West Ham Europa League Player Ratings

4 of 6

Central Midfielders

STRATFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 04: Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham United (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Håvard Nordtveit

It’s the first time many of the fans in the stadium will have seen him play, and almost certainly the first time they’ve seen him live. But he quickly endeared himself to the fans.

A true defensive midfielder, he stays back and allows Kouyate and Noble to push further forwards. He was composed on the ball and always looked in position, and did for West Ham what I wanted Pedro Obiang to be in the team for. A calm player, and a good passer of the ball.

7.5/10

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Cheik Kouyate

A West Ham favourite through and through, his hard work and willingness to run with the ball means there isn’t a fan in the stadium who doesn’t love what he does for the club.

His two goals were a product of his work rate and he looked great on the ball going forward. Most people’s man of the match but a narrow second for me.

Great performance, forever a pub quiz answer.

9/10

Mark Noble

It’s not often I say this but he was the weakest of our central midfielders on the pitch last night. He was playing in a more forward role because of the inclusion of Nordtveit, but he wasn’t as comfortable there.

His passing and creativity isn’t as good when he doesn’t have the ability to drop right off and create space, but to expect him to be as natural there as Lanzini or Payet would be stupid. His workrate was, as always, extremely high and I know it would have been an emotional night for him leading his team out at the stadium.

7/10

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