Fullkrug totally invisible, Bowen dazzles – West Ham player ratings v Brighton
Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen’s performances were worlds apart as West Ham drew 1-1 with Brighton on Saturday.
Mats Wieffer scored the opener at the London Stadium on 21 December following a stale first half, with Mohammed Kudus evening up the score just seven minutes later.
The Hammers had plenty of chances to secure all three points but could not make their chances count as Julen Lopetegui’s side shared the points with the Seagulls.
West Ham Zone ranked each player out of 10.
Lukasz Fabianski – 4
Has been rightly praised over the last few weeks since taking over from Alphonse Areola but has nowhere to hide after being bullied by Lewis Dunk in the air. Had to be stronger for Brighton’s goal.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7
Wan-Bissaka was a must-need addition to the starting XI ahead of the clash, with the threat of coming up against Kaoru Mitoma. Kept the Japan international quiet all afternoon.
Konstantinos Mavropanos (Off for Jean-Clair Todibo 46′) – 4
Was unlucky to pick up a yellow card but was walking a tightrope after that, attempting to run the ball out of the defence and losing it on each occasion. Rightly taken off at the break.
Max Kilman – 6
The much stronger of the centre-back partnership, especially when covering for Mavropanos but could not do anything to avoid Wieffer’s opening goal.
Emerson (Off for Vladimir Coufal 71′) – 7
Created plenty of chances down the left flank from full-back, making more of an impact than teammate Kudus in the final third, at least until the winger hit the back of the net.
Edson Alvarez (Off for Guido Rodriguez 90′) – 6
A much better display in the middle of the park from the Mexican, having to hold down the fort when Paqueta and Soucek marauded forward.
Tomas Soucek – 6
Soucek struggled to get involved as he usually does. While he was strong in his challenges, winning the ball back, his distribution was too sloppy and the final ball seemed to evade him.
Jarrod Bowen stuns in West Ham United draw v Brighton
Jarrod Bowen – 8
As always, constantly a threat for Lopetegui’s side and his effort finally paid after being moved centrally, with Kudus pouncing on his parried shot to equalise just seven minutes after Brighton’s goal.
Lucas Paqueta (Off for Oliver Scarles 70′) – 4
Having picked up a needless yellow card in the first half, it was a surprise to see Paqueta remain on the pitch for as long as he did, with his teammates often running past him into the final third or back into a defensive shape.
Mohammed Kudus – 7
Worked tirelessly to keep up with Bowen, and with the captain placed up front in the second half, his energy finally paid off, heading home after Verbruggen could only parry a shot into his path.
Niclas Fullkrug (Off for Crysencio Summerville 57′) – 2
The German was completely invisible during his first start for the Hammers, barely touching the ball in the opening 45 minutes and deservedly being hooked before the hour-mark.
Substitutions
Jean-Clair Todibo (On for Mavropanos 46′) – 5
Played Dunk onside for the Seagulls’ opening goal but cannot be totally at fault for the situation.
Crysencio Summerville (On for Fullkrug 57′) – 5
Didn’t have much impact on the ball but the thought of him added plenty of threat for the Seagulls’ defence.
Oliver Scarles (On for Paqueta 70′) – N/A
Vladimir Coufal (On for Emerson 71′) – N/A
Guido Rodriguez (On for Alvarez 90′) – N/A
In other West Ham news, an on-loan star has admitted uncertainty over his Hammers future, “Not in my hands”.
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