by the defence.

Fulham look especially dangerous down that right hand side, and Riether whips in a fine low ball to Berbatov, who puts it over the bar. It wouldn't of counted had it gone in though, as he the flag was raised.

Berbatov is caught offside for a second time as Richardson plays a long ball over the top. It was a tight decision though and the striker will feel unlucky.

Despite the home side's positive start, the visitors have taken the lead! Jaaskelainen takes a long free kick which falls kindly to Diame inside of the box, and he takes a touch, before hammering a low drive past Stockdale.

What a difference a goal makes! West Ham are full of confidence, and Taylor whips in a fantastic ball, that is just too long for Maiga to latch onto.

Riether has already looked dangerous when crossing from the right, and his latest delivery is inch perfect, but none of his teammates are on hand to take a chance and get on the end of it, and it goes wide of the post.

Fulham win a corner it is delivered to the back post for Diame, but he cannot get his head over the ball and gets a slight flick as it drifts out of play.

Fulham will have a free kick in a dangerous position, around 25 yards out from goal, after Diarra brings down Parker.

Taarabt takes the set piece, but it takes a deflection of the wall and loops kindly into the arms of Jaaskelainen.

CHANCE! Riise has scored some wonderful goals in his career, and comes close to another here. A loose ball is cleared away by the West Ham defence, and he thunders in a left footed strike that goes just wide of the top right hand corner.

The Hammers put together a lovely passing move on the edge of the Fulham box, but the final ball through sees Maiga standing in an offside position.

It is Fulham's turn to keep possession in the final third, but after a number of short passes, Taarabt is caught offside as Berbatov attempts a killer pass.

CHANCE! West Ham come close to doubling their lead. Fulham give the ball away and it is played to Diame who delivers a fine cross to the back post for Nolan, but his header is well saved by Stockdale.

Taarabt bursts through the midfield and reaches the edge of the area, but his shot lacks any real power and trickles through to the keeper.

CHANCE! Fulham work the ball well around their midfield and play it wide to Riise, who delivers a first time cross into the middle for Berbatov. The striker tries to flick the ball past the keeper, but it ends up safely in the hands of Jaaskelainen.

Fulham have looked positive in the past few minutes, and Parker goes on a great run, weaving his way through a couple of challenges before winning a corner.

CHANCE! The set piece is whipped into the middle and Amorebieta wins his header, but sees it cleared off the line by Maiga.

Fulham win another corner as Duff does well to get to the byline. They will take heart from their last set piece and will want to put West Ham under pressure again.

Before the kick is taken, West Ham might have to make a change, as Noble is receiving treatment on what looks like an ankle injury.

SUBSTITUTION: West Ham are forced into the change, as Noble can't play on, with Rat replacing him.

Fulham had a header cleared off the line from their last corner, but they have scored from this one! Duff takes the set piece and Sidwell rises highest in the box to power home a header.

OFF THE POST! The home side nearly take the lead as the ball is cleared to Taarabt on the edge of the box, but he sees his low effort come back off the post.

Fulham's fans will be delighted at what they have seen from their side in this half, especially since falling behind so early on. Their response has been positive and they look the favourites to get a second goal.

Taarabt is enjoying himself now and picks up the ball in the centre of midfield, before driving towards goal and powering in a long range effort, that is blocked by the defence.

Fulham win a free kick wide on the right and play it deep into the box. It falls to Amorebieta at the back post, and he sees his strike blocked for a corner.

CHANCE! Duff delivers another great corner, and Senderos meets it, but his headed effort is cleared away by Nolan.

Fulham may be on top, but West Ham look a real threat when they pump long balls high into the box. They are winning all of the challenges with the Fulham centre backs and may see it as their best chance of scoring.

RED CARD! Nolan is sent off for West Ham! He kicks out at Amorebieta off the ball, and is shown a straight red by the referee. That will have a huge impact on the game and his manager will be furious with him.

There are going to be two minutes of stoppage time at the end of the half.

What an eventful first half it has been at Craven Cottage! West Ham took the lead early on through Diame's goal, but a header from Sidwell has drawn them level. To make matters worse for the Hammers, they will have to play the next 45 minutes with 10 men after Nolan received his marching orders. I'm sure there will be plenty more action and big incidents to come after the half time break!

A look at the half time stats show that the home side have been dominant throughout. They have had a massive 68% of the possession and have had 13 shots on goal to West Ham's six. With their man advantage, I would expect them to have even more of the ball and the incentive is surely on them to take the game to West Ham and get all three points today.

Nolan will look back on that sending off and feel that he let his team down. He lashed out at Amorebieta for no reason and Clattenburg had no choice but to dismiss him.

West Ham kick off the second half and we are back underway!

