Mixed Day For Cresswell As Arnautovic Grinds And The Rest Of West Ham’s Squad Rated From The Man City Defeat
It’s now time to analyse West Ham United player performance from the disastrous 1-4 thrashing by Pep Guardiola’s title-winning Manchester City at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as David Moyes’ men put in a sorry display to slip to go four matches without a win and pick up a number of unwanted records in the process, including the worst defence in the league.
Adrian San-Miguel: 7/10
Returning between the sticks in place of Joe Hart, the Spaniard was keen to impress in order to try to hold down a place in the team for next weekend’s league clash with Leicester City and let four goals go by him.
However, the shot-stopper couldn’t be faulted for any of them, unfortunate with the self-inflicted first two City strikes and powerless to stop the second two as they were formed of true attacking genius from the visitors, an impressive save to deny the ever-present Raheem Sterling at the end of the first half will hold him in good stead, Moyes has a decision to make in the coming days.
Pablo Zabaleta: 6/10
Starting against the club he left on a free transfer at the end of the last campaign, the Argentine veteran endured one of his tougher afternoons in Claret & Blue after what has been a largely consistent season for him.
Despite a composed performance in the right wing-back role, Zabaleta will only be remembered for one thing during the one-sided contest, his first-half own-goal to double the advantage of the visitors, as unfortunate as they come with Declan Rice’s deflection brushing off him on its way in after Kevin De Bruyne’s low delivery, he won’t be wanting to remember that for a very long time.
Declan Rice: 6/10
Turning out in his usual role as a right centre-back within the back five for the fifth time in succession, the Republic of Ireland International made a costly error for the second consecutive week.
De Bruyne’s 27th minute cross went in off Rice despite a faint touch from Zabaleta, although he would have done exceptionally well to get out of the way of from that angle, given the slight tough it got from Adrian, he had a few shaky moments after this, but for the most part was his usual solid self, just days after being crowned young Hammer of the Year once again at West Ham’s 61st annual Player Awards.
Angelo Ogbonna: 7/10
Acting as the centre pivot of the three centre-halves system, the Italian International has done his FIFA World Cup chances no harm in the last few months and could not be held accountable for his side’s shoddy defensive display.
Ogbonna made numerous key blocks and clearances, most notable denying Sterling after he had rounded Adrian in the first period and dominated at the back in an aerial sense, playing it out from the back well also, though he would have hoped to have been able to help his teammates out more.
Aaron Cresswell: 6/10
Just to the left of Ogbonna from the start was the England International, who endured an up and down outing, for sure, earing himself mixed reviews in the freezing temperatures at London Stadium.
The obvious highlight of the 90 minutes for Cresswell was his 42nd-minute free-kick to peg the champions back to 2-1, but his first goal in over two years wasn’t enough to inspire his team to a comeback, aside from this, the versatile Englishman was called out for his defensive performance, struggling to cope with the likes of Steeling and Gabriel Jesus, but then again, like so many others this season.
Patrice Evra: 6/10
Replacing the dropped Arthur Masuaku in the starting Xl to feature from the beginning for the third time for the Hammers, the French defender and former player of City’s rivals Manchester United, looked a tad off the pace of the proceedings.
Evra only lasted 66 minutes and his most recognisable contribution to the match was accidentally deflecting a routine Leroy Sane shot from range past the reach of, an unfortunate mistake that set City off on the winning trail, the Irons have lost 4-1 each and every time that he has started since arriving in February.
Cheikhou Kouyate: 6/10
Feathering alongside his captain Mark Noble in a defensive midfield duo, the Senegal captain came under heavy fire from supporters and pundits alike for his under-par showing, not for the first time this term.
Kouyate looked to be lacking energy and determination in midfield, letting one too many opposition attacks pass by him and when he did get forward, offered very little in an attacking sense, although this could have something to with his lengthy injury stoppage in the opening 45, his underwhelming season so far continues.
Mark Noble: 6/10
Partnering Kouyate in the centre of the field, the club captain has worked hard to regain his reputation under Moyes and the theme of working hard would be carried on against the Sky Blues.
Noble was ever-active in midfield, breaking down countless opposition attacks and starting plenty for his side, but he couldn’t sustain it for the full 90 minutes despite impressive energy levels for a player of his age, wilting towards the end, the proud skipper would have been ashamed at the overall team performance.
Edimilson Fernandes: 7/10
Slightly further forward and in support of lone striker Marko Arnautovic, the Swiss International has enjoyed a laudable run of matches in the team of late and that doesn’t look to be changing with his Sunday display.
Despite being sacrificed early in the second period once again, Fernandes was something of a shining light in attacking midfield, getting all over the pitch and keeping himself busy, even helping out the defence on occasion and giving the Citizens’ defenders something to worry about, the youngster still has plenty of potential.
Manuel Lanzini: 6/10
Making his full comeback from an injury that he picked up while on International duty with Argentina, “The Jewel” was rather quiet and infective during his 66 minutes on the field.
Lanzini came off to boos as part of the triple substitution just after the Manchester club’s fourth goal, whether they were directed at him or the decision is unknown, although the No10 did give the ball away directly leading to the goal, he will look to dust himself down and come back stronger.
Marko Arnautovic: 7/10
Occupying his accustomed single forward role just days after being crowned the Hammer of the Year, the Austrian International still managed to shine, even in a 1-4 loss.
Arnautovic looked a threat each time the hosts got forward, albeit a rare commodity throughout the contest, and wouldn’t have felt like he should have had his first-half goal ruled out for a foul as he pressured Ederson into giving the ball away and finished home in to the empty net, what a few months it has been for him.
Arthur Masuaku: 6/10
As part of the three substitutions just before the 70-minute mark and fresh from being dropped from the start, it was a very challenging game for the Democratic Republic of Congo International to enter and have an impact on.
Masuaku did threaten to embark on a few of his trademark runs down the left flank, but never got very far, quickly snuffed out by a compact Citizens defence, the former Olympiacos man will be desperately hoping to return to the team next time out.
Joao Mario: 6/10
Another man to lose his place for this match after a questionable showing against Arsenal last weekend was the Inter Milan loanee, who was introduced as an impact substitution.
In truth, Mario had very little impact, seeing very little, if any of the ball and having no attacks to contribute to, his Hammers career could only have three matches left and he will be keen to get back into the side for them and try to tempt the club into a permanent move for him.
Javier Hernandez: 6/10
Coming on at the same time as his two comrades, the Mexican International is still yet to start since his illness after the most recent International break and the frustration is clear to see in his body language.
Much like his two comrades, it was barely noticeable that Chicharito had entered the field despite his best efforts and at times, he did cut a disinterested and lonely figure on the pitch, the future is uncertain for the “Little Pea.”
So, now that each and every featuring West Ham United squad member has been rated from one of the lesser team performances of the 2017/2018 season so far, will the Claret & Blue Army be able to rack up higher points come next weekend? After they have travelled to the King Power Stadium in the league to face off with Claude Puel’s Foxes? Join us once again then to find out.
If you want to read more about West Ham United’s Premier League defeat to Manchester City at London Stadium on Sunday afternoon, you can check out the archives of our live text commentary, which we bright to you live from the Press Bix of the former Olympic Stadium, or our Match Report or Five Main Talking Points, simply click on the links.
