Swansea 0-1 West Ham: Player Ratings as Mukasa Makes The Difference

West Ham secured a hugely important victory away to Championship leaders Swansea City, with Divine Mukasa scoring the only goal of the game. It was hardly a dominant performance from Nuno Espírito Santo’s side, but there were some excellent individual displays, particularly from Mohamadou Kanté and the defenders.

Swansea enjoyed the majority of possession and put West Ham under considerable pressure, particularly towards the end of the first half. However, for all their dominance of the ball, the hosts were incredibly inefficient in front of goal, while West Ham wasted several glorious opportunities to extend their lead.

Having identified this fixture as a significant test of West Ham’s promotion credentials, I thought the Hammers stood up reasonably well to the challenge. There were certainly some mixed performances, but three players stood out sufficiently to earn sevens.

West Ham Player Ratings v Swansea City

Mads Hermansen – 6/10

He’ll be delighted with another clean sheet, although Swansea were so inefficient in front of goal that he wasn’t called upon to make many saves. Did well to punch clear under pressure early on and produced an excellent piece of goalkeeping just before half-time when he sprinted off his line to collect a dangerous ball. His distribution also helped launch attacks.

Joël Veltman – 6/10

Showed his experience at times, particularly during the early stages when he combined nicely with Jarrod Bowen down the right. Produced an excellent cross after 11 minutes that Pablo really should have attacked better. Became less involved as the game wore on and needed Mavropanos to bail him out defensively on one occasion.

Konstantinos Mavropanos – 7/10

A couple of outstanding pieces of one-on-one defending from the Greek international, who was having a relatively uneventful afternoon compared with Max Kilman. That’s unusual because it’s normally Dinos who finds himself in the spotlight.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t resist blotting his copybook in the 65th minute with a ridiculously careless pass that gifted Swansea a corner. It was completely unnecessary, and he seems to have one of those moments in almost every game. Nevertheless, a very good defensive performance overall.

Max Kilman – 6/10

Certainly had a more eventful afternoon than his central defensive partner. Started by twisting and turning his way out of Swansea’s high press, which was a real hearts-in-mouth moment, although he eventually found Solomon.

Made some important blocks and covered well when Ronald threatened down the wing. However, he also had a difficult spell towards the end of the first half, missing a tackle on Adam Idah and surviving a penalty appeal following another challenge. A mixed afternoon.

Morato – 7/10

One of West Ham’s more influential players. He seemed quite happy to play the pantomime villain and certainly wasn’t afraid to resort to some of the dark arts when dealing with Swansea’s Yeo.

He’s never going to be the greatest attacking full-back because he’s fundamentally a central defender, but I thought he played his part extremely well. He was heavily involved in the physical battle, although Swansea’s pace down that side occasionally caused problems.

Arne Engels – 6/10

A mixed performance in possession, particularly early on when he won the ball in an excellent position but failed to release Pablo with his pass. Another poor delivery towards Kanté followed shortly afterwards.

However, his defensive contribution was significant. He made a good number of important tackles and clearances, putting in plenty of work without the ball. Those defensive contributions were enough to earn him a six.

Mohamadou Kanté – 7/10

A real physical handful for Swansea throughout his time on the pitch. He was aggressive, energetic and constantly chasing opponents, making life extremely uncomfortable for the home side.

Combined well with Pablo in the build-up to Mukasa’s goal and created another glorious opportunity for the striker in the second half. Also produced important defensive blocks when Swansea were applying pressure. One of West Ham’s best performers before being replaced by Edvin Austbø after 68 minutes.

Divine Mukasa – 6/10

Scored the winning goal with an excellent left-footed finish after Kanté picked him out in the Swansea penalty area. It was West Ham’s first shot of the game and came at a time when neither side had managed an effort.

Aside from the goal, I thought Mukasa was neat and tidy at times without being massively involved. He did produce an absolute peach of a pass to release Bowen in the second half, although the resulting opportunity for Castellanos was ruled offside. Replaced by Tomáš Souček.

Jarrod Bowen – 5/10

Not his most influential game, although he certainly had his moments. His early free-kick failed to beat the first man, and he wasted a very promising first-half opportunity when his pass towards an unmarked Solomon was badly misplaced.

Improved in the second half, forcing a couple of good saves from Lawrence Vigouroux. He also produced an absolutely scintillating run before setting up Solomon, who somehow managed to send his shot miles over the bar. There were flashes of quality, but not enough consistency.

Manor Solomon – 4/10

Personally, I thought he was fortunate to start ahead of Edvin Austbø, who had made such an impact against Lincoln City.

Solomon produced a few nice pieces of slalom running but never really imposed himself on the game. His finishing was particularly disappointing, none more so than when Bowen squared the ball to him around 16 yards from goal and he produced something resembling a rugby conversion. By that stage, he was operating in the number 10 role. Replaced by Joël Piroe.

Pablo – 4/10

Worked hard and was involved in the build-up to Mukasa’s goal, but his overall performance was extremely disappointing.

His first touch became increasingly clumsy, his passing was inconsistent and he struggled to get his shots away. The worst moment came in the 58th minute when Kanté presented him with the sort of opportunity strikers dream about. Less than ten yards from goal, with the goalkeeper at his mercy, Pablo fired straight against Vigouroux’s legs.

A really poor miss. Replaced by Taty Castellanos on the hour.

West Ham Substitute Ratings

Taty Castellanos – 5/10

Replaced Pablo after 60 minutes. Had an opportunity to score following excellent work from Mukasa and Bowen but shot straight at the goalkeeper, although the move was subsequently ruled offside. Did contribute to a promising counter-attack in stoppage time.

Edvin Austbø – 5/10

Replaced Kanté after 68 minutes. Showed some nice touches, particularly during a late counter-attack when he combined with Castellanos before helping create an opportunity for Piroe.

Tomáš Souček – 5/10

Introduced in the latter stages as West Ham looked to protect their advantage. Not enough time to make a particularly significant impression.

Joël Piroe – 5/10

Another late introduction who had limited time to influence proceedings. Did get an opportunity in the 92nd minute following a promising West Ham counter-attack, but his effort went narrowly wide.