Green Street Hammers
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West Ham Player Grades: The Tevez Derby Part Deux robbed by VAR

By Jeremiah Carson

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Declan Rice of West Ham United reacts after his hand ball rules Robert Snodgrass of West Ham United (not pictured) goal disallowed by VAR during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane on January 10, 2020 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Declan Rice of West Ham United reacts after his hand ball rules Robert Snodgrass of West Ham United (not pictured) goal disallowed by VAR during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane on January 10, 2020 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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A match that can literally be defined in one word, robbed. West Ham didn’t look the part until the dying embers of the match and yet when they pulled through, VAR stepped in to egregiously take it away.

Stepping away from the big picture and just looking at the players, it was more disappointment. No West Ham player was poor the entire match yet no one was great either and you could see it all on David Moyes’s face as he left the pitch.

Fabianski injured in the 15th minute

Player Grade: N/A (not enough time)

The immediate fear was returned to every fan as Lukasz Fabianski pulled up lame again. Prayers and wishes go his way in hopes of a swift and quick recovery.

Martin subbed on for Fabianski

Subbed Grade: 5

After an “ok” first half, David Martin bottled it right up in the early stages of the second. He came back to the rescue once more, but the deed was already done.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 10: David Martin of West Ham United shakes hands with Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United after Lukasz Fabianski is injured during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane on January 10, 2020 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 10: David Martin of West Ham United shakes hands with Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United after Lukasz Fabianski is injured during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane on January 10, 2020 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Zabaleta

Player Grade: 7

Congratulations on your 300th EPL match Pablo Zabaleta and honestly, he surprised many by being able to keep up all match. The aging Argentinian played well except for a few errant crosses.

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Ogbonna

Player Grade: 7

Only once in this match could you say that Angelo Ogbonna was caught out of position. He dominated the Blades to include Oli McBurnie who was a thorn for the Hammers today.

Balbuena

Player Grade: 6

Fabian Balbuena and his passing were sub-par but he had a decent game. Nothing really happened in the first half and you can in no way fault him on Martin’s bad pass.

Cresswell

Player Grade: 6

Aaron Cresswell looked really solid in his debut performance as a third center back. His passes weren’t as solid as usual today but you can’t fault him for the loss in any way.

Masuaku subbed off in the 68th minute

Player Grade: 5

I think that lackadaisical is the best way to put Arthur Masuaku and his left side performance today. He has a few good runs and looked comfortable but couldn’t really finish on anything he tried.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 10: Robert Snodgrass of West Ham United scores his sides first goal which is then disallowed by VAR during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane on January 10, 2020 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 10: Robert Snodgrass of West Ham United scores his sides first goal which is then disallowed by VAR during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane on January 10, 2020 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Snodgrass subbed on for Masuaku

Subbed Grade: 7

Instant impact for Robert Snodgrass? Almost, and what a free-kick chance he had today. Lets me rephrase that, free-kicks. Robbed by VAR after he collected a beautiful pass from Rice and slotted it home only to be called off.

Rice

Player Grade: 7

You truly have to feel bad for Declan Rice as the English international had a great late pass turned around by VAR. He was much better in the early part of the match but he looked solid all the way through.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 10: Enda Stevens of Sheffield United is challenged by Declan Rice of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane on January 10, 2020 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 10: Enda Stevens of Sheffield United is challenged by Declan Rice of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane on January 10, 2020 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Noble

Player Grade: 5

A weird sluggish match for Mark Noble today as he couldn’t really get anything going. His passes, off, his leadership somewhat quiet, and today just wasn’t his day.

Lanzini subbed on in the 83rd minute

Player Grade: 5

Does anyone know why Manuel Lanzini played as long as he did? His two chances were almost perfect in the revolving story of today’s match. Showed more aggression but still not enough.

Fornals subbed on for Lanzini

Subbed Grade: N/A (not enough time)

Honestly, it was too little too late for Pablo Fornals as Lanzini was kept on well past his due. I feel gutted for the Spaniard as he has really been on form as of late.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 10: Felipe Anderson of West Ham United reacts after a missed chance during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane on January 10, 2020 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 10: Felipe Anderson of West Ham United reacts after a missed chance during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and West Ham United at Bramall Lane on January 10, 2020 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Anderson

Player Grade: 6

Over the past few weeks, Felipe Anderson has really turned up and is starting to return to the Felipe of old. He had the pick of his choosing on where to run but he didn’t finish it well at all today.

Haller

Player Grade: 6

Once again, Sebastien Haller was all over the place and was inches away from the scoreline twice. Once on an offside and the second when he just gets up to high. Solid yet disappointing still.

Next. Initial thoughts on the match that wasn't for West Ham today. dark

Once again, the Hammers failed to finish a match even if this time was coming from behind. A very lackluster match that ended in utter disappointment and a longgggggggg weekend to sit and think about the next match week coming up.