Hammers ratings and match verdict V WBA

 

Hugh hands out the marks

 

Adrian: No chance with the goal and little else to concern him – confident on most that came his way 6

Zabaleta: Another Steady Eddie performance from the veteran – kept it simple and was always constructive 6

Reid: Badly at fault for the goal when standing off and looks just another defender rather than the main man these days 4

Ogbonna: Failed to see and do much to help on the goal and often uncertain and nervous  5

Cresswell: Got forward well and provided a great cross for the goal. Decent at the back 6

Obiang: Little impact either defensively or offensively – needs to show much more 4

Kouyate: Where has the high energy midfielder gone – almost anonymous for long periods 4

Masuaku: Some thrilling runs but found some stout defending on the way – always excites 6

Lanzini: Outstanding performance at the heart of all our good stuff 7

Arnautovic: The guy’s on a high…willing, determined, never stops running and there are no lost causes – what Antonio used to be 7

Carroll: Two fabulous goals with head and foot. Everything you want from a striker as I eat acres of humble pie. 9

Subs:

Noble: Made a big difference when coming on after the break. His range of passing really got us on the move 7

Chicharito: Remains a fringe figure and offered little – the German experience looks to have taken the edge off him 4

Rice: Involved in an oustanding piece of solo work and must b seriously difficult to keep him out of the team – top performance over limited period 7

VERDICT: It was never pretty and we made hard work of it for long periods but it all came right in the end at the death courtesy of two great goals from Andy Carroll – the winner arriving in the 94th minute. What shone through beyond that was the spirit which has been present since David Moyes took over. Yes, there’s still a distinct lack of quality and our inability to press games is nerve shredding at times but we never say die and Arnautovic’s non stop effort typifies what we are all about these days. Mark Noble gets too much stick and showed when arriving as sub in the second half that his range of passing is still seriously required. The win lifted us into 16th place with the game in hand against Spurs to come on Thursday. Given our approach to such matches I certainly won’t be backing against us.