Sam Stone

Sun 2 April 2023 15:54, UK

West Ham United got back to winning ways as a first-half Nayef Aguerd header gave David Moyes’ men a vital 1-0 win over Southampton.

The Moroccan defender glanced home a pinpoint free kick from Thilo Kehrer to give the Hammers a vital three points and take them up to 14th in the Premier League standings.

Here West Ham Zone rates the players out of ten for their performances at the London Stadium on Sunday (2 April).

Łukasz Fabiański – 7

Made a wonderful stop to deny Mohamed Elyounoussi. Managed to get down quickly to deny the Norwegian winger. Excellent return to the side for the veteran goalkeeper.

Thilo Kehrer – 6

Beautiful cross to assist Aguerd for the opening goal. Look slightly more at home in the right-back role. Disciplined display from the German, who was primarily focused on his defensive duties.

Kurt Zouma – 6

Composed performance by the Frenchman. Had a couple of crosses to deal with in the first period but was largely untroubled by the Saints’ attack. Along with Aguerd, it was a good afternoon’s work for Zouma.

Nayef Aguerd – 8

Wonderful header to give West Ham a first-half lead after an excellent delivery from Kehrer. Was allowed plenty of the ball due to Southampton’s reluctance to press from the front. Picked some superb passes into midfield. Top class displayed and a long-awaited first goal.

Emerson Palmieri – 6

Looked to get into some promising attacking positions but was let down by his delivery at times. Failed to pick out a West Ham shirt on a number of occasions. Was relatively untroubled in his own half but let himself down due to his decision-making when going forward. Promising performance on the whole.

Declan Rice – 6

Another dependable performance from the West Ham captain. He rarely puts a foot wrong and didn’t against the Saints. Would’ve liked to have added more in an attacking sense but stifled Southampton’s counterattacks regularly.

Tomas Soucek – 3

Really poor display from Soucek. Gave the ball away on too many occasions and wasn’t a threat in the box like he usually is. It felt like Rice was also doing most of the defensive work which made Soucek’s role fairly redundant. No surprise to see him replaced early in the second half.

Lucas Paqueta – 6

The Brazilian huffed and puffed, but, once again, it feels like his West Ham career is yet to get going. He cannot be faulted for his effort, but things are just not coming off for the 25-year-old at the moment. Definitely improved in the second half. Had a good chance to double West Ham’s lead late on.

Jarrod Bowen – 7

A lively performance from Bowen who was extremely unlucky not to score a wonderful solo effort on the stroke of halftime after his curling shot crashed against Gavin Bazunu’s crossbar. Was one of the Hammers’ biggest threats. Certainly wasn’t afraid to have a pop at goal.

Danny Ings – 4

Had a couple of moments in and around the box, but, on the whole, the former Aston Villa striker will be disappointed. Didn’t get on the ball enough in the first half. Rightfully hooked off just after the hour mark.

Said Benrahma – 6

Wasn’t as effective as Bowen but was still a livewire for the Hammers. Looked to cross whenever he could. Would’ve been good to see it slightly more often from the former Brentford man.

Substitutes

Michail Antonio (on for Ings, 64′) – 5

Flynn Downes (on for Soucek, 67′) – 5

Pablo Fornals (on for Paqueta, 88′) – 5

Aaron Cresswell (on for Emerson, 88′) – 5