West Ham Players Graded, Including Lanzini’s Return, after win vs Fulham

This match won’t be remembered so much for the scoreline, but for being the game in which West Ham’s favorite son Manuel Lanzini made his return to the pitch for his club after a long-term knee injury.  Whilst he wasn’t involved in the scoring, it was good to see him get a runout and he made his presence felt in the final 15 minutes.

Back to that 3-1 scoreline. It will show that Chicharito had a goal, although not without controversy. He kept his place in the starting XI over Marko Arnautovic. Arnie came on for Hernandez and assisted on the final goal scored by Michael Antonio. In between Issa Diop got his first Premier League goal and his first for the Irons as they take the full three points from Fulham.  It wasn’t pretty at times but you can’t argue with the result.

Here is how we graded West Ham’s players in the match

Grades (/10):

Fabianski 8 – Huge save 40 seconds into the match 1v1 against  Babel. Had no chance a few minutes later when Babel did open the scoring. Otherwise, he was his solid self making the big save when called upon as his club fought back and eventually took control.

Cresswell 7 – Nobody even thinks about Masuaku these days as Cresswell has solidly returned to form at left-back for the club.

Ogbonna 7 – Assumed to be out of the lineup to make way for Balbuena,  who didn’t even make the squad.  Instead, he put in another solid performance and his header off the corner directly led to the controversial opening goal for West Ham scored by Javier Hernandez

Diop 8 – Scored his first Premier League and West Ham goal to give the Irons a lead they would not relinquish.  On the back end was a real force in dealing with Mitrovic and snuffing any Fulham threats around the box

Zabaleta (45’) 5 – There is some question as to who was at fault for Fulham’s big chance just 40 seconds into the match—Zabaleta for the weak backward pass or Cresswell for not tracking his man into the box. Fabianski saved his bacon. Sub Fredericks was much better in his half of action.

Rice – 8 In command all over the pitch. Made some very memorable tackles to return possession to the Hammers; cut down passes and carried the ball forward with authority. What else do you want from a Midfielder?

Noble 7-  When Fulham came out on the front foot and took an early lead, it was Noble who led his club back by example. It was the captain closing in on every ball and pressing opponents, urging his teammates forward and creating pressure.

Snodgrass 7- In a match in which the Hammers took 12 corners to Fulham’s O, Snodgrass obviously was the key man for West Ham United. Not as noticeable in open play, but he always puts in his shift. The odd man out with Lanzini’s return?

Anderson (76’) 6 – Hit or miss in this one. Seemed to disappear for stretches. While at other times, especially when the club was down 0-1, Anderson did his part to create around the 18-yard box. It could be exciting football when he and Lanzini play together with Arnautovic up top.

Antonio 7 – Credit where it’s due; that was his 4th goal and that puts him 4th in goal scoring on the club. That header off a patient Arnautovic plays in the box iced it in the final moments to ensure all three points were earned. Seems to have taken over on the right side as Grady Diangana was not in the matchday squad.

Chicharito (64’)  8-  A surprise starter in my opinion, at least as a lone striker ahead of Arnautovic, but it paid off. If Premier League used VAR his goal would not have counted as it appeared to come off his arm. But sometimes West Ham needs football luck too and it was the goal the Irons needed to get them going.  Hernandez was stronger on the ball and better at hold up play in this match. Also made some shots from distance look dangerous

Subs Used:

Fredericks (45’) 7- Much more effective than Zabaleta when he came on in the second half. His pace stopped a Fulham chance at the 73’ minute when it was 2-1.

Arnautovic (64’) 5- Thought for sure he would be the starter or part of a tandem with Chicharito. But played his role as a sub and his patience led to the final goal of the match in the dying minutes. Was up for it from the moment he came on. Expect him to be back in the XI vs Man City

Lanzini (83’) 10 – MOTM   Welcome back Manu, we’ve missed you.