Lincoln 0-6 West Ham: Player Ratings as Bowen Shines

West Ham United eventually ran out 6-0 winners against Lincoln City, but anyone looking purely at the scoreline might wonder why some of these player ratings are relatively low. The simple answer is that Lincoln were reduced to ten men after two minutes and nine after 22, yet I still thought they were the better team for much of the first half.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side were absolutely dreadful before the break, struggling to string passes together and getting dragged into Lincoln’s agricultural style of football. It took a 44th-minute goal from Konstantinos Mavropanos to finally break the deadlock, despite West Ham having a two-man advantage.

The second half was a completely different story, with Edvin Austbø scoring a sensational goal, Jarrod Bowen helping himself to another and Tomáš Souček grabbing two. However, the result and the performance were always going to be two different considerations.

West Ham Player Ratings v Lincoln City

Mads Hermansen – 6/10

Had next to nothing to do, although I was pleased with his handling of Lincoln’s first long throw in the opening minute. Given how dangerous those deliveries were supposed to be, it was an encouraging start. Otherwise, he was largely a spectator.

Joël Veltman – 5/10

Was on the receiving end of the dreadful challenge that saw Tom Hamer dismissed after just two minutes. Got forward occasionally and combined with Bowen, but West Ham’s passing and movement down the right were nowhere near good enough during the first half.

Konstantinos Mavropanos – 7/10

Scored the crucial opening goal from Bowen’s corner just before half-time. He did give possession away cheaply on 34 minutes and was fortunate that Engels rescued the situation, while his clumsy challenge earned him a booking early in the second half. Nevertheless, his goal was important and he deserves credit for it.

Max Kilman – 6/10

Absolutely fine defensively, although he wasn’t required to do much. I was frustrated by how often West Ham were prepared to concede throw-ins when Lincoln’s long deliveries were clearly their biggest weapon. Got forward regularly, had several attempts at goal and supplied the cross that eventually led to Souček’s second.

Morato – 4/10

Part of a West Ham team that struggled badly to impose itself on nine men. Did get forward towards the end of the first half and attempted to deliver into the penalty area, but there wasn’t enough quality. Replaced at half-time as Nuno changed the intent.

Jarrod Bowen – 7/10

Probably deserves a special mention because he was the one West Ham player who looked capable of causing Lincoln problems even when the rest of the team were absolutely terrible. His delivery for Mavropanos’ opener was excellent, and he was repeatedly the player trying to make something happen.

His second-half effort took a couple of deflections on its way into the net, and he also supplied Souček’s first goal. Even in the first half, when West Ham could barely string two passes together, Bowen was showing more sharpness than anybody else.

Arne Engels – 5/10

Some really poor passing and set-piece deliveries, particularly during the opening half-hour. He also had several speculative attempts from distance, although he deserves credit for rescuing Mavropanos after the defender had given the ball away cheaply.

His excellent slide-rule pass to Bowen for West Ham’s third was probably his best contribution of the evening. Unfortunately, there wasn’t nearly enough of that quality.

Mohamadou Kanté – 5/10

Missed an absolute sitter after 21 minutes, heading well wide from around three yards when completely unmarked. His general performance wasn’t particularly good either, although he was far from alone in that regard.

To be fair, he continually tried to find inventive passes and make things happen around the penalty area. They didn’t always come off, but at least he was trying to create something.

Manor Solomon – 4/10

I thought Solomon had played two decent halves against Queens Park Rangers, but this was a really poor performance. He repeatedly gave the ball away cheaply and completely miscued a volley after an excellent Bowen cross.

Perhaps international duty had taken something out of him, although that’s only speculation. He did improve slightly towards the end of the first half and played a decent ball into Pablo, but overall this was disappointing.

Pablo Felipe – 5/10

Atrocious during the first half, when his touch and general involvement were nowhere near good enough. He had a decent opportunity after combining with Kanté early on but failed to connect properly, and later saw efforts blocked.

Improved after the break and headed home West Ham’s fourth from Austbø’s corner. The goal earns him some credit, but it doesn’t completely erase what went before.

Joël Piroe – 4/10

Barely involved for long periods, although he generally retained possession better than Pablo during the opening half. Tried an ambitious backheel from Bowen’s delivery but couldn’t make proper contact.

Had another opportunity in the 85th minute when Bowen played him through, but his attempted dink over the goalkeeper didn’t come off. A disappointing evening.

West Ham Substitute Ratings

Edvin Austbø – 7/10

An absolutely sensational goal shortly after coming on at half-time. Cutting inside from the left, he struck a swerving, dipping right-footed effort that flew just under the crossbar.

He also played a delicious pass to Taty Castellanos in the build-up to West Ham’s fourth before delivering the corner that Pablo headed home. A very impressive contribution from the Norwegian, who gave West Ham some much-needed attacking quality.

Airidas Golambeckis – 5/10

I want to give Golambeckis a special mention because I really like the look of him. He’s got an excellent first touch, and I was delighted that Nuno gave him an opportunity.

I genuinely believe he’s got a big future in the game. The rating reflects his contribution in a match that was effectively over when he came on, rather than any lack of promise.

Taty Castellanos – 5/10

Combined nicely with Kyle Walker-Peters before hitting a half-volley on target, although the effort lacked power. Also forced the corner that led to Pablo’s goal following an excellent pass from Austbø.

Was involved in the incident preceding Souček’s second, appearing to fall on the Lincoln goalkeeper as he attempted to claim Kilman’s cross.

Kyle Walker-Peters – 5/10

Came on after 65 minutes and combined well with Castellanos for a decent attacking move that ended with a half-volley on target. Also made an important defensive header at the far post during a rare Lincoln counter-attack in the 80th minute.

Tomáš Souček – 7/10

There’s something quite remarkable about Souček. Put him in the middle of the pitch and his first touch and passing technique can desert him. Get him into the penalty area and suddenly he becomes an incredibly clinical finisher.

He started the move for his first goal before receiving Bowen’s pass, taking an excellent touch and producing a beautifully dinked, curled finish.

His second was another example of his instincts around goal, reacting quickly to a loose ball, taking a touch past the goalkeeper and smashing it into the roof of the net. Two goals from the bench and a reminder of just how useful he can be in attacking positions.