Gonzo hands out his marks
Fabianski: Terrible goalkeeping (must have been something in the Norfolk air) should have resulted in a Norwich goal but Sam Byram handled the ball in the process of scoring. Not much to do otherwise. Redeemed himself in the 90th minute to deny Puki. 6
Coufal: Lucky not to be carded for a nasty foul on Rashica. Important interception late in the first half. Good crossing.6
Dawson: Blocks, headers & tackles as usual, thwarted at least three goal-bound shots on goal. Tenuously won the penalty for West Ham’s 4th. Subbed off for Noble with a possible injury. 8
Zouma: Quiet and steady, clearly still playing through injury. Too good for Puki. 7
Cresswell: Immediately targeted and made an error within the first 30 seconds. Grew into the game and gained confidence as West Ham dominated possession. 6
Rice: Dominated midfield and clearly enjoyed having lanzini alongside him to play pass & move. Finished the game in defence. 7
Lanzini: Good early cross set-up Dawson for a chance. Gave us so much more fluidity with his passing and touch in center midfield. Vintage lanzini in the build-up to the 3rd goal. Scored the 4th from the penalty spot. 8
Fornals:Played as the number 10 and got close to Antonio which definitely benefited the team. Miskicked a good opportunity from 10 yards following an Antonio knockdown. Worked hard but his passing was not really up to standard. Missed an open goal from 5 yards following Cresswell’s cross. 5
Bowen:Started the game looking very sharp. Won a good battle with Brandon Williams & set up the first three goals. Looked to be at his best and completely dominant. 9
Benrahma: Scored the opening goal with a deflected strike. Displayed an amazing piece of ball control at the beginning of the move for our second goal. Scored the third with a good strike following Bowens cross. Played really well but will be disappointed he didn’t convert for his third. Substituted with an injury.9
Antonio:Looked fit and sharp, scored the second goal following another error from Norwich keeper Krul. Had a heavy fall following a robust challenge from former Hammer Sam Byram. Possible rib injury and subsequently replaced by Yarmolenko. 7
Subs
Yarmolenko: Played 45mins in a match we dominated but rarely involved until he produced a glorious flick to set up Benrahma. 6
Noble: 67th min substitute for Craig Dawson. Neat & tidy and kept the game ticking over. 6
You have to say after feeling crushed on Thursday (talking about myself there!), goodness knows how the players must have felt, so to come out fighting and turnover Norwich shows how far we’ve come. Other West Ham teams would have wilted. They do make you proud this bunch. COYI
Vlasic played nearly 20 mins, and in that time did absolutely nothing. Nothing.
And so didn’t even get a mark from Gonzo.
What an absolute toilet signing.
In all honesty mate I’m not entirely sure what he is. He just struggles to really impact the game in either dribbling, passing or shooting.
Never been a fan or the because he scores two goals give him a 9 philosophy. As for Fornals as 5. Guy works his socks off closing down passing lanes . True he needs a wider goal but please. He gets low marks every week. Modern day Ronnie Boyce.
You’re overthinking that one.
You’re suggesting that the bloke who scored a brace should be marked down. Then later wondering why the player who missed from from 5 yards and then completely failed to kick the ball on his other attempt didn’t get a higher rating.
I know how hard Fornals works which is why he was attributed 5 marks. Unfortunately his shooting, passing and dribbling didn’t warrant further points.
I believe everyone should work hard but two goals is pretty good currency in my attempts to assess a game.
As for him never getting good marks….. I gave him 8/10 v Lyon.
Five is fair for Fornals, his work rate is great but not always productive in attack. It’s sad but we all know he nosebleeds in sight of goal, otherwise he would get top marks more regularly. As for Vlasic I don’t ever get what he is trying to do? He is neither busy nor playing to an obvious plan. Without Bowen those two would be lost.