Anthony Onifade

Wed 5 April 2023 22:05, UK

West Ham United dropped points in their bid to avoid relegation with a 5-1 defeat against rampant Newcastle United side at the London Stadium on Wednesday 5 April.

Goals from Callum Wilson (2), Joelinton (2) and Alexander Isak meant the Magpies completely outclassed their opponents on a shambolic night for David Moyes and his men keeping them level on points with Bournemouth who sit in the Premier League drop zone.

Here West Ham Zone rates the players out of ten for their performances at the London Stadium on Wednesday (5 April):

Łukasz Fabiański – 3/10

Not much he can do for any of Newcastle’s goals and wasn’t helped by his side’s poor defending for all of them. Dreadful mistake for Newcastle’s fourth. Absolutely comical sprinting out of goal when he had two defenders around Alexander Isak to deal with the loose ball. Shambles.

Thilo Kehrer – 4/10

After his solid showing against Southampton on Sunday [2 April], failed to build on that against Newcastle and was given the absolute runaround by Saint-Maximin, a poor performance.

Kurt Zouma – 5/10

David Moyes will be absolutely about his centre-back’s defending for the Newcastle United goals with Callum Wilson and Joelinton both allowed all the freedom of the London Stadium to net their goals but Zouma pulled one back as he always does with a thumping header before half-time. Will be crucial for the West Ham United run-in but his slack defending can’t happen again.

Nayef Aguerd – 2/10

Will be disappointed by how he and Zouma allowed Wilson and Joelinton to score, and after his terrific performances for the Hammers for much of his first campaign at the club, the consolation of those goals could well be considered uncharacteristic.

Dreadful howler for Newcastle’s second goal, what was he doing there? Horror show.

Emerson Palmieri – 4/10

Received a yellow card for his dreadful challenge on Jacob Murphy and deservedly so. Partly at fault for Newcastle’s first goal and could have been sent off early in the second half for a tackle on Sven Botman. A very lucky boy.

Declan Rice – 6/10

Tried to instigate some sort of inspiration for his team but wasn’t helped by their lack of quality and support from his teammates. He simply can’t do things by himself and that’s why he’ll be seeking a big move at the end of the season. Too good for this level.

Tomas Soucek – 4/10

Yet another dreadful showing from a player undergoing a steep decline at the London Stadium. With his immediate future uncertain because of his contract status, it’s unlikely the club will be encouraged in handing him a new deal. West Ham United need an upgrade in midfield.

Lucas Paqueta – 5/10

Nowhere to be seen against Newcastle after his defensive and resilient masterclass against Southampton. Completely outshone by his Brazilian mate Bruno Guimaraes in the midfield. No wonder why one player is fighting for Champions League football and the other is down at the bottom flirting with relegation. Will certainly be wishing he joined his mate last summer.

Jarrod Bowen – 6/10

Tried to make things happen on the right flank and gave Dan Burn a tough time too. However, he’s a shadow of the player that excelled last season and maybe that’s no fault of his own but the frailties and decline of his teammates.

Michail Antonio – 7/10

Tried to make things happen when his side went two goals down and he showed just why he’s so crucial for the Hammers even when things are going there way. Ran the Newcastle defence ragged all evening with his power, strength and mazy dribbling. The Jamaican international was impressive in his defensive work also before being subbed off in the second half.

Said Benrahma – 5/10

Gave absolutely nothing for his side after his bright early start. And that’s been his problem on so many occasions in a West Ham United shirt. He drifts in and out of games too many times. Must improve.

Substitutes

Danny Ings (on for Antonio, 62′) – 5

Vladimir Coufal (on for Kehrer 62′) – 5

Maxwel Cornet (on for Benrahma 62′) – 5

Flynn Downes (on for Soucek 62′) – 5