West Ham Player Grades: 3 needed points against Southampton

West Ham collected all 3 points today against Southampton and we give out the grades as it happened. However, should’ve it come easier for the Hammers?

This game was nervy from the start and honestly, it still should be for West Ham and Pellegrini and Co. Although a win is a win, this one was tough from the word go. Individually, it was a better sight to see as we hand out our grades for the match

Grades from 0 to 10

Martin

Player Grade: 6.7

David Martin had another match where he did was he needed to do. He was saved by the cage more than once but he was very business-like today.

Fredericks

Player Grade: 7.5

Week in and week out the West Ham right-back keeps getting better. Today Ryan Fredericks has 6 solid tackles and kept the right side fairly shut down.

Balbuena

Player Grade: 7.5

This was honestly Balbuena’s best match. He won 5 aerials on his way to helping the clean sheet. The Paraguayan played solid and for that should earn another start on Boxing Day.

Ogbonna

Player Grade: 7.3

For once, Angelo Ogbonna wasn’t the best center back on the pitch for West Ham but he was still solid in defense. This resurgence from him is great to see and quite frankly needed.

Cresswell

Player Grade: 6.9

The English-born left-back played a solid match but got beat a few times as Southampton really focused their pressure down the left side. Aaron Cresswell did what was needed once more and saw out the win.

Noble

Player Grade: 7.1

With 4 tackles, 1 dribble won, and a shot, Mark Noble was everywhere today. His prematch comments spilled out onto the pitch as he helped lead the Hammers to victory.

Diop subbed on for Nobes in the 88th minute

Subbed Grade: 6.2

This was the clear indication that West Ham and Pellegrini were “parking the bus.” Issa Diop didn’t get a lot of time to show his stuff, but he did what was needed during a nervy few minutes.

Rice

Player Grade: 6.8

Declan Rice, much like Noble was all over the place today. He didn’t come up on the stat sheet that much but passed the eye test with some solid defensive play in the back.

Snodgrass

Player Grade: 6.6

McMessi had the chance to toss in 6 corners today and he looked pretty good doing it. He got a little wild at times which saw him get a yellow card and almost another but all in all he was the same old Robert Snodgrass we have come to love.

Yarmolenko subbed on for Snoddy in the 73rd minute.

Subbed Grade: 6.1

Andriy Yarmolenko has a solid match and almost got a goal on the net if it wasn’t for some solid defending. He added some fresh breath late in the match but that was about it for today.

Fornals

Player Grade: 7.4

Pablo Fornals gave it his all once again today. If the assist wasn’t enough, his shots on net, defensive play, and his will to push on made him a close runner-up for man of the match.

Antonio

Player Grade: 8.8 The Green Street Hammers Man of the Match

Although Michail Antonio wasn’t the man who on the scoresheet with the goal he played a pivotal role in today’s match earning him the MOTM. The pace down the wing was a turning point for many attacks and its refreshing to see.

Haller

Player Grade: 8.8

Sebastien Haller had an outstanding stat line today. 4 shots on net, 3 dribbles won, and 10 aerials won. Even if he didn’t score that bouncer, it would’ve been great to see him back and playing this well.

Sanchez subbed on for Haller in the 79th minute

Subbed Grade: 6

Seeing Carlos Sanchez back on the pitch was somewhat shocking and at times, he looked like he was more of a paperweight than a defending midfielder.

WhoScored.com gave West Ham United a 7 overall for their performance in the win against Southampton. As previously stated, it wasn’t a match that shouldn’t have been this close but it was. Moving on from there the Hammers have 12 days to prep for boxing day.