“West Ham has dropped 15 points from winning positions” player grades

It’s Boxing Day and West Ham travel to Crystal Palace in the Hammer’s first reverse fixture of the year. What follows are the player grades from the match.

As the title suggests, West Ham has now dropped 15 points from winning positions this season. Not only that, but they have dropped 6 points to Crystal Palace this season. Surprisingly, the player grades weren’t all that bad for some but overall, it was a rough outing.

Player Grades from 0 to 10

Roberto

This Week: 6.8

Guess who was back? Hey look at that, he meant to punch it and he did with confidence. He got caught ball watching but got lucky. Huge 1v1 save. You’d bite your hand off for Roberto today, at times.

Zabaleta

This Week: 6.6

Solid from the start but for how long-playing wild and he been helped out a time or two. He is running out of magic and resorting to aggression for West Ham as Pablo Zabaleta just couldn’t keep up all match.

Ogbonna

This Week: 6.1

Solid at the back so far. He got a bit sloppy on a pass in but saved Roberto a few minutes later. Not sure what that mix up with Nobes was about. Weird day for him overall for Angelo Ogbonna and was one of the three to blame for the losing goal.

Balbuena

This Week: 6.2

His confidence level seems to be back and rising. He got caught ball watching but got lucky. Second-time ball watching and this time not lucky. Finally defending for his life out there but West Ham it was too little too late as he was to blame for both goals.

Cresswell

This Week: 6.5

Looking really solid on the left side so far. Got away with a huge mistake in the 2nd half. Missed the header that led to the goal that tied up the match but wasn’t woeful.

Noble

This Week: 7.2

Has really been helpful on defense. No one can question his heart today especially after his scrum with Oggy. But Mark Noble could only do so much for the Hammers today.

Rice

This Week: 6.8

Solid and has been helpful. His sloppy second half as he got beat, potential handball and a very sloppy tackle. He may be all over the place but he’s playing wild and good at times. Helped Zab out a few times but Declan Rice missed more than won today for West Ham.

Snodgrass subbed off in this 90th minute

This Week: 7.2 (only for his goal)

Part of the first real signs of life yet sloppy still. Like a fine roller coaster, he bounces back with a vengeance. So close on his second and he has been an engine again.

Ajeti subbed on for Snodgrass

Subbed Grade: 6

To try to not sound like a broken record on Albian Ajeti, I will say hey he got a shot upfront in a two-person striker formation, oh wait!

Fornals subbed off in the 58th minute

This Week: 6.9

If you were looking for a player that played with no regard for his own life, Pablo Fornals was that guy. He had a solid match, not statistically, and was involved in almost every attack. Surprised to see him come off.

Lanzini subbed on for Fornals

Subbed Grade: 6.4

The first time back in a while, curious. Great link-up and push. Great lay off to Antonio but he missed poorly. Not a bad run back for his first match in a while for West Ham.

Antonio

This Week: 7.4

Despite being in a car accident yesterday, he was back and upfront. Making good runs yet sloppy. Nice shot on. Look out! He’s shooting wild again. Michail Antonio tried but just didn’t have it all today.

Haller subbed off in the 74th minute

This Week: 6.4

Honestly, I forgot he was playing at times. The excitement of seeing Sebastien Haller upfront with Antonio was quickly darted out by his lack of involvement. He did win a few headers but that was it.

Anderson subbed on for Haller

Subbed Grade: 6.6

It seemed that some time off gave him a bit of life and he was very well off once he came on. Created a few chances today and it was refreshing, to say the least.

WhoScored.com gave West Ham an overall grade of 6.73 but that seems high to be honest. It was a lack of heart and a lack of skill today for the Hammers. Will Pellegrini still be here in 2 days’ time? Probably but will the tactics change? Probably not.