West Ham’s three best and three worst players against Leicester including Hammer of the Year contender Virgil van Dawson.
What a difference a goal makes for West Ham as Craig Dawson’s last gasp equaliser rescued a point for the Hammers at Leicester.
Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring with a superb strike. But it was a very frustrating game for West Ham fans who watched their side surrender the 1-0 lead with a brainless penalty conceded by Aaron Cresswell at the end of the first half.
Ricardo Pereira put Leicester 2-1 up in the second half by Dawson took advantage of the Foxes’s weakness defending set pieces by scoring from Bowen’s corner in stoppage time.
West Ham’s three best and three worst players against Leicester including HOTY contender Virgil van Dawson
Once again a number of West Ham players flattered to deceive. But there were some positive performances too.
West Ham’s three best players vs Leicester
Craig Dawson
Once again the dependable Hammer of the Year contender was a rock for West Ham. A picture of consistency, the big defender did not put a foot wrong at the back and came up with the all important equaliser.
Issa Diop
Let’s not start declaring this the rising of the Phoenix from the ashes. But Diop was thrown in at the last minute following Kurt Zouma’s withdrawal after feeling unwell in the warm-up. That can’t have been easy. But Diop put in his best performance for some time and registered an assist for the first goal. His defending was solid and he seemed focused and fired up.
Jarrod Bowen
Another goal. Another assist. Bowen really is one fire and a sure bet for the next England squad. Had a quieter second half but was so good on the ball and worked his socks off for the team making a number of vital tackles when tracking back.
Special mention for Said Benrahma who was excellent when he came on. If only he could replicate that form when he starts.
West Ham’s three worst players vs Leicester
Aaron Cresswell
One of his worst performances for West Ham in a long while. A ridiculous handball to give Leicester a foot back in the game when there was zero danger behind him. Then he lost his man for Leicester’s second goal too. Poor on the ball and gave it away on a number of occasions. He’s been a great servant but performances like this underline why West Ham fans have been calling for the club to sign another left-back for so long.
Vladimir Coufal
What has happened to Coufal? A shadow of the player fans fell in love with last season. Now supporters are starting to wonder if he is the new Sebastien Schemmel. Was torn to shreds by Harvey Barnes and did nowhere near enough to stop his cross for Leicester’s second goal. Was so bad Moyes had to waste a substitute bringing him off for Ryan Fredericks.
Tomas Soucek/Michail Antonio
For Soucek see Coufal above. Yes Soucek’s game has suffered as a result of the change in Declan Rice’s role. David Moyes has admitted as much himself. But the big Czech is just not at the races. Awful on the ball and not getting anywhere close to the goal nowadays. Soucek works tirelessly for the team but he is seriously struggling for any kind of form. Hopefully he and Coufal get a second wind and come good again soon.
Could not split this one between Soucek and Michail Antonio. The West Ham striker put in another anonymous performance, offered little for the team as a focal point and came nowhere close to getting a shot off let alone getting a goal. Has been out of form since the November international break. A serious issue for West Ham.
More West Ham news:
Moyes speaking to target’s dad and still wants him in summer says insider.
West Ham player faces uncertain run in due to floating bone in knee.
‘Did the right thing’ Merson leaps to the defence of West Ham over Zouma.
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