Chances Missed Sink West Ham Player Ratings
By Adam Smith
Wasted opportunities saw West Ham’s grip on this game loosen with team and individual efforts dropping and giving the game away.
The frustrations of supporting West Ham came back this season in a Jekyll and Hyde performance from the Hammers. A dominant and utterly wasteful first half saw a spirited team fighting for every ball. A deflated and boring second-half performance handed Manchester United all three points. Here are the player ratings.
Lukasz Fabianski – 6/10: Not as dominant in the air as he usually is and a bit frustrating on his second-half clearances that often went wasted, Fabianski wasn’t to blame for the goals but could have controlled his defenders better.
Vladimir Coufal – 4/10: His incredible ball across the face of the goal was wasted by Bowen, but outside of that chance the usually terrific Czech defender was skinned alive and defensively woeful in the second frame. He’ll bounce back but Ryan Fredericks and Ben Johnson are knocking on the door.
Fabian Balbuena – 6/10: His first-half performance was maybe the best of his career, but he was picked apart by Greenwood and Rashford after walking through Coufal. His long balls over the top were good today too, but consistency is key.
Angelo Ogbonna – 6/10: He was made to look silly on Greenwood’s wonderful goal but he was strong and headed every aerial ball out of the area all match long. He’ll bounce back, no doubt.
Aaron Cresswell – 7/10: The best defender today with some great offensive contributions as well. His delivery on his corners was terrific and his free-kick was also terrifically taken. A solid performance yet again.
Arthur Masuaku – 5/10: He was fine today but needs to play his passes earlier and prioritize crossing into the box. Too many times he invites pressure when the space was there to whip the ball in. Better decision making to connect with his striker is needed.
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Declan Rice – 7/10: If there is a better defensive midfielder in the league they are clearly hiding because no one tops Rice week after week. He was a rock yet again in this game but could have done better to stick to Fernandes once he was introduced, that is nitpicking though.
Tomas Soucek – 7/10: Another setpiece goal for Soucek who bundled the ball into the net from Rice. He needed to win more in the midfield especially against Pogba but was very good overall which is consistency at its finest.
Jarrod Bowen – 4/10: This performance from him was so very inspiring but his end product wasn’t there today and he needs to be judged on that. He needs to be more clinical and needs to up his accuracy when shooting from range. He was a nightmare for Tellez to deal with but goals and assists are what counts.
Sebastien Haller – 4/10: Much like Bowen, Haller needed to be more clinical and take his chances when he got them. His topple when in alone was an unfortunate and game-defining accident that just cannot happen. He did put himself in better positions and his closing down was a real problem for United in the first half.
Pablo Fornals – 3/10: His end product was shocking today, missing the entire net on a wonderful cross from Bowen, not springing Bowen on a pass he should be able to make and eventually hitting the post on a toe-poke that should have gone in. He has had a longer leash than many think he should have but may have just lost his starting position.
Substitutes:
Said Benrahma – 3/5: An immediate spark to the offence every time he comes on, Said Benrahma yet again took control of a more balanced attack and drove it forward with dribbling and passing. His shooting was also on target and should be in line to start now.
Manuel Lanzini – ?/5: He was introduced at the same time Benrahma was but was completely invisible and pushed out of the game. His one notable touch was a volley that was caught by Henderson with ease. Didn’t do enough to warrant a rating.
Ben Johnson – 2/5: It was an interesting and needed change that saw Johnson enter the game for Coufal. He didn’t get a real chance to make an impact. He must be impressing to win a bench spot over Fredericks and Coufal could miss out next week after his poor performance.