West Ham United: 3/10 Aaron Cresswell stinks as 8/10 shines – Player ratings v Bayer Leverkusen
West Ham fought without reward in a 2-0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen away from home in the Europa League after goals from Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface.
The Hammers headed into half-time with the score level and their clean sheet intact as the best opportunity fell to Mohammed Kudus who couldn’t take his chance, while Lucas Paqueta could have been sent off after a nasty challenge.
In the second half, they continued their structured defensive display, looking to hit on the break while containing and frustrating their opponents before Hofmann fired home in the 83rd minute and Boniface headed home to seal the win.
West Ham player ratings v Bayer Leverkusen
Lukasz Fabianski – 8
Kept his team in the game with an extremely confident display in goal as he looked unphased by any of Leverkusen’s attacking pressure. His saves were crucial to keeping the scoreline tight as the Hammers took the result back to the London Stadium.
Not a lot he could have done about the first goal as he was unsighted and didn’t get close to the second, but his performance was still key to keeping the score as tight as it was.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 7
A resolute defensive display gave the Leverkusen attackers little joy, particularly in the second half as they were restricted to efforts from range thanks to the defender’s performance. Nothing he could have done about either goal.
Kurt Zouma – 6
Much like his fellow defender, Zouma was relentless in his defensive effort although there was not a lot he could have done about the first goal as it fell to the forward following his block, but completely lost his man for the second.
Aaron Cresswell – 3
It was a tough night for the veteran who was given the runaround at times. He was poor at bringing the ball out from the back both with his dribbling and passing and was caught in behind all too often when he attempted to push forward.
Vladimir Coufal – 6
Was deployed in a slightly unfamiliar position as a right wing-back, but was not expected to get forward too often as he was allowed to tuck into the defensive line and provide further stability which he did effectively.
Emerson – 6
Unlike his opposite full-back, Emerson was allowed to make those forward runs regularly, but that meant he often left space in behind for the attackers to exploit which did no favours for Cresswell’s performance.
James Ward-Prowse – 6
Couldn’t quite find his range with a limited number of set-piece deliveries but provided an out-ball for the defence to ease the pressure and kept things moving comfortably in possession, complimenting his midfield partner well.
Tomas Soucek – 7
His sloppy play in possession was highlighted again as he struggled to help his team progress up the field on the break, but as usual, his height and physical prowess probed important to Moyes’ deep block.
Kept his side in the tie with a double block on the line which prevented the German side from going two goals ahead, only for them to double their lead moments later.
Mohammed Kudus – 7
The main man for West Ham on the night. Despite missing the Hammers’ best chance of the game, his energy was crucial in their rare breaks up the pitch to bring the ball away and pose a counter-attacking threat.
Lucas Paqueta – 4
Can consider himself very lucky not to have been sent off in the first half after a heavy challenge saw him booked as he will now miss the second leg. A late tackle just minutes later could have earned him a second yellow card.
Michail Antonio – 8
Was given very little to deal with by way of service as the Hammers attempted to hit on the break throughout, but held the ball up nicely and managed to bring his teammates into the game whenever he was in possession. A very impressive display despite the result.
Subs
Nayef Aguerd – 5
Ben Johnson – 4
In other West Ham news, Lucas Paqueta transfer news has been branded “nonsense”.
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