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An “almost” banana skin worth of player grades for West Ham United

By Jeremiah Carson

GILLINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: The match day programme is seen prior to the FA Cup Third Round match between Gillingham and West Ham United at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on January 05, 2020 in Gillingham, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
GILLINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: The match day programme is seen prior to the FA Cup Third Round match between Gillingham and West Ham United at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on January 05, 2020 in Gillingham, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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West Ham traveled to Gillingham for the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday it which turned out to almost be another early flop for the Hammers. 2 goals later and crisis is diverted.

After the Hammers have lost horrifically in the past to lower league sides this match against Gillingham had all of the makings of another banana skin type of match. West Ham ended up prevailing and moving on. Below are the player grades for the FA Cup match.

Fabianski

FA Cup player grade: 8

The Hammers are very lucky to have had Lukasz Fabianski in net for this one. 4 saves and a clean sheet in what was a tricky night.

Fredericks injured in the 43rd minute

FA Cup player grade: 6

Ryan Fredericks was somewhat all over the place tonight and unfair to him took a knock early in the match seeing him off. Best wishes lad!

Related Story. The predicted West Ham starting XI for the FA Cup showdown at the Gills. light

Zabaleta subbed on for Fredericks

Subbed grade: 7

It seems like West Ham always has a surprise goal in cup competitions and this was it. Pablo Zabaleta scored his first-ever goal for the Hammers but that was the end of his shine in this one.

GILLINGHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Pablo Zabaleta of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Gillingham FC and West Ham United at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on January 05, 2020 in Gillingham, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
GILLINGHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Pablo Zabaleta of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Gillingham FC and West Ham United at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on January 05, 2020 in Gillingham, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Balbuena

FA Cup player grade: 7

A professional night for Fabian Balbuena. 4 aerials won and 3 tackles made as he was the center of the back three in defense tonight.

Ogbonna

FA Cup player grade: 8

What more can be said about the early HOTY prospect? Oggy played really well again tonight and defended up many of the chances the Gills had.

Diop

FA Cup player grade: 7

Issa Diop was the king of the aerial attack tonight with 7 headers won. He was a bit all over the place as he has been in the past but was able to pull through when it counted.

Masuaku

FA Cup player grade: 7

King Arthur Masuaku looked really solid in a wing-back role both on the attack and defending. In a sloppy match, he came out victorious even after losing the ball a few times.

GILLINGHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Declan Rice of West Ham United acknowledges the fans as Carlos Sanchez of West Ham United pats him on the back after the FA Cup Third Round match between Gillingham FC and West Ham United at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on January 05, 2020 in Gillingham, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
GILLINGHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Declan Rice of West Ham United acknowledges the fans as Carlos Sanchez of West Ham United pats him on the back after the FA Cup Third Round match between Gillingham FC and West Ham United at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on January 05, 2020 in Gillingham, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Rice

FA Cup player grade: 9 the GSH Man of the Match

We already knew that he poured everything into the club but Declan Rice should even more tonight. He was the clear MOTM for me as you could just see he was a step ahead of everyone else.

Snodgrass subbed off in the 70th minute

FA Cup player grade: 6

Snoddy wasn’t at his best in this one as his passing was off and his free for all style of running around didn’t work in these slick conditions.

Fornals subbed on for Snodgrass

Subbed grade: 9

In 30 minutes of play, you didn’t see too much of Pablo Fornals but when you did, it was glorious. He put the nail in the coffin as the two Pablo’s scored it up tonight.

Lanzini

FA Cup player grade: 5

A bight mark was that Manuel Lanzini passed just under 90% accuracy. However, the rest of the match was rough to watch as he barely played for the ball or took on the opposition once again.

GILLINGHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Robert Snodgrass of West Ham United shoots from a freekick during the FA Cup Third Round match between Gillingham FC and West Ham United at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on January 05, 2020 in Gillingham, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
GILLINGHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Robert Snodgrass of West Ham United shoots from a freekick during the FA Cup Third Round match between Gillingham FC and West Ham United at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on January 05, 2020 in Gillingham, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Anderson subbed off in the 94th minute

FA Cup player grade: 6

Felipe Anderson had horrific passing opportunities all night except for the one that counted at the end.  You could tell that he was a step ahead of the Gills but he didn’t put it into action.

Sanchez subbed on for Anderson

Subbed grade: 0

Why did David Moyes even run out Carlos Sanchez? He literally took 4 steps back and the match ended so to no fault of his own, he gets a zero.

GILLINGHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United celebrates his sides second goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Gillingham FC and West Ham United at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on January 05, 2020 in Gillingham, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
GILLINGHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United celebrates his sides second goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Gillingham FC and West Ham United at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on January 05, 2020 in Gillingham, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Haller

FA Cup player grade: 8

The Frenchman used his size tonight bullying around the smaller Gillingham defenders. Sebastien Haller won 11 headers tonight but his shooting was off missing on both chances.

Next. West Ham lock down young midfield ace. dark

WhoScorced.com gave West Ham United a 7.34 in the 3rd round cup win over the Gills. The Hammers narrowly avoided the slip up as it was tight for most of the match until Fornals finally put it away. They move on and that’s all the matters for now. COYI!