Gonzo hands out the marks
Areola:6 Had to divert a dangerous cross after Johnson lost his marker. Caught the ball a couple of times but Larnaca barely threatened even when 11 v 11.
Johnson:6 Caught ball watching early in the game. Did considerably better than Kehrer last week.
Zouma:6 Pipe and slippers time for Zouma who had little to do.
Ogbonna:6 Cruised through the game and could have taken the rest of the night off once Larnaca were reduced to 10 men.
Cresswell:7 Assisted Bowen for the Hammers third. Untroubled and got forward frequently.
Soucek 7: Played a holding midfield role. Assisted Mubama with a header from a corner.
Lanzini – makes the Irons tick
Lanzini:8 Lanzini makes West Ham tick. Shame he’s not featured more this season.
Paqueta:6 Attempted some difficult passes but his radar was a little off to begin with.
Bowen:8 Scored West Ham’s second just after half time following a Scamacca shot. Scored again with a wonderfully inventive header.
Fornals:8 Played more centrally than I expected and he was heavily involved. Hit the bar with a long-range curling effort. Demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship by trying to dissuade the referee from dismissing an opposition player who’d fouled him.
Scamacca:7 Scored in the 20th min, goalkeeper should have done better but great to see the £35m man smiling again. Created a goal for Bowen with a snap shot.
Cornet: 53rd min sub for Bowen. Looked rusty which is to be expected but he’s quick and will help the team if he stays fit.
Mubama: Replaced Paqueta as part of a triple substitution. Provided the moment of the night when he scored a poachers goal and West Ham’s 4th.
Ings: On for Scamacca
Potts: On for Soucek in the 68th min. Neat and tidy performance.
Laing: Replaced Zouma and made an early impression with a smart pass.
I think Lanzini is a player that allows us to keep possession and he always wants to pass forward. I would love to see Moyes start him in a midfield 3 with Paqueta and Rice not out wide. I just live the energy Fornals brings he was not at his absolute best tonight but still gave everything. I think Johnson could do with a drop down to championship football as I unfortunately dont see why people think he Is PL standard.
I must say I am really sad at all of the adverse comments about Johnson lately, although I can see why given his lack of pace. I have been an advocate of his and admired his versatility for the team, which has almost been his undoing. Ben has never had a run in the team at any position, he is parachuted in for a game at a time at either full back or centre and I feel judged very harshly on those individual games. I wonder if he ever got 5 consecutive games at R/B how he would do, positioning and crossing etc. If he can’t get that, then perhaps as others have said, he should move on. For me, he has performed as asked, but not focused enough on one role. Sad to hear the harsh write- offs.