The Jewel And The Youngster Stand Out For West Ham As The Hammers Get Rated From Convincing Everton Win
It’s now time to analyse West Ham United player performance from Sunday afternoon’s convincing end-of-season triumph over Sam Allardyce’s Everton at London Stadium, as David Moyes’ Hammers were dominant in finishing the campaign with two victories out of a possible three in what could be the Scot’s final game in charge in East London.
Adrian San-Miguel: 8/10
Retaining his starting place in front of England goalkeeper Joe Hart for the fourth match in succession, the Spanish shot-stopper produced a third consecutive show-stopping performance between the sticks.
While Adrian could do nothing about being beaten by Oumar Niasse from point-blank range in the second period, he pulled off a string of stunning saves, first deny Niasse moments before his goal, then to keep out Theo Walcott and him moments after the Hammers’ third, the strong end-of-season could have gone a long way to securing the ‘keeper’s starting place for next season.
Pablo Zabaleta: 8/10
Starting out in his usual right wing-back position, the Argentinian veteran capped off what has been a consistent season for him with a very high-quality performance.
Having started 35/36 league matches, Zabaleta was still as energetic as ever for the Hammers, proving a real help in both a defensive and attacking sense down the right side, getting forward to join attacks and making inroads, remaining solid at the back, he can now enjoy a well-earned rest over the summer and prepare for next season.
Declan Rice: 8/10
Occupying his usual right-sided centre-back role within the system of three central defenders, the 19-year-old Irishman was arguably the Irons’ best defender on the pitch, not for the first time this season.
Looking like he has learnt much from mistakes made over the last couple of weeks, Rice was cool, calm and collected on and off the ball, ending the threat of many Toffees attacks and bringing the ball out of defence comfortably, he was humble whilst being presented with the Young Hammer of the Year after the game and has been named in the latest Republic of Ireland squad.
Angelo Ogbonna: 8/10
Commanding the defensive troops as the most senior figure in the middle, the Italian International ended what has been his best season on Claret & Blue in style with a trademark performance.
The only disappointment for Ogbonna would have been not keeping the clean sheet but much like Adrian, there was very little he could do to stop an excellent piece of skill and finish from Niasse in the penalty area, aside from this, the former Juventus star was a real threat in both boxes, at the pinnacle of his footballing powers.
Aaron Cresswell: 7/10
Finishing a campaign where he has been forced to figure mainly in central defence in that centre-back role, it would be a largely uneventful afternoon for the boyhood Liverpool fan, who would have been delighted to get one over Everton.
Cresswell will be hoping that helping his team to victory and his efforts throughout what has been, for the most part, a consistent and injury-free term, will have been enough to force his way back into Gareth Southgate’s FIFA World Cup plans, but we will have to see when the squad is announced this week.
Arthur Masuaku: 7/10
In his third game since returning to the side having been dropped for Patrice Evra for the Manchester City defeat, the Democratic Republic of Congo International’s afternoon would be ended prematurely.
Masuaku was forced off after 21 minutes with injury having been clipped on the ankles while on the counter-attack, in this time, he looked sharp enough but that isn’t the way he would have wanted his breakthrough season to come to an end.
Mark Noble: 8/10
Featuring in his usual defensive midfield duo alongside Cheikhou Kouyate, the Hammers captain was desperate to sign off a turbulent campaign for him and his team on a high, and did so to great effect.
Noble, enjoying some form at the back end of the term under Moyes, never stopped running for the entirety in the centre, spreading impressive passes back and forth and breaking up opposition play with some cracking tackles, he may now be into his 30s, but the man known as “Mr West Ham,” is still going strong.
Cheikhou Kouyate: 7/10
Partnering his skipper in front of the defence, the Senegal captain was charged with protecting the back-five and providing limited support to stacks with his pace and power against the Toffees.
This was something he characteristically achieved, but secretly, there can be no denying that the injury-prone Kouyate would have been relieved to make it through the game and end the season injury-free as he prepares to lead the Lions of Teranga to Russia, going with momentum and positivity.
Joao Mario: 7/10
Playing with Manuel Lanzini in the two supporting lone striker Marko Arnautovic, the Inter Milan loanee could have been playing for the final time in Caret & Blue and wanted to sign off with a goal or two.
While he couldn’t add to his tally of two goals for the club so far, Mario was a constant presence and handful for the Blue Boys of Merseyside’s back five and then back four to try to deal with, he’s given his all since arriving in January and much like his manager Moyes, will now wait to find out his fate in the summer months, where he is expected to be in Russia with Portugal.
Manuel Lanzini: 9/10
One man whose showing would have almost definitely secured his place on Argentina’s plane to the World Cup is the No10, as he very much saved the best till last in terms of his season.
Lanzini netted twice and picked up the Man of the Match Award, moving his tally for an injury-hit season up to five goals by finishing neatly from the edge of the area to beat Jordan Pickford late in the first half and then adding a second late in the second period, curling into the far top corner from the left cusp of the box. A day later, he was named in the preliminary Argentine squad by manager Jorge Sampaoli.
Marko Arnautovic: 8/10
Playing as a lone striker, up top on his own for the final time in 2017/2018, the Hammer of the Year and top-scorer was out to add to his tally of ten league goals for the campaign and would do this in style.
With his team one goal to the good in the 64th minute, Arnautovic picked up the ball in the Everton half, shrugged off Michael Keane with ease and blasted a firecracker past a dumbfounded Pickford, the Austrian could have got more too, but will have to settle for 11 for his maiden season at London Stadium, he has well and truly paid back his £25 million price tag.
Edimilson Fernandes: 7/10
Acting as the replacement for the injured Masuaku early in the game, the Switzerland International got one final opportunity to impress the Switzerland selectors ahead of the summer’s World Cup.
Fernandes would grab the chance with both hands, putting in a competent performance out of position at left wing-back and even getting an assist to his name, laying off Arnautovic for his goal. When he has been fit this season, the 21-year-old has looked a special prospect.
Pedro Obiang: 7/10
Taking to the field for the first time since collecting a serious knee injury in the Emirates FA Cup away defeat at the DW Stadium, the Spanish midfielder got some valuable game time under his belt.
However, only having six or so minutes on the pitch after replacing Lanzini limited Obiang’s time on the ball and he was only able to take a few touches of it, the aim for him will now be to return to full fitness for the next campaign.
James Collins: 7/10
The latter stages of the one-sided affair were quite rightly dominated by one man in an event that brought the whole of London Stadium to its feet, the introduction of the veteran Welsh defender.
Supporters sung and applauded his name as he entered the field of play and took his first touches, after ten years of loyal service in two spells, that could be the last time that the Claret & Blue Army see the cult hero in action, he is out of contract in the summer and unlikely to be offered a new deal.
So, now that each and every featuring West Ham squad member has been well and truly rated from one of the most enjoyable afternoons of a rocky season for the East London club, will the Claret & Blue stars be able to rack up such high ratings next season? Join us once again in a few months’ time to find out.
If you want to read more about David Moyes’ West Ham United’s Premier League season-ending victory over Sam Allardyce’s Everton, you can, check out the archives of our Live Blog, which we brought live to you from the London Stadium Press Box throughout Sunday afternoon, our Match Report and our Five Main Talking Points, simply click on the links.
