By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
West Ham were probably the better team at Vicarage Road, but not by enough to say they deserved to win.
The Hammers responded well after going behind and enjoyed plenty of possession, corners and promising positions without having the creative ingenuity to unlock Watford through central areas.
Nuno did at least reward Airidas Golambeckis with his full Championship debut following his excellent performance at Southampton, and the youngster was comfortably West Ham’s biggest positive.
West Ham Player Ratings
Mads Hermansen: 5
Will probably be disappointed with Watford’s opening goal, which seemed to loop beyond him almost in slow motion. Made a smart low save during Watford’s flurry of chances immediately afterwards.
Did well late on to deal with two dangerous corners, including one from Traoré which was swinging towards goal.
Joël Veltman: 5
Started impressively and played in a very advanced position early on, including one lovely cross towards Bowen.
However, he was reluctant to get tight to Nabizada, who caused him problems and was clearly Watford’s main threat. Veltman faded somewhat as the game progressed, although his task became easier when his opposite number was withdrawn after an hour.
Made an important late block from Bravo.
It was a considerable drop from his outstanding display at Southampton.
Max Kilman: 7
Had a couple of nervy moments early on, including completely misjudging the flight of the ball before Golambeckis bailed him out.
Produced a lovely Cruyff turn moments later to escape the Watford press. Settled down after that and was actually one of West Ham’s better and steadier performers.
Had a difficult late effort following a corner.
Airidas Golambeckis: 8
Sensational at times and my best player.
Settled himself with an early clearing header and repeatedly read the game superbly. Covered Kilman following an early mistake, produced several important clearances and blocks and looked incredibly composed on the ball.
His anticipation was particularly impressive, often stepping in front of Watford attackers without even needing to make a tackle.
Continued in exactly the same manner after half-time and defended well at the back post from Watford’s first corner.
This wasn’t a performance that came from nowhere either. Golambeckis had already made a compelling case for more first-team football at Southampton, where his reading of the game and growing confidence stood out.
Two excellent performances in a row now and Nuno has a very interesting decision to make.
Kyle Walker-Peters: 6
Not the easiest game playing in the unfamiliar left-back role.
Was involved in some decent link-up play with Solomon and made an important block during Watford’s spell of pressure after the opening goal.
His defending improved as the game progressed and he produced some intelligent last-man defending to stop a dangerous late counter-attack.
Arne Engels: 5
Quietly effective and showed good energy.
Produced a wonderful free-kick on 24 minutes which dissected the Watford defence, but Veltman couldn’t direct it towards goal. Also contributed an important block during Watford’s first-half onslaught.
His set-piece delivery is impressive and I’m quite sure he’ll get multiple assists this season but he’ll need to improve to justify the price tag.
Mohamadou Kanté: 6
Excellent early on, breaking up play four times inside the opening five minutes.
Won the ball from Bove before being cynically fouled as West Ham looked to counter, earning the Watford player a yellow card.
His technique can sometimes frustrate in terms of his first touch and passing, but his work winning the ball back and in the duels was impressive.
Fired over following a good West Ham move after 22 minutes.
Divin Mukasa: 5
His influence grew as the first half progressed and some of his link-up play with Veltman was impressive.
Didn’t have the impact he managed against Southampton and wasn’t at his best, but remains one of the few players capable of offering some creativity through central areas.
After his excellent performance at St Mary’s, this was another useful experience for the youngster at Championship level. That said, the weather conditions probably didn’t suit his game.
Manor Solomon: 6
Produced one impressive early dribble and gradually became more influential as the match went on.
Combined well with Walker-Peters and forced West Ham’s first shot on target following good work from Bowen.
Increasingly looked like the player most likely to create something, although Watford handled both him and Bowen well.
Needs more help around him.
Jarrod Bowen: 6
Watford clearly identified him as West Ham’s main danger and frequently doubled up on the Hammers captain.
Started getting on the ball more towards the end of the first half and produced a couple of decent right-footed crosses.
Did remarkably well after the break to beat two players before creating the chance which eventually fell to Solomon. A clever reverse pass also created an opportunity for Castellanos.
Lots of touches and certainly tried to make things happen, but would benefit enormously from having more creativity around him.
Taty Castellanos: 6
Hardly involved during the opening stages but deserves enormous credit for West Ham’s equaliser.
Refused to give up as Watford attempted to shepherd the ball out, somehow retrieved it and fired the cross into the danger area which resulted in Matty Pollock’s own goal.
Won’t get the goal himself, but it was entirely created by his hard work.
Forced another corner after the break following Bowen’s reverse pass.
Airidas Golambeckis impressed for West Ham in place of Mavromapnos.
Substitutes
Lewis Orford: 5
Replaced Kanté on 64 minutes.
Picked up some neat target-man play from Piroe on 71 minutes before curling just wide from around 20 yards.
After running the midfield against Southampton, he wasn’t able to have the same influence from the bench.
Joel Piroe: 5
Replaced Mukasa on 64 minutes and was immediately involved, taking Bowen’s pass before slicing his left-footed shot well wide.
Produced some decent target-man play to create Orford’s opportunity and later made an important block following a Watford corner.
Ollie Scarles: Unrated
Replaced Walker-Peters on 85 minutes.
Not on long enough to fairly rate.
| Pos | Club | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Cardiff City | 3 | 3 |
| 14 | Sheffield United | 3 | 3 |
| 15 | Portsmouth | 3 | 3 |
| 15 | Norwich City | 3 | 3 |
| 17 | Lincoln City | 3 | 3 |
| 18 | Southampton | 3 | 2 |
| 19 | West Ham United | 3 | 2 |
| 20 | Wrexham | 3 | 2 |
| 21 | Derby County | 3 | 1 |
| 22 | Burnley | 3 | 1 |
| 23 | Preston North End | 3 | 0 |
| 24 | Stoke City | 3 | 0 |
Whu have fire power especially with addition of Austbo joining.
They need to get on front foot and move away from the trait of conceding early.
Nuno knows what to do but still continues to shrink into his shell.
Did make progress with his momentum and managed 4 thumbs up don’t want to over do it.
Not doing enough to convince fans.
Let’s see what happens when squad is complete with these 5 new signings.
Hopefully he won’t use excuse that he didn’t get Nelson (may still arrive).
Good for Golambeckis to continue with his progression.
Organisation from manager wins games just look at Spurs losing 2-0 against Newcastle.
Add de Zerbie to managers available.
Golambeckis was great. I was worried because he looks small for a centre back but the lad is so good on the ball he reminds me of a young Rio Ferdinand when he first came into the West Ham team. Not the finished article but impressive nonetheless
Pay Eddie Howe £12m a season and get rid of Nuno it’s the best money we could spend, he will build a team and stay he also buys well and develops players,
We are all fed up of watching this dross and while you are at Kretinsky get Staveley in she is a winner and actually shows up for the team instead of being absent and devoid of ideas like you are !!!
Nuno is massively under pressure. I thought he needed to win 3 of the first 5 league games and that now isn’t possible. Each team he puts out is different which proves he doesn’t know his best 11. After all this time he must have surely had a plan of what that first team looked like and the approach it would need to win games.
I can’t see him lasting at this rate but not sure what the alternative is. I’m a believer that getting Robson with Potts in charge should yield results. The academy has an identity and they are well coached. That can’t be said for the first team. That squad is far better than it’s results and the performances so it comes down to the manager for me.
No sign of Ajala after a brace earlier in the week? Deserved a run out for at least 30 mins
A high possession figure but lacking the end product, hence no first league win. Need to do better.