West Ham earned an away point in their 1-1 draw at Huddersfield Town, but no doubt left the match feeling they could’ve taken all three points with a better performance.
It was a scrappy effort, but another one on the season in which the Hammers failed to play well for the full 90 minutes and so as a result, another 2 points slip away. Huddersfield took it to the Irons all day and all over the pitch with their pressing style. If it weren’t for an Anderson goal at the 74’ minute, this match would’ve been a carbon copy of the away defeat at Brighton in early October. This club is in position to take anyone in the Premiership lightly.
Here is how West Ham’s players graded in the match
Grades (/10):
Fabianski–6 Once again made some big timely saves to keep his club in the game and prevent Huddersfield from going up two. The goal was just out of his reach and it is likely unfair to think he got a late jump on it.
Cresswell- 5 Had one brain freeze late on in the match playing the ball back to Fabianski that could’ve been disastrous, but Fabianski cleaned up the mess. Otherwise, he was just ok on the day. IN a refrain for the whole club’s performance—need better.
Diop- 5 The positive was a blazing header off a corner that just missed. Otherwise, on the negative side of things, it was his worst match in a while. Wrought with giveaways, missed tackles and poor positioning.
Balbuena –7 The better of West Ham’s two center backs in the match and it wasn’t really close. Carried the ball out of trouble, marked his man. Forced to make too many passes today as the midfield kept playing the ball back in the face of Huddersfield pressure.
Zabaleta (73’)– 6 Wore the armband again today. Mirrored the team’s efforts—ok, but we need more and he’s been far better than this over the past month or so.
Rice- 4 His worst West Ham performance in memory—certainly of this campaign. Turnovers, missed passes, at times appeared to not know where he was supposed to be. Maybe that was the fault of the manager. After the Huddersfield goal, the team seemed to fall apart and he was in the middle of the mess. In the second half appeared to switch places with Obiang before the latter subbed off. Confusing day.
Snodgrass- 6 Good thing we have him to take corners and get crosses in. Was a step slow in carrying the ball from the midfield to the forwards. Yet another who was just ok, but in this match, more was expected.
Obiang (64’) – 5 Very underwhelming. As noted above, appeared to switch roles with Rice in the second before coming off. Didn’t do anything as the most forward of the midfield trio.
Diangana (45’) –5 You figure at some point he will earn the calls, but this was another match in which he was bullied about and never got a call to go his way. Created some space and time in the first half before was take off at halftime.
Anderson – 7 Overall his performance was probably a 6 or maybe a 7 but the 7 is given here because he netted the equalizer that could’ve fallen to any number of players. But to be fair, this club is having trouble finish chances and scoring goals and Anderson saved the point for their scrappy efforts in the second half. Really was allowed to roam free late on after all three subs had been used.
Arnautovic -6 He’s really the only Hammer that garners full attention from the opponent week in and week out. Had a very early 1 v 1 chance that went just wide. If that goes in, I feel this entire match would’ve played differently and had a more positive outcome. But it didn’t, and it didn’t. Huddersfield scored minutes after and then West Ham was left chasing
Subs Used:
Chicharito (45’)- 6 He’s getting better and playing more, but as a ‘fox in the box’ he needs to finish his chances (sounds like a broken record here) and he had one glorious one on his thigh and another that he was a touch late in reaching on a cross. He can’t complain that he’s not getting his opportunities under Pellegrini
Antonio (64’)- 3 Antonio: DON’T SHOOT! Pass the ball to someone who has any skill in the final third or at least a decent last touch. Two more shots sailed above the bar; on one of which he had Chicharito to his right. The grade is in direct correlation to how many wild shots or missed passes he has.
Fredericks (73’)- 5 Wasn’t on the pitch for the final five minutes after turning his ankle. Before that had one good run up the right side.