West Ham United player ratings v Luton: 3/10 Antonio ineffective in Hammers comeback
West Ham United picked up their first Premier League win in five attempts in David Moyes’ penultimate match in charge, defeating Luton Town 3-1 at the London Stadium.
The Hammers went 1-0 down inside six minutes following some questionable defending as Albert Sambi Lokonga headed home, but sensational second-half strikes from James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek turned things around for the hosts before youngster George Earthy added some late polish.
It’s a first win in five attempts for the Hammers which all-but relegated Luton in the process, and after a woeful few weeks of heavy defeats an uncertainty, Moyes will bow out at the London Stadium off the back of a much-needed victory.
West Ham Zone have rated the players out of 10.
Alphonse Areola – 5
Couldn’t do much about the opener as Lokonga arrived late in the box, but commanded his area reasonably well thereafter, particularly from set-pieces. Pressure from Osho forced him to flap at a cross and resulted in a scuffle in the goalmouth, which was the last time the Frenchman was truly tested.
Vladimir Coufal – 5
Struggled to deal with Adebayo in the first half and was left stranded by his cross for Lokonga’s opener. Did get forward to good effect throughout though, setting up a far-post chance for Bowen and the opportunity which led to Ward-Prowse’s equaliser.
Kurt Zouma – 6
Statuesque for Lokonga’s opener and was rooted to the spot as the Belgian met Adebayo’s cross. That would be the last time he was caught out though, making a potentially goal-saving challenge on Onyedinmna, heading Doughty’s cross away from the goal-line, and sliding in to dispossess Adebayo in the box while 1-0 down.
West Ham United ready for change after Antonio no-show
Angelo Ogbonna – 4
Couldn’t react quick enough to pick up the run of Lokonga, which split Ogbonna and Zouma straight down the middle of West Ham’s box. He did have a commanding presence during set-pieces at both ends, but was far below his centre-back partner in terms of defensive contributions and came off for Kaelan Casey in stoppage time.
Emerson – 5
Got forward when possible and played a one-two with Paqueta to set up a good chance for Antonio. Booked after fouling Chong off the ball when Luton counter-attacked in the second half, but went close to scoring himself with a close-range effort blocked.
Tomas Soucek – 6
Smashed a low shot from the edge of the box straight into Kaminski’s gloves in anotherwise quiet first half, and went one better in the second, putting 2-1 up with a sensational volley from the edge of the box after Ward-Prowse’s cross was headed away.
James Ward-Prowse – 6
Let Lokonga run straight past him and into the box unopposed, offering no resistance as the Luton midfielder headed home for 1-0, but made amends in the second half, arriving late in the box to slam home the Hammers’ equaliser with a fantastic low strike on the rebound!
Lucas Paqueta – 5
Looked to turn defence into attack for West Ham and linked up with Emerson on two occasions to create chances in the box. Looked to have faded somewhat in the second half but still popped up in the right areas, before being taken off for Danny Ings with six to go.
Jarrod Bowen – 7
Dragged an early volley wide from close range but looked the most dangerous of any West Ham player, willing to run from deep whenever possible and carving out the chance which led to Ward-Prowse’s equalising goal. In the first half, he saw a far-post volley cleared off the line by Osho, and the Luton defender almost gifted him a goal of his own with a risky defensive header in the second.
Mohammed Kudus – 6
Often dropped deep and central to help the Hammers out of tight spaces and created several chances for himself from varying ranges, but couldn’t finish any off thanks to Luton’s packed defence. Swapped to the left side in the second half, and created a golden chance for Antonio which Kaminski kept out, before shooting wide himself from right in front!
Michail Antonio – 3
Didn’t provide enough pressing in the early stages as Luton played straight through West Ham. Was isolated amongst Luton’s three-man defence and chasing shadows in attack for much of the game, blazing one attempt over the bar and having a header saved by Kaminski right on the goal-line. Withdrawn with 15 minutes to go.
Substitutes:
George Earthy – 7
What a cameo by the Hammers youngster! Barely seconds after coming on, he sealed the win with a near-post finish, turning Kudus’ cross in with what appeared to be his first touch!
Danny Ings – N/A
Aaron Cresswell – N/A
Kaelan Casey – N/A
In other West Ham news, Wolves’ stance on Max Kilman has been shared by Fabrizio Romano amid transfer links to the Hammers.
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