West Ham Player Grades after a “growth” draw against Everton
![LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Issa Diop of West Ham United celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 1-0 with his team-mates during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton FC at London Stadium on January 18, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Issa Diop of West Ham United celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 1-0 with his team-mates during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton FC at London Stadium on January 18, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/24c025f9b94cc035c94a474bf4d41a51c04df17a2f688d25185331da8dc761b6.jpg)
In a match where there was plenty of action both in the stands and outside the stadium, the game itself was, well, disappointing for West Ham.
The West Ham starting XI was slow and predictable at times but they did have a few bright spots which will be pointed out in the below player grades. All in all, a draw is a solid match but once again the players didn’t get what should’ve been deserved.
Grades from 0 to 10
Randolph
Player Grades: 6
It honestly feels weird writing his name again and even seeing him on the pitch but Darren Randolph held his own today. A bit hesitant at times but also wasn’t challenged too much yet.
Zabaleta
Player Grades: 8
This was Pablo Zabaleta‘s best match of the season. He looked better in a 4 at the back role and was even more attacking than usual. He got up n down great and made a huge difference today.
Diop
Player Grades: 8 The GSH Man of the Match
Just like Zaba, this was the best we’ve seen Issa Diop all season. Yes, his goal was needed and a thing of beauty but the best part of his match was his play off of Kean late in the second half.
Ogbonna
Player Grades: 8
The early front-runner for the HOTY, was back at it again today. He was at fault for the goal but the rest of his match was so solid and his resolute was there again. Great match!
Cresswell
Player Grades: 6
Aaron Cresswell had space for days today but was pretty nonexistent except for a few solid crosses in the first half. Didn’t do anything wrong, just average.
Rice
Player Grades: 7
Did Declan Rice misplace a ball all match? I don’t think so and he was a brick wall in the midfield not letting anyone by him. The youngster continues to be the constant week in and week out.
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Noble
Player Grades: 7
You could tell that Mark Noble was exhausted by the end of the match but you would be too if you continually stopped pass after pass and he was a master of the interception today.
Fornals
Player Grades: 7
It was great to see him back in the starting XI. Pablo Fornals had a great chance at the end of the first half and then went on to have a fairly consistent match before getting taken off.
Masuaku subbed on for Fornals
Subbed Grades: 5
We all got to see Arthur Masuaku play on the left-wing for a consistent amount of time and yet it wasn’t that exciting. He never really pushed on and was very cautious all match.
Lanzini
Player Grades: 5
To be fair, Manuel Lanzini did press well at times but that was about it. He played just ok enough to make it seems like he was trying but was just a second off or a pass to far on each play.
Ajeti subbed on for Lanzini
Subbed Grades: 7
Ok so maybe he got a little lucky on that potential red card but he really went all out. Albian Ajeti needs to get more time and possibly even get a shot next to Haller for more than 10 minutes.
Snodgrass
Player Grades: 6
Robert Snodgrass has himself a tale of two halves today. In the first, he was really good on crosses and free kicks in even leading up to the Diop goal but in the second he got found out.
Haller
Player Grades: 4
As a few Hammers had there best days, Sebastien Haller did not. This might’ve been his worst outing yet even with a great shot on net. His confidence looked low and quite honestly he doesn’t look good alone upfront.
Next. West Ham break all square with Everton. dark
Like I said at the beginning, this match was a well-earned point that beforehand anyone would’ve wanted. However, West Ham played better than Everton and deserved a win but once again we get the “growth” headline as the Hammers still hover around the relegation zone.