Didn’t study but still passed the test; West Ham player grades

The opening 16 minutes in West Ham’s London Derby with Tottenham saw an enormous 3-0 lead gained by Spurs. An unrelenting second half and late heroics lead the way in these player ratings.

Lukasz Fabianski – 3/10: The keeper, who rarely sees criticism in West Ham’s team, was just as bad as his teammates in this loss. Son’s goal was far from the corner and was stoppable and he needed to be braver in claiming aerial attacks as well.

Vladimir Coufal – 4/10: Coufal had some tough plays in defence early in this match and didn’t look bright. He, along with his entire team, started slowly, but his resiliency and ability to link up with Yarmolenko saw him push the second goal of the match in.

Fabian Balbuena – 5/10: Terrible defending in the opening minute saw him exposed by Son. To his credit, he tightened up over the match and made sure to hustle harder when tracking back. His goal got the Hammers back in the match too, igniting the comeback.

Angelo Ogbonna – 5/10: Yet again, Ogbonna was West Ham’s best defender even though he too struggled in this match. He failed to mark Kane properly on the third goal and also was left lunging on Kane’s first. He grew into the match as did his teammates.

Aaron Cresswell – 4/10: You cannot slate him too much as he was out of position yet again, despite Craig Dawson’s signing and Issa Diop’s return, but Cresswell struggled against Kane as anticipated. He saves himself with his set-piece delivery which Balbuena converted, thankfully, as his corners were fairly poor.

Arthur Masuaku – 6/10: Spoiler alert, Masuaku tops the starters rankings as he managed to threaten down the leftwing for a lot of the match. He was sacrificed to get fresh legs on but he was solid on the flank and dribbled like a dream again.

Tomas Soucek – 5/10: He saved his match by driving Harry Kane into the ground and showing some mettle and heart, giving him something to actually lay on the pitch about. He was a little invisible at both ends of the pitch today. Time to rebound.

Declan Rice – 5/10: It’s never a good look to get megged on a goal so that hurts the ranking and the pride a bit. Rice did what Rice does, though, and carried the ball forward to try and spur his team on. Great leader, just struggled early like the rest of his team.

Jarrod Bowen – 6/10: Just put in 100% effort and West Ham supporters will love you. This was exactly what Bowen did, working his socks off and trying to be the instigator for his team. His work rate alone earned him this rating.

Michail Antonio – 5/10: He was recalled early due to hamstring tightness and was frustrated by countless fouls against him and his one infringement getting him an early yellow card. He was (pardon the expression) hamstring from being as physical as he would want but again worked himself into the ground.

Pablo Fornals – 3/10: Fornals worked hard but it just didn’t click for him today. He missed a chance for a headed goal on a potentially offside play which would have helped boost his confidence, but with Manuel Lanzini and Said Benrahma now breathing down his neck he needs to be more consistent.

West Ham left it late, as per usual with their substitutions, but all three were attacking and made an impact in this late draw. Michail Antonio was replaced by Andriy Yarmolenko, Fornals by Lanzini, and Masuaku by Snodgrass.

Yarmolenko played right-wing and Bowen switched inside. A great tricky pass from Yarmolenko sent Coufal free to force the own goal which pulled the Hammers that much closer to the ridiculous result. Robert Snodgrass offered another option out wide on free kicks and pulled defensive coverage on the last goal.

Snodgrass’ threat and presence saw Harry Winks have to stretch to get something on his clearance attempt which left the ball on a tee for Lanzini. The most perfect of strikes as time was expiring saw West Ham’s jewel steal a point for his team on a bar-down strike. A perfect ten for Lanzini’s rating caps off this remarkable match.