Millwall 2-2 West Ham Player Ratings: Kanté Sees Red in Incredible Comeback

By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)

West Ham somehow escaped The Den with a 2-2 draw after producing an embarrassing first-half performance against Millwall. Having gone into the game knowing victory could send the Hammers into the international break top of the Championship, they were instead outfought, out-thought and completely overwhelmed by the home side’s intensity.

Millwall had warned West Ham to expect an intimidating afternoon at The Den and the Hammers simply didn’t cope with it. They went into the break 2-0 down and were fortunate it wasn’t worse.

Credit where it’s due, Nuno Espírito Santo changed the formation and personnel at half-time and West Ham were a different team. The introduction of Pablo and Mohamadou Kanté helped turn the game, although Kanté’s late red card meant the Hammers had to survive another Millwall onslaught before securing the point.

West Ham player ratings v Millwall

Mads Hermansen – 4

Made a comfortable early save and later an excellent stop from Millwall’s long-throw routine, only for West Ham to fail to clear before the opening goal. However, his decision to charge to the edge of his box earlier was dreadful. Completely missed the ball, clattered into Mavropanos and needed Kilman to clear off the line.

Kyle Walker-Peters – 3

Looked nervous from the start on what has been West Ham’s Achilles heel this season. Struggled with Millwall’s intensity and was part of a team that simply couldn’t progress up the pitch. Hooked at half-time as Nuno changed the system.

Konstantinos Mavropanos – 4

He’s lucky he scored because he was heading towards a very low mark. His passing in the first half was atrocious and his defending wasn’t much better. Allowed Arconte a run at goal and was rescued by Kilman, while Dykes beat him far too easily in the air later.

Made amends to some extent by heading home Solomon’s cross to make it 2-2.

Max Kilman – 5

West Ham’s best defender by some distance. Won an important early aerial duel, cleared off the line after Hermansen’s mistake and repeatedly had to rescue those around him. Even his professional foul late in the game was necessary to prevent another dangerous Millwall counter.

Morato – 2

Handled the occasion worse than any other West Ham player. A horrible cross-field pass almost gifted Millwall a second goal and he looked rattled by the atmosphere and physicality.

Picked up West Ham’s first booking and was fortunate there wasn’t another senior centre-back available to replace him.

Arne Engels – 4

Like most of West Ham’s midfield, he couldn’t get on the ball and influence the game during a dreadful opening 45 minutes. His first corner after the break went straight into Marshall’s arms, although he later had a vicious shot blocked by Cooper. Improved as West Ham improved.

Divine Mukasa – 5

Probably West Ham’s best player during the dreadful opening period. Made several important defensive interventions, including another block just before half-time, and at least attempted to switch the play when he got possession.

Won West Ham’s first corner with a shot after the restart. Surprising to see him substituted given the problems he had helped prevent.

Jarrod Bowen – 4

Completely ineffective in the first half. Marked tightly, booed relentlessly and given very little space to operate.

Became far more dangerous as the game opened up, with his long-range shot spilled by Marshall and several excellent crosses causing problems. His corners were considerably better than Engels’ deliveries.

Manor Solomon – 5

A horrendous first half in which he appeared completely thrown off his game by Millwall’s energy, physicality, tight marking and the atmosphere. Initially moved to left wing-back after the break before eventually going into the middle.

That switch suited him far better and his chipped cross provided the assist for Mavropanos’ equaliser.

Joel Piroe – 2

Barely involved. There were a couple of decent pieces of link-up play very early on and more pressing than we usually see from him, but he and the rest of West Ham’s attack were starved of the ball. Replaced at half-time.

Taty Castellanos – 3

There had been concerns about whether Taty would keep his head in the atmosphere, but that wasn’t really the issue. He simply couldn’t get involved in the game.

Almost reached a Kanté cross late on before being replaced by Lewis Orford once West Ham went down to ten men.

Substitutes

Pablo – 6

Helped change the game. Added some desperately needed physicality to West Ham’s attack and was happy to get involved in wrestling matches with Millwall’s defenders.

That was particularly noticeable after his performance in the Carabao Cup defeat against Fulham. He forced a good save from Marshall with a header and showed excellent control and dribbling on a solo run late on. His hold-up play also helped create Kanté’s goal.

Mohamadou Kanté – 7

Very naughty boy at the end, but I don’t think West Ham claw this game back without him. Brought much-needed physicality and drilled a superb low shot into the bottom corner from distance to make it 2-1.

His 88th-minute red card was deserved after his own poor touch led to him pulling back Lisbie when through on goal. It was a remarkable contribution from a player whose midfield role had changed following the emergence of the Engels-Mukasa partnership.

Edvin Austbø – 4

Played from the left after replacing Mukasa. Produced one excellent effort from more than 30 yards which Marshall had to save, earning West Ham another corner. His return to the squad came after Nuno dismissed suggestions of an issue with the Norwegian before the derby.

Lewis Orford – Unrated

Introduced in the 90th minute after Kanté’s red card as Nuno attempted to see out the final few minutes with ten men.