It’s now time to take an in-depth look at West Ham United player performance from Saturday afternoon’s pivotal Premier League victory at the hands of Claude Puel’s Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, as the Hammers moved five points clear of the dreaded relegation zone and ensured they will be playing Top-Flight football next season.
Adrian San-Miguel: 7/10
Keeping his place in the starting Xl in front of an unwell Joe Hart, the Spanish shot-stopper enjoyed a quiet afternoon in keeping his first clean sheet since February.
The only work of note that Adrian had to deal with came inside the final ten minutes when he was forced to catch an Adrien Silva shot and then keep out to Yohan Benalouane’s two headers with super stops, the first the pick of them at his near post, he is excepted to now keep his place over the closing three matches of the 2017/2018 campaign.
Pablo Zabaleta: 7/10
Starting out in his usual right wing-back position and fresh from a below-par performance against his former club Manchester City last weekend, the veteran recovered with an excellent all-around display.
Zabaleta didn’t let very much by him on his flank at all, putting in a solid defensive showing and also getting forward frequently to support the attacks of his own side, his impressive first term in East London may be drawing to a close, but his consistency and professionalism are showing no signs of fading away.
Declan Rice: 7/10
Appearing in his accustomed right-sided centre-back role within the back five, the Republic of Ireland International youngster recovered from glaring errors in consecutive weeks against Arsenal and the Citizens respectively, to stay out of the headlines.
Rice was back to his cool, calm and collected self at the back, warding off his fair share of opposition attacks and with his ball-playing style, meandering out of defence to start a few of his own for the Irons, contending for Man of the Match, what a prospect he continues to look to be.
Angelo Ogbonna: 8/10
Commanding in the centre of the three centre-halves system, the Italian International was the pick of the defenders in the East Midlands Sunshine with one of the best showings of his best season in Caret & Blue so far.
Ogbonna dominated both on the air and on the ground, winning many of his aerial duels and managing to keep the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy for the home side, at bay, he was key to the keeping of the Hammers’ first clean sheet since late-March.
Aaron Cresswell: 7/10
Featuring just to the left of Ogbonna was the England International, who had a mixed afternoon on the ground he scored one of his first West Ham goals, back in the 2015/2016 season 2-2 draw.
According to many, Cresswell should gave been given his marching orders early in the second half for a handball to prevent Vardy capitalising on his slip just outside the box, although referee Chris Kavanagh opted for the yellow card, while he may have been fortunate to have remained on the field, his performance was up to his own high standards.
Arthur Masuaku: 7/10
Returning to the left-wing back role in place of Patrice, the Democratic Republic of Congo International’s showing indicated that being dropped has done him a world of favours.
Masuaku was a constant threat down the left flank and his crossing ability looks to have improved also, his deep delivery setting up Marko Arnautovic to assist Joao Mario for the game’s opening goal, the paceman is back on the scene and hoping to end the season strongly.
Mark Noble: 8/10
Starting out alongside Cheikhou Kouyate in the two protecting the defence, the skipper enjoyed a match that has been long in coming for him and capped off the joyous occasion of his boyhood club securing safety, with a goal.
And what a goal it was too, Noble receiving the ball comfortably outside the area and with a tricky angle after Aleksandar Dragovic’s defensive header, deciding to strike it first-time and unleashing a wondrous volley that buried in Ben Hamer’s far corner via the inside of the post, some have argued that Pedro Obiang, who returned to the matchday squad, should have given his Goal of the Season Award, to his captain.
Cheikhou Kouyate: 7/10
Partnering his skipper in defensive midfield, the Senegal national team captain was another example of a player who has looked to put the demons of recent weeks behind him and won over the Claret & Blue Army, once again.
Kouyate was a real force in midfield, protecting his defence excellently and threatening when he got forward at the other end, his physicality was also a standout component of his display, bullying his opponents and closing down the ball well and quickly, the inconsistency of his term so far carries on.
Joao Mario: 8/10
Slightly further up the field and supporting lone striker Arnautovic was the Portuguese International, keen to turn heads on his comeback to the side after being dropped for the thrashing by Blue Moon.
Mario did so and then some, netting his second goal in Claret & Blue to open the scoring, being in the right place at the right time to tap home after an Arnautovic lay-back, aside from this, the Inter Milan loanee looked bright always gave the Leicester defence endless problems, putting his case for a permeant move in the summer forward.
Manuel Lanzini: 7/10
Also in support of Arnautovic up front on his own was the Argentina International, looking to finish an injury-warped season on a high over the last week in order to cement his place at the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
His display certainly would have helped, rather than hindered, his hopes of going to a first major tournament, unlike last weekend, as he improved drastically on just his second start since returning from injury, spearheading many an attack from the away side with his pace and dribbling, some encouragement at last for the playmaking No10.
Marko Arnautovic: 8/10
Leading the line for the Irons was the top-scorer and newly-crowned Hammer of the Year, who enjoyed another barnstorming outing in the colours of the Hammers.
In truth, Arnautovic probably should have added to his goals tally of ten for this term so far, although he did manage to add to his assists tally, bringing down a long Masuaku ball in the area and so skillfully laying it into the path of Mario to finish, that’s nine goals he has been involved in, in his last eight away matches and five assists this campaign.
Andy Carroll: 7/10
A man that not many would have expected to have been travelling with the West Ham squad early last week was the tall forward, ending a rocky week with a decent cameo.
Carroll was only on the pitch for around 18 minutes, plus added-time, though he still made an impact, helping his side to defend their lead at one end and causing the home side a few issues at the opposite end, he will also be thinking about the big tournament in the summer over the run-in.
Edimilson Fernandes: 7/10
Dropped to the substitutes’ bench and then being introduced as Moyes’ second substitute in the 79th minute, the Swiss International worked hard to help his team protect their two-goal advantage.
However, Fernandes saw very little of the ball and would have been disappointed to lose his run of starts, the most of his Irons career to date, he will be looking to steal his spot back with his own Russia 2018 hopes at stake in the final week.
Patrice Evra: 7/10
One man who certainly won’t be representing his nation this summer is the soon-to-be 37-year-old defender, himself losing his place from the start after a questionable display against the newly-crowned champions of England.
Evra was sent on in added-time and did not have a touch of the ball, many are suggesting that the former French International’s career will be over with his expected departure from East London at the end of the season, but he has done well to get three starts so far under Moyes since he signed as a free-agent in February.
So, now that each and every West Ham United featuring squad member had been rated from the final and one of the better away team performances of the 2017/2018 season, will the Claret & Blue stars rack up such high scores come Thursday night, after Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United have visited the London Stadium in the PL? Join us once again then to find out.
If you want to read more about David Moyes’ West Ham United’s decisive Premier League win over Claude Puel’s Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, you can, with our Match Report and Five Main Talking Points, simply click on the links.
