After West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski had to be substituted after a collision with a suspected head injury, head coach Julen Lopetegui gave the all-clear after the game. However, he is also concerned about two other personnel matters.
Minutes of treatment in their own five-meter area, then the removal on a stretcher – for West Ham United, the 1-0 win on Thursday at Southampton FC had a bitter aftertaste. What happened? At a corner, keeper Lukasz Fabianski collided with the elbow of Saints defender Nathan Wood, and the game was interrupted for almost eight minutes for treatment.
The Polish goalkeeper was unable to continue. He was taken off the pitch on a stretcher – with an oxygen mask on his face – to standing ovations, and Alphonse Areola took his place in goal for the Hammers. However, it seems that Fabianski did not suffer any more serious injuries.
Head coach Julen Lopetegui gave the all-clear after the game: Fabianski was not taken to hospital after treatment in the dressing room, and was able to take his place on the bench again for the second half. “The good news is fortunately that he can talk. He is alert and conscious.”
Lopetegui feared “the worst”
Lopetegui himself has already spoken to the 39-year-old and “the doctors said that he is already feeling better and is doing well. That’s a very nice feeling because we were very worried.” What’s more: “When it happened, I was pretty scared, I feared the worst.” Fortunately, Lopetegui was able to provide reassuring news later.
Whether and for how long Fabianski, who had saved West Ham from going behind with an excellent header from Paul Onuachu just before the collision, would be out of action was not stated by either the coach or his club.
Since Thursday, the 27-year-old center back had to be substituted in the 19th minute due to a shoulder injury. Midfielder Carlos Soler had to come off at half-time with a knee problem. “We had some problems today,” said Lopetegui about the injury concerns his Hammers defied: “But we were still able to overcome these difficulties.” West Ham are now unbeaten in four Premier League games.
