Player ratings: 7/10s as no frills West Ham find a way against embarrassing Leicester

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The clash between West Ham and Leicester was a case of what might have been for Graham Potter and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Graham Potter was heavily linked with the Leicester job but turned it down before eventually joining West Ham.

And Leicester’s struggling boss Ruud van Nistelrooy was actually linked with the Hammers job when Julen Lopetegui was facing the sack.

After this tussle Potter will be relieved with his choice as Leicester stunk out the London Stadium.

You would not know the Foxes are fighting for their lives to stay in the Premier League.

After a brilliant win at Arsenal last weekend, Potter wanted his side to show they could win when the expectation was on them to break the opposition down.

But the visitors were so utterly awful it is difficult for Potter to judge whether his side achieved that.

“We’re Leicester, we’re fearless and Foxes never quit” is the club’s motto.

Well on this evidence the Foxes are disgracing that motto.

This was a professional, solid performance from the Hammers.

There were 7/10s across the pitch as no frills West Ham find a way against embarrassing Leicester.

Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek were the pick of the bunch, not least because they got the goals.

Nobody particularly shone nor did anyone really put a foot wrong.

This was as straightforward a win as Potter could have wished for.

No frills West Ham find a way against embarrassing Leicester

It was far from perfect and certainly not scintillating.

But West Ham can’t afford to scoff at their first back-to-back Premier League wins since last March.

Victory moves the Hammers up to 15th, above David Moyes’ Everton.

It keeps the confidence and momentum flowing.

There will need to be big changes in the summer, though, for Potter to get the energy and athleticism in the side which are a hallmark of his teams.

West Ham’s side still looks aged and slow in too many areas.

The average age of the team took another jump up as goalscorer Soucek and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola celebrated their birthdays.

The Hammers did put a lot in to the Arsenal victory.

But young, exciting players with pace and power will be key to Potter truly transforming this team.

For now, he at least has West Ham organised, competitive and well structured.

That shone through against the Foxes, who look destined to return to the Championship.

West Ham had the same number of shots on target as Leicester with just two.

But the Hammers didn’t have to be anywhere near their best to get a result.

Newcastle next will be a different test entirely.

That will be a game that suits West Ham as the pressure is on the Magpies to win in a bid to make Europe.

Soucek and Bowen lead by example in easy West Ham win

Areola, 7/10: Little to nothing to do, turned 32 and probably felt like he aged a year watching the grass grow. Clean sheet on your birthday, can’t be bad.

Wan-Bissaka, 7/10: One of West Ham’s better players yet again. Hammer of the Year.

Todibo, 7/10: Strong, quick, comfortable on the ball. Looked like he may have picked up another niggle but was subbed off to manage his recent return from six weeks out.

Kilman, 7/10: Few sloppy moments but solid overall.

Cresswell, 7/10: Another excellent performance from the 35-year-old at left-sided centre-back. Snapping into tackles and interceptions. Leading by example in the last two games.

Scarles, 7/10: Another solid performance from the young left-back. Needs to get his head up and pass forwards more. But that will come with games and experience. Subbed off for Emerson.

Soucek, 7.5/10: A typical Soucek performance. Worked hard, disciplined, unselfish and got his goal.

Alvarez, 7/10: Did ok overall and made a few surging runs, worked hard. Subbed off for Carlos Soler.

Ward-Prowse, 7/10: Steady, tidy, efficient but if West Ham want to get back to challenging for Europe next season, much more will be needed in the middle of the park.

Kudus, 6/10: Really disappointing to see Kudus’ level drop again after a superb performance at Arsenal. Saw point blank shot saved from three yards out which Soucek mopped up. Subbed off.

Bowen, 7.5/10: Along with Soucek was West Ham’s standout player. Wasn’t at his brilliant best but epitomised everything you want from a Hammers player.

Subs: Ferguson should have scored but snatched at chance. Mavropanos, Emerson, Soler and Irving all solid without doing anything of note.