West Ham United managed to secure a point through a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough, ending a run of four losses on the bounce.
West Ham United fans left London Stadium on Saturday afternoon not overjoyed, but perhaps relieved that their team had avoided a fifth straight league defeat against Middlesbrough.
The Hammers found themselves 1-0 behind to a Christian Stuani header, before the preeminent Dimitri Payet danced through the Boro defence to give his side a share of the spoils.
The Frenchman may have provided the spark just when West Ham needed it most, but who else turned in an impressive performance for the home side? Who disappointed?
Adrian – 5/10
A worryingly unassertive performance from the Spanish stopper. Failure to come and collect loose balls in his area, combined with some poor distribution could have cost his side a lot more than it did in the end, more due to Middlesbrough’s lack of clinical attacking than anything else. West Ham fans will be hoping that this is merely a dip in form and not a permanent decline for a player that has been one of their most consistent over the past few seasons.
Alvaro Arbeloa – 6/10
Came on for Sam Byram in the opening few minutes after a hamstring injury meant that Byram was stretchered off. There was nothing too flash on display from the ex-Madrid man, but he stuck to his task well and did a good job of keeping his opposite number Stewart Downing out of the game. You’re unlikely to see the 33 year-old bombing down the flank to influence an attack, but amidst a mini injury crisis in the squad, Arbeloa looks like a player Slaven Bilic can depend on.
James Collins – 6/10
He clearly had some issues communicating with his goalkeeper through-out the game, but Collins blocked and cleared pretty much every ball that came his way, and battled determinedly. He was caught out of position on the odd occasion in the match but not punished for it.
Winston Reid – 6/10
A similar story to his centre-back partner Collins, the New Zealand international was pretty dependable throughout. One gets the feeling that if he had come up against a better quality attack force on the day than the Boro forwards then he might have had a more difficult afternoon. He can however claim a loose assist for Payet’s goal!
Cheikhou Kouyate – 6/10
Went about his business in the centre of the park with minimal fuss, and retained possession for the home team on more than one occasion. He looked a particular threat when he got forward into the box, and could compete for crosses.
Pedro Obiang – 7/10
Obiang, so often the understudy to the likes of Kouyate, really stood out against Middlesbrough as a player that is improving rapidly and becoming a very complete Premier League midfielder.
The Spaniard has industry in abundance, and is the important player when West Ham are without the ball. He found playing time hard to come by last season, but has made a bright start to this campaign and put in another good show against Boro, with plenty of interceptions and tackles.
Mark Noble – 6/10
Had two chances and both times came close with shots from distance, both in the first half. The first was a less dangerous strike that spun past the post with Boro keeper Valdes appearing to have it covered, but the second effort cannoned back off the under-side of the bar.
Gokhan Tore – 4/10
Spurned goalscoring chances aplenty in the first half before being replaced. His signing does seem a strange one given that the players’ innocuous part in the game is similar to each of his displays so far this season.
At half time he was substituted for Simone Zaza, who also struggled to make an impact on the game. These two loan signings have both made stuttering starts to life at London Stadium and will be a concern for Bilic.
Dimitri Payet – 8/10
The one top class player on the pitch, in a game devoid of quality football. His goal, whilst there is no question that it should have been defended better, was a moment of absolute brilliance.
When Payet has the ball at his feet there are few more dangerous dribblers in world football – and unfortunately for West Ham supporters, if the team continue their slump in form until the end of the season, one fears he may not be at the club for much longer. Perhaps he could have made more of a nicely positioned free-kick in the second half whilst the score was locked at 1-1. But that’s being picky!
Michail Antonio – 6/10
The Hammers’ explosive utility man was deployed up-front to begin the match, before moving to the right in the second half. His pace and power was visible on occasion, but contrary to his recent form, the end product of the former Forest man was lacking, and several goalscoring opportunities went begging. Gave 100% effort as he always seems to, but the match against Boro was not Antonio’s finest in the claret shirt.
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