Pete Hanson

Sun 3 December 2023 15:56, UK

West Ham missed the chance to chalk up a third straight Premier League victory as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace at the London Stadium on Sunday (3 December).

Mohammed Kudus was on target as the Hammers went into half-time a goal to the good, with Alphonse Areola barely tested in the home goal.

But the hosts struggled to impact the game after the break and a costly Konstantinos Mavropanos error led to a Palace equaliser.

Here West Ham Zone rates the Irons players out of 10 for their performances against Palace.

Alphonse Areola – 5

Did nothing wrong in the home goal and was a bystander in a first half in which Palace failed to get a shot on target. The visitors improved in the second half but there was little the Frenchman could do to prevent the equalising goal.

Vladimir Coufal – 6

Grabbed the assist for Kudus’ goal, a valuable contribution in a tight game that ultimately provided a huge moment for his side. But struggled at times, completing only 35 of his 49 passes.

Konstantinos Mavropanos – 3

Had been playing pretty steady at the heart of the Hammers backline, and was only playing with Kurt Zouma unavailable due to a family matter. But the Greek centre-back was guilty of a horrendous error, not looking when trying to play a pass to Aguerd and Edouard pounced before clinically finding the bottom-right corner. A moment to forget.

Nayef Aguerd – 4

While the blame does lie with Mavropanos for the equaliser, Aguerd did not cover himself in glory either. The Morocco international could perhaps have done more to reach the ball in the first instance then backed off Edouard far too much, allowing the striker time to drive at goal and get his shot away.

Emerson Palmieri – 4

Not the Italian full-back’s best game in a West Ham by any stretch. Offered little to the cause going forward, bar making one key pass, and gave away possession 15 times. Moyes would have wanted a little bit more from the defender, who missed a gilt-edged chance just after the hour from a brilliant Lucas Paqueta ball.

Edson Alvarez – 6 (off for Fornals ’89)

Did some steady work defensively, making two clearances, blocking one shot, completing two interceptions and registering three tackle. Did lose possession on 13 occasions, though.

James Ward-Prowse – 7

A typically assured display in the heart of the Hammers’ midfield from Ward-Prowse. Kept possession well, ensured play kept ticking over for his side, and it was his excellent cross-field pass that found Coufal to set up Kudus for the winner

Mohammed Kudus – 8 (Man of the Match)

Unsurprisingly, the Hammers’ biggest attacking threat, and finished his goal pretty well – running onto the ball and connecting well, albeit it a big deflection off Marc Guehi ultimately took the ball past Sam Johnstone. Had another few efforts that weren’t on target and completed his only dribble.

Tomas Soucek – 4

The Czech midfielder has been in good form as of late but this was certainly not one of his better performances of the campaign. Had an accurate pass success rate of only 78%, lost possession 11 times, and won only five of 19 duels.

Lucas Paqueta – 6

Struggled to have too much of an impact on the game, though his one key pass did lead to a ‘big chance’ for Emerson, who really should have done more with Paqueta’s delivery.

Jarrod Bowen – 5

An uncharacteristically blunt performance from the returning Bowen, who looked a little off the pace and did nothing to influence the game in the home side’s favour. Had just two efforts on target, one a tame attempt at a chip in the first half after a brilliant over-the-top pass from Aguerd, the second a weak header deep into second-half injury time.

Substitutions

Pablo Fornals – (on for Alvarez ’89) – N/A

In other West Ham news, Alan Smith was stunned by a ‘beautiful’ moment from Nayef Aguerd in the first half.