Dan Carter

Thu 26 October 2023 19:45, UK

West Ham United tasted defeat for the first time in the Europa League this season as they were beaten 2-1 by Olympiacos on Thursday 26 October.

The home side scored twice in the first half to ensure that all three points would remain in Greece, with Kostas Mortounis breaking the deadlock with a powerful long-range strike after 33 minutes before Angelo Ogbonna turned into his own net in the final moments of the first period.

Lucas Paqueta gave the Hammers small hope of winning a point with an excellent left-footed volley in the final five minutes of the match but it wasn’t enough to inspire the Hammers into extending their 17-match unbeaten run in Europe.

West Ham Zone has rated the players out of 10 below;

Alphonse Areola – 5

An unexpected starter after Lukasz Fabianski missed out with illness [Malik Ouzia, 26 October]. Could do little about the two goals in the first half but maybe could have been more commanding to prevent Ogbonna from turning in his own goal as it should have been his responsibility. Made several strong saves to keep the scoreline to only 2-0.

Thilo Kehrer – 6

Started the game excellently creating two chances within the opening 20 minutes of the game. Was fairly competent defensively and on a night where a number of players stood out for all the wrong reasons the German right-back went about his business well even if with very little spark.

Konstantinos Mavropanos – 4

Not the return to Greece that the defender would have hoped for as he impressed on the ball as he completed more passes than any other player on the pitch, but failed to stop the attacking threat of Olympiacos with a few shaky moments. Was too slow to close down Fortuounis from defence for the home side’s opener.

Angelo Ogbonna – 3

Another moment in the Europa League that the Italian would like to forget as he turned Rodinei’s cross into his net with an unnecessary clearance. Struggled for a lot of the game as he looked a bit off of the pace and perhaps showed exactly why he isn’t trusted to play in the Premier League regularly anymore and was perhaps lucky to avoid a second yellow. West Ham could do with a few defensive recruits.

Emerson – 5

Similarly to Kehrer the Italian worked hard in defence and managed to carve out a couple of chances going forward without managing to provide that cutting edge when it was required. Maybe should have done more to prevent the second goal but most of the blame lies with Fornals.

Tomas Soucek – 5

Deployed in a slightly more defensive role alongside James Ward-Prowse instead of his typical number 10 role and didn’t look anywhere near as comfortable as he usually does in a more advanced position. Looked slightly better when Edson Alvarez was introduced but still struggled to have his typical influence on the match. Hard to imagine Moyes playing him in the more defensive role again this season.

James Ward-Prowse – 5

Like the rest of the midfield, failed to close down Fortounis for his opener midway through the first half as he opened the scoring. Lacked the clinical cutting edge on the ball the West Ham supporters would have come to expect this season. Arguably his quietest performance in a Hammers shirt before he was replaced after 70 minutes.

Pablo Fornals – 3

The Spaniard failed to close down Rodinei for the home side’s second goal as he afforded the left-back far too much time and space to swing a ball into the penalty area and allowed Fortounis to dribble past him for the opener Was similarly poor going forward as he repeatedly lost possession. Was hooked after 57 minutes and Thursday’s performance would have done little to earn Fornals a return to the starting XI in the Premier League.

Mohammed Kudus – 5

Every time the Ghanaian international got on the ball he seemed to carry a threat, but he didn’t have too many opportunities to influence the game near the penalty area. Kudus worked incredibly hard off of the ball but like so many of his teammates he failed to have a huge impact on the game. A tough evening for the winger who was substituted after 70 minutes.

Said Benrahma – 4

A very quiet evening for the Algerian international as he was one of many to struggle to get a foothold in the game, but he did create one big chance in the match as well as making four passes into the final third. Didn’t impact the game as he so often has previously before being withdrawn just before the hour mark for Jarrod Bowen.

Danny Ings – 4

Anonymous after he was picked to lead the line in a rare start. Ings doesn’t fit the Hammers’ style of play and looked out of place when Moyes’ side looked to go forward as he only registered 12 touches in the first half. Skied an effort early in the second half as he took his goal drought to 20 matches. Was substituted before the hour mark for Antonio.

Subs

Lucas Paqueta – 7

Had a poor game after coming on at the hour mark but managed to produce the single moment of clear quality from the away side. Excellent finish to give the Hammers a faint hope of avoiding defeat but was ineffective for much of his cameo from the bench.

Michail Antonio – 6

Struggled to get involved in his 30 minutes of action, but worked hard and battled to try and pull West Ham back into the game.

Jarrod Bowen – 6

Quiet compared to his exploits so far this season but carried more of a threat than those who started in attack.

Edson Alvarez – 5

Maxwel Cornet – 5

In other West Ham news, Moyes could repeat his Lingard magic if the Hammers opt to sign Jadon Sancho in January