WHZ View: Coufal great with an 8, Johnson struggles – West Ham player ratings v Man City
Manchester City made it 20 wins on the bounce in all competitions on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over West Ham.
The league leaders won through goals from Ruben Dias and John Stones, either side of a Michail Antonio strike for the Hammers.
City are well above the rest in the Premier League. They made numerous changes to the side that won midweek in the Champions League, yet still dominated play.
That’s not to say West Ham performed badly. They went toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola’s side and were in the game until the end.
West Ham Zone have given the following ratings to David Moyes’ side.
Darren Randolph – 6
Came back into the side for the first time since early January. Aside from the two goals, he didn’t have an awful lot to do. Appeared to injure himself but stayed on.
Vladimir Coufal – 8
Solid once again at right-back. Got forward very well for the goal, putting the ball in for Lingard. Torres, playing left wing, didn’t have a sniff. The City attacker was pulled off after an hour having been nullified by the Czech.
Issa Diop – 6
Wasn’t bad in the air, made a couple of good blocks. Was nowhere for the Ruben Dias goal. Missed a big chance in the 93rd minute to draw us level. It’s good to see him have a run of games, he’s a very capable performer and will have better days.
Craig Dawson – 7
A leader in the backline in the absence of Ogbonna. Gone from zero to hero at West Ham, and was good again today. Wouldnt have known Aguero was playing.
Aaron Cresswell – 6
Also played fine at the back. His set-plays weren’t quite up to scratch. He’s set himself such high standards this season and will be disappointed we couldn’t make the most of them today.
Ben Johnson – 6
Struggled against the menacing Riyad Mahrez. Was booked in the first half after a couple of fouls on the Algerian, had to be careful after that. Allowed him to much room as he assisted City’s winner. Good experience for him today.
Declan Rice – 7
Worked hard in the middle as we spent long periods without the ball. Playing with maturity beyond his years. Positionally very good, intelligently slotting into the backline when Cresswell would burst forward.
Tomas Soucek – 7
Stopped an early chance with a good challenge in our box. Got forward well to join the attack, should have done better with a headed chance in the first half. Worked tirelessly as we’ve come to expect.
Pablo Fornals – 6
Found Coufal well in the build-up to our goal. Another player who you know is going to work hard in the midfield. Was wasteful at times on the ball when we could have got at City’s backline.
Michail Antonio – 8
A lot of the time was feeding off scraps but was still highly effective. Antonio hit the post in the first half before scoring after 43 minutes played. Ran his socks off and was taken off after 83 minutes.
Jesse Lingard – 8
Again he was the bright spark. Looked to run at the City backline whenever in possession, and often got us up the pitch well. Got the assist for our goal. Would have been two had Antonio not hit the post.
Subs:
Jarrod Bowen & Said Benrahma – 5
Neither were given time to affect the game.
In other West Ham news, Paul Merson gives his verdict on who makes the top four.