West Ham 1-1 Manchester City
Hermansen:10 Beaten in the 31st minute by either a miss hit cross or a the best goal you’ll see all season from Bernardo Silva. Very comfortable with the ball at his feet. First time he had a real save to make was on 60 mins when he pushed Haaland’s shot around the post. Caught the ball when many would have punched on 77 mins. Tipped a freekick onto the bar. A magnet for the ball.
Wan Bissaka:7 Managed to have West Ham’s first venture forward after 13 mins of a very one-sided opening, Won the ball well from Haaland but referee Michael Oliver gave a freekick against West Ham which is entirely consistent with how he ran the game giving City a series a small decisions. Almost cost us a goal with a silly drag back just before half time. Repeated the same error on the hour as City looked to crowd and press him in possession. Given a different challenge when Doku was brought on.
Mavropanos:10 Sprinted into midfield to make tackles on a few occasions. Scored with our first attempt of the game after 35mins with a thumping header from Bowen’s corner. His statistics will be insane. Probably knocked out blocking a Haaland shot from point blank range.
Disasi:8 Probably the least active of the three central defenders but no less important.
Todibo:10 Tried to win the ball early where possible. Conceded a lot of corners but not much else he could do. Outstanding in possession at times and not afraid to get forward. Just seemed to read the game better than everyone lese.
Diouf:8 Defended the first corner of the game well. Improving all the time. Cleared off the line on 83 mins.
Soucek:8 Made 3 crucial defensive headers in the first ten minutes. He was everywhere.
Fernandes:7 Just not able to get on the ball such was the Hammers lack of possession. Wonderful tackle on Foden seemed like an important moment but gave away too many freekicks.
Bowen:7 Like many West Ham players was fouled without consequence from a very dubious refereeing performance. Worked very hard. Brushed himself off to provide a wonderful corner to assist Mavropanos.
Pablo:6 Deployed on the left side of a front 3 with huge defensive responsibilities. Worked so hard he looked knackered after 20 mins. Excellent tackling but lacked the pace and attacking awareness to really threaten City’s goal. Heavily involved as West Ham finished the first half strongly. A puzzle wrapped in an enigma. No idea what to make of him to be honest but the team undoubtedly benefit from his attributes.
Castellanos:6 Didn’t really get a touch of the ball as City had 95% possession in the early parts of the game. Worked hard but not fantastic when he did get the ball.
West Ham 1-1 Manchester City: Soucek was everywhere for West Ham
Substitutes
Magassa:6 Replaced the knackered Pablo after 63 mins. Excellent defending on 93 mins.
Traore:6 Subbed on for the hard working Taty after 73 mins. His pace up front was a useful outlet.
Kante: On for Bowen 94 mins
Pablo could be our Joelinton albeit a bit of a pound shop(or 20 mil in todays money) one at the minute.The toon didn’t make much of JL as a striker but converted deeper he’s effective.
Diouf had his best game for us,he’s a defender not a wing back and played like one. As for AWB,awful.Lost the ball countless times and poor challenges,out of position for their goal havening lost the ball.Scarles got chastised for one bad kick AWB far worse. 4.
The back 3 all excellent as were Bowen,Fernandes. Like you Pablo is not quality same with Taty but it got us a point.
Every point counts.
COYI !
Apart from Fernandes who would also give an 8 or 9 too, he made some magnificent tackles as well as the few he mistimed. Let’s be honest all the players left it all out on the field against a team that were levels above skill wise. Immense effort if only we had a tiny bit more pace up front we could have hurt them 2 or 3 times on the counter.
As in Summerville.
As in the Bowen of last season.
Haaland was in despair, shaking his head, sitting on the ground and finally stood on touchline rubbing his nuts.
Looked to be having a disgruntled conversation with Foden at the end.
Great point for which most had it down as a loss game.
Pep’s ears (with that phone) must have been burning at what he was seeing in disbelief.
Onward and upward.
Spurs loss would complete a good weekend.
Bring on Villa.
In a one-sided game, that was a heroic defense by West Ham to secure a golden point.