Yahoo Finance West Ham player ratings vs Manchester City: Jesse Lingard and Declan Rice impress in defeat
West Ham’s Champions League hopes were dealt a blow as champions elect Manchester City extended their winning run to 20 games in all competitions.
City dominated possession throughout but West Ham were doing a fine job of keeping them at arms length. It took a stunning ball over the back line from Kevin De Bruyne, on his weaker foot, to tee up Ruben Dias who headed home City’s first attempt of the game after half an hour.
West Ham were sitting tight but causing problems on the break.
Michail Antonio clipped the outside of the post after Jesse Lingard had broken down the right and crossed. The Hammers centre forward more than made up for it just before the break however. Lingard collected ball and sent Vladimir Coufal free down the right, the Czech crossed for Lingard whose effort was helped over the line by Antonio.
The Hammers continued to push after the break, Lingard driving them forwards time and again but could not get the final ball into the right places.
City’s forwards had not been firing but when you’re in search of a 20th consecutive win, plenty have the confidence to step up. Riyad Mahrez twisted and turned Ben Johnson into submission before cutting back to John Stones who sent a fine finish into the far corner.
Here is how Jack Rosser rated the Hammers...
Darren Randolph 6
Thrown in for just a second League start of a season thanks to injury to Lukasz Fabianski, could have done little about the goals and played through injury.
Issa Diop 7
Kept Ferran Torres and then Phil Foden relatively quiet throughout but missed great chance to equalise in final seconds.
Craig Dawson 6
No nonsense throughout and dictated the back five from start to finish. Even took a goal kick.
Aaron Cresswell 7
One of the most composed on the pitch on the ball, tried to help the Hammers forward under intense pressure from City’s press.
Vladimir Coufal 7
Kept City’s left hand side in check throughout and flew forward to play a vital part in the goal.
Tomas Soucek 7
Tireless once more, threw himself in front of almost everything at the back and pushed to disrupt City at every opportunity.
Declan Rice 7
Lead from midfield once more and ensured Ilkay Gundogan and Fernandinho had little sway over the game.
Ben Johnson 5
Looked shot of confidence on the ball in the first half and was left red-faced by Mahrez for City’s winner.
Jesse Lingard 8
Drove West Ham forward time and again and was the sharpest on any side in the build up to Atnonio’s goal.
Pablo Fornals 6
Ran relentlessly to try and push West Ham forward when the chances opened up but couldn’t create anything.
Michail Antonio 7
Held up the ball superbly and in the right place to score the equaliser. Could have done better minutes before when he clipped the outside of the post.
Substitutes
Jarrod Bowen n/a
Said Benrahma n/a
