West Ham Player Grades: Finally goals, but very little defending

As West Ham United travelled to Newcastle, a need for 3 points were exactly what was needed. What followed was an up and down head-scratcher from beginning to end.

The Hammers shockingly came out with early teamwork, pace, good looking passing. The first has was a bit up n’ down for West Ham as they struck first, gave up a freebie, and then calmed the storm. The second half wasn’t much different, as two goals were scored within 90 seconds.

West Ham Player Grades Ranked 0 to 10

Fabianksi

Player Grade: 6

A fresh, calm Lukasz Fabianski opened his saves account with a clean free-kick block. Was left all alone, to no fault of his own, but he looked shaky midway through the first half for a few minutes. His second goal aloud was a work of genius for Newcastle and a lapse in judgment for the defence, not him.

Fredericks

Player Grade: 5

Ryan Fredericks was completely quiet until the 28th minute when he pushed on in the attack with no result. Woeful at best, but stopped a for sure Toon counter. Stuck with it, but nothing spectacular today.

West Ham Player Grades: Finally goals, but very little defending

Diop

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Player Grade: 6

Issa Diop has been a heading guru today. Early on defence and then later in the second half in attack. He is keeping up with his counterpart today. Both he and Oggy couldn’t help that second goal, all in all, he played well.

Ogbonna

Player Grade: 6

A handball scare opened the day for Angelo Ogbonna, but he was solid from the start until he forgot to mark the former MLS star. Was outmanned for that second goal, but can’t be blamed. Besides a few shaky runs, the Italian international looked good.

Cresswell

Player Grade: 5

Finally, in the 32nd minute, we heard his name. Aaron Cresswell played an awesome ball in for a chance but had been quiet otherwise. He continued the match quietly but stayed the course as well as he could have today.

Rice

Player Grade: 7

A somewhat quiet start, Declan Rice was utterly sleeping on the early Newcastle goal. Luckily for West Ham, he got back to his world-class status after 20 minutes. A complete bully in the midfield today, pure class, and kept the game level on both sides.

Soucek

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JULY 05: General view inside the stadium as Tomas Soucek of West Ham United scores his team’s second goal past Martin Dubravka of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Ham United at St. James Park on July 05, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Player Grade: 8

Tomas Soucek was all over the pitch from the start but left looking dumbfounded after that early Toon’s goal. He calmed down since to finish out a solid first half. He cannot be stopped either, as he notched in a stunner midway through the second half. Looped in a second try but just too high.

Lanzini subbed off in the 57th minute

Player Grade: 4

Manuel Lanzini trying to head a ball in was about the only effort from him in the first half. Looks better than last week, but not in it. Unfortunately, passing in the second half has led to an early dismissal.

Fornals subbed off in the 73rd minute

Player Grade: 6

Pablo Fornals had a definite hand in that early goal, looking smooth from the start. Still lacking that confidence to just shoot on key, but a solid start either way. A terrible lapse in judgment didn’t help the second goal for Newcastle either. An up and down day for him.

Bowen

Player Grade: 7

Lovely early ball in from Jarrod Bowen to Antonio and the Hammers got the early lead. Bowen would’ve had the second Hammers goal if it wasn’t for fantastic goalkeeping. What a pest he was today, and showing why he was so crucial to bring in.

Antonio

Player Grade: 6

Typically we don’t find the Hammers on the board so early; however, Michail Antonio has helped that today. He finished the first half pretty quiet but still active. The second half was more of the same, there but not any input.

Substitutions

Noble subbed on for Lanzini in the 57th minute

Subbed Grade: 6

Mr West Ham has been trying way too hard after coming on; Mark Noble just needs to slow down. He brought a definite change with him when coming in.

Yarmolenko subbed on for Fornals in the 73rd minute

Subbed Grade: 5

After scoring the winner last week, Andriy Yarmolenko tried again just minutes after coming on. His passing has been off today, not as precise as earlier this week.

Next. West Ham Pegged Back By Jonjo Shelvey’s Clinical Finish. dark

WhoScored.com gave West Ham a 6.81, which is pretty fair and accurate. The Hammers were mediocre at times and stellar at others. A point is a point, and at the start of the match, many a Hammers fan would’ve taken it.

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