West Ham United suffered yet another Premier League defeat under Graham Potter despite the best efforts of Jarrod Bowen and El Hadji Malick Diouf against Crystal Palace.
Here is how Hammers News rated the players.
23 Alphonse Areola – 6/10
Areola was chosen ahead of Mads Hermansen as Potter looked to fix West Ham United’s much-publicised defensive issues.
In truth, there was little the Frenchman could do about either goal. Clearly, West Ham’s defensive issues are not purely down to the man between the sticks.
Areola did deal well with one Palace corner, tipping Daichi Kamada’s swirling delivery over the bar. He also pulled off an outstanding reflex save to keep out visiting sub Eddie Nketiah, albeit from an offside position.
2 Kyle Walker-Peters – 5/10
Begun very sloppily. As Aaron Wan-Bissaka missed out again due to a stomach issue, Walker-Peters started a fourth game in a row across all competitions. He almost committed an awful error when switching off for an early Mitchell chance, and then lost Yeremy Pino for another first-half opening.
At the other end, Walker-Peters was typically adventurous going forward. He had two attempts on goal in quick succession after the break, albeit neither really threatened to beat Dean Henderson.
15 Konstantinos Mavropanos – 5/10
Left in agony after hitting the turf awkwardly but carried on. West Ham again struggled to cope with crosses and it was his poor defensive header which set up Mitchell’s stunning winner.
Mavropanos did, at least, make one outstanding block to deny Munoz the chance to make it 3-1 in the 73rd minute.
3 Max Kilman – 5/10
To think, Kilman started the game very well. The £40 million centre-back helped to knock Kamada off balance as the Japan international headed over and beat Jean-Philippe Mateta a couple of times in the air.
All that good early work was undone, however, when Kilman was outjumped by Marc Guehi for Mateta’s opener. Again, big questions regarding his lack of physicality.
12 El Hadji Malick Diouf – 7/10
Jarrod Bowen raved about Diouf’s crossing ability recently, and it was the left-back who assisted his skipper as Bowen glanced Diouf’s corner into the bottom corner for the equaliser.
His deliveries were largely hit and miss, however, while combinations between he and Summerville were few and far between. But always confident though and determined to make things happen.
8 James Ward-Prowse – 4/10
While Graham Potter attempted to explain Freddie Potts’ absence from the first-team picture in midweek, the sight of James Ward-Prowse over the academy graduate continues to baffle.
Another non-event of a performance. One horribly shanked pass led to jeers from the fans while Ward-Prowse struggled to pick up runners in behind him with Wharton breaking the lines. Though, in his defence, making interceptions as the deepest of the midfield trio is certainly not a personal strength.
Soungoutou Magassa cannot come into the XI soon enough.
18 Mateus Fernandes – 5/10
The newly-appointed Portugal Under-21 captain was a lot quieter than usual here, though he did play one impressive through ball to set Bowen away in the build up to a half-chance for Wilson.
Fernandes arguably could have closed Wharton down earlier as he swung in the cross for Palace’s second goal. He was replaced to a chorus of boos from a disapproving fanbase when Potter introduced Soungoutou Magassa on 76 minutes, again frustration towards the manager boiling over.
20 Jarrod Bowen – 7/10
The star man yet again. It took until 20 minutes before Bowen embarked on one of his trademark surging runs but, once he started to turn the screw, West Ham were at their most dangerous.
Bowen equalised with a clever header as he was left strangely unmarked from that Diouf corner and nearly assisted Wilson moments later. Bowen had another shot saved down low by Henderson and set up Paqueta header, though his influence waned once Palace took the lead for a second time.
10 Lucas Paqueta – 6/10
Fielded as a false nine last week, Paqueta returned in his favoured attacking midfield role here. And, like Bowen, he took his time to grow into the game.
Paqueta’s trademark through balls weren’t to his usual standard although he did set up a Bowen shot at 1-1 with an impudent back heel from the byline. Came close to scoring yet again when the Brazilian’s flicked header flashed across the goal. However, Paqueta was still not really involved enough for Potter’s liking, especially when 2-1 down.
7 Crysencio Summerville – 6/10
Potter felt Summerville was one of West Ham’s brightest performers against Tottenham last weekend and the same could be said here, even if that isn’t really saying much.
Summerville created a good chance for Callum Wilson on the counter right at the end of the first half but many of his buccanneering runs were snuffed out by a well-organised Crystal Palace team.
Replaced by Luis Guilherme on 76 minutes
9 Callum Wilson – 5/10
Hammers icon Tony Cottee wanted to see more from Callum Wilson but, on his full West Ham debut, the veteran striker did not make the desired effect.
He was left in a heap after a crunching early challenge from the aggressive Chris Richards and saw the USA international deny him after threatening to break away later in the first-half. Wilson had one excellent opening on the stroke of half-time but took too long on the ball and was tackled.
Replaced by Niclas Fullkrug on 58 mins
Substitutes
11 Niclas Fullkrug – 5/10
Clattered Dean Henderson within moments of his introduction.
Callum Wilson highlighted the differences between himself and Fullkrug in the week, and the big German offered a reminder of his talents when beating the outstanding Richards in the air to flick the ball on.
Gave West Ham a new dimension up against an excellent Palace backline. A lack of service limited his involvement, however.
17 Luis Guilherme – N/A
Minimal impact after replacing Summerville.
27 Soungoutou Magassa – N/A
Surely a first Hammers start has to come next time out at Arsenal.