CHANCE! Fulham start the half with plenty of possession and they eventually work the ball to Riise, who sees his low effort from a tight angle blocked at the near post by Jaaskelainen.

CHANCE! Parker is next to try his luck, and a corner kick is worked to him just outside the box, but his fierce left footed attempt is hit straight at the keeper.

CHANCE! Fulham have another chance, but it's almost an own goal by West Ham! Riether whips in a fine cross and McCartney gets a flick on the ball that heads towards his own goal, but Jaaskelainen is alert to get down low and save.

It has been all Fulham, and they win another corner. It is taken quickly to Taarabt who drills in a low shot that deflects wide for another set piece.

Duff takes the corner short to Riether, and they exchange passes, before the winger cuts inside and lashes a powerful effort just over the bar.

SUBSTITUTION: West Ham make their second change of the game, with Downing replacing Diame.

SUBSTITUTION: Fulham also make a change, as Kacaniklic comes on for Richardson.

CHANCE! Fulham are close again as Riise drills a low cross into the box that Berbatov can't quite adjust his feet properly to connect with. The ball then flicks up to Duff, but his strike takes a deflection and lands kindly in the arms of Jaaskelainen.

YELLOW CARD! Demel goes into the book for West Ham.

CHANCE! Fulham should have their second of the game! The ball is whipped to the back post where Taarabt meets the ball with a towering header, but Jaaskelainen pulls off a brilliant one handed save. The rebound then falls to him, but he puts the strike wide from close range.

YELLOW CARD! Rat picks up a booking for the Hammers.

Fulham feel they should have a penalty after Duff is fouled by Rat on the edge of the box. The initial contact looked to have happened outside of the area, but Rat was extremely lucky to get away with it.

Fulham have finally taken the lead! The ball is slipped through to Kacaniklic on the left hand side and his low cross into the middle is mishit by Parker, but falls kindly to Berbatov at the back post to slot into the net.

SUBSTITUTION: Fulham make their second change of the game, as Taarabt is replaced by Bent.

SUBSTITUTION: West Ham make their final change of the game, with Cole replacing Maiga.

YELLOW CARD! Berbatov picks up a booking for a late challenge.

CHANCE! Bent has only just come on, but should have wrapped up the points for Fulham. A long ball from the keeper finds it way through to the striker, but with just Jaaskelainen to beat, he fires his low effort straight at the keeper.

It is still all Fulham, and West Ham are struggling to get out of their own half. With just one goal in this game though, there is still every chance they could salvage a point.

YELLOW CARD! Amorebieta takes down Cole as he looked to go through in the middle of the pitch, but it was not a clear goalscoring opportunity and there was plenty of cover. West Ham will have a chance to get players forward from the free kick.

From the resulting free kick by Taylor, Diarra rises unmarked in the middle, but puts his header over the bar. That was a huge missed chance by West Ham!

SUBSTITUTION: Fulham make their final change, with Kasami on for Duff.

West Ham have seen a lot more possession in the past few minutes and are starting to look like a threat. The Fulham defence look slightly nervous and they are surrendering the ball with ease.

Fulham have regained control of the possession with Parker and Sidwell keeping the ball well in midfield. They are still looking for a third but are understandably cautious of surrendering their lead.

Kasami does well to get to the byline, but the West Ham defence crowd him out before he can get a delivery to Berbatov and Bent in the middle.

CHANCE! The corner is played short to Kasami, and his delivery into the middle looks like it is heading in at the back post, but Jaaskelainen manages to palm the ball over.

From another corner the ball is again played short, this time to Kacaniklic, but his fierce strike doesn't trouble the keeper and flashes wide of the post.

We are going to have four minutes of stoppage time.

Downing works some space for himself on the edge of the box, before seeing his low shot deflect wide for a corner.

There are plenty of players forward for West Ham, but the home side do well to clear the danger from the set piece.

West Ham have a free kick in a dangerous position after Senderos loses the ball and fouls McCartney in the process. This is a huge opportunity for the visitors!

Taylor drills the free kick in low, but it hits the wall and deflects wide for a corner kick.

The corner is headed clear to the edge of the box to Downing, but his low effort on the stretch from the edge of the box heads wide of the goal, and that might be their final chance of the game.

Fulham have bounced back from their defeat against Hull City, by coming from behind to beat West Ham United 2-1 this afternoon. It was a hard-fought three points, and could prove crucial to their chances of Premier League survival this season.

As for West Ham, they are still 19th in the table and their winless league run is extended to seven matches. They started the game well, but Nolan’s sending-off at the end of the first half sealed their fate.

That's all we have time for here after an entertaining London derby. Please stay with us at Sports Mole for the rest of this week's results. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Goodbye!