Impressive Zabaleta – The Best And The Worst Rated West Ham United Players vs Swansea

Full Time: West Ham United 1-0 Swansea City

West Ham United left it late to clinch three points against Swansea City, as they defeated Paul Clement’s side 1-0, at the London Stadium, on Saturday. 

It was very much a scrappy affair with neither side able to create anything meaningful in the attacking third although both goalkeepers were forced into early saves in the first period. After a rather tepid first-half, the second period too lacked any incisiveness from both the Hammers and the Swans, until Andy Carroll struck the crossbar, before substitute Diafra Sakho tucked home an Arthur Masuaku cross to hand Slaven Bilic’s side their second win of the Premier League season. 

Here’s how the West Ham players fared on the day; 

West Ham United Player Ratings

Joe Hart – 6/10

Made a strong save to deny Wilfried Bony fifteen minutes into the game. Wasn’t called upon much after that.  

Pablo Zabaleta – 7.5/10

Showed great desire and fight throughout the game. Always looking to run up the flank or find a teammate upfield, while never getting exposed at the back. 

Jose Fonte – 6.5/10

Marshaled the backline fairly well. Was calm and composed when needed to be and held things tight.  

Winston Reid – 7/10

Apart from one single occasion, the New Zealand international kept Swans’ striker Tammy Abraham under check all game long.  

Aaron Cresswell – 5/10

Struggled, especially in the first 45 minutes. Offered very little going forward and looked vulnerable at the back.  

Michail Antonio – 5.5/10

Passed a late fitness test to get a start, but the Englishman looked rusty. Worked really hard but to little avail. 

Cheikhou Kouyate – 6/10

Just like many of his teammates, did not have the best of the first period. Not always assuring when in possession, rash at times. Improved after the break. 

Mark Noble – 4/10

Poor. Was a passenger in the middle of the park and the game seemed to just pass him by. Almost scored an own-goal with a sliced clearance.  

Andre Ayew – 5/10

Started off fairly well and was involved in a couple of decent moves, but faded as the game wore on. Subbed off for Masuaku. 

Andy Carroll – 7/10

Caused all sorts of trouble to the Swansea backline with his strength and physicality. Unlucky to have hit the woodwork with five minutes left on the clock. 

Javier Hernandez – 6/10

Worked hard, but wasn’t his usual buzzy self at the top. Tended to drop too deep at times, from where he could not have a great say on things.  

Substitutes

Manuel Lanzini – 7/10

Replaced Noble in the 62nd minute and showed what exactly the Hammers’ were missing in his absence. Made some driving forward runs and added much more purpose to the midfield.  

Diafra Sakho – 7/10

Came on to boos, to replace Hernandez, but left the ground as the hero as he smashed home in the 90th minute to snatch the three points.  

Arthur Masuaku – 7/10

Replaced Ayew with 12 minutes left and added much more threat on the left-flank. Sent in some dangerous crosses into the box, one of which Carroll hit the post from and the other Sakho scored off.