West Ham United are in the top half of the Premier League table for the first time this season after sealing a 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Monday night.
A first competitive goal in almost 12 months from Kurt Zouma in controversial circumstances gave the Hammers a first half lead, with Thilo Kehrer handling the ball in the build-up to the Frenchman's header, taking David Moyes' side from 17th in the table to tenth. West Ham sealed three points in stoppage time, with Said Benrahma scoring a penalty after Jordan Zemura blocked a Vladimir Coufal cross with his hand.
Here is how football.london’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against the Cherries.
READ MORE: West Ham charged by the FA after controversial Jarrod Bowen incident in Southampton draw
Lukasz Fabianski
Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has been kept busy in recent matches but in fairness, has met virtually every challenge that he has faced head on this month. Forced into a close range stop early on to deny Dominic Solanke, with Fabianski again forced to save one v one on a counter attack, a shot and move that led to Solanke going off injured shortly before the break. Although Bournemouth pressed late on, they hardly troubled Fabianski in goal, with collecting crosses being his most challenging second half chore to keep a third clean sheet of the season. 7
Ben Johnson
Despite struggling at times against Liverpool at right-back, Ben Johnson kept his place ahead of Vladimir Coufal at right-back. Linked well with Jarrod Bowen early on to get forward and caused some problems with his crossing, showing an attack-minded intent and a willingness to provide service for Gianluca Scamacca and those around him. Good again in the second half, doing his defensive duties on top remaining a consistent attacking outlet to start counter attacks and getting in crosses, finding Scamacca well with one driven pass in the second half that led to a Bowen chance. Much improved from the defeat at Anfield. 7
Kurt Zouma (Star man)
Zouma and Thilo Kehrer have been one of the more used centre-back partnerships so far this season, with injuries reducing the game times of Craig Dawson, Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd. The duo sort of linked up for West Ham's opening as Bowen's corner hit the hand of Kehrer before being cleared, nodded back in by Tomas Soucek and flicked in by Zouma, his first league goal since the win over Liverpool last November. Defended excellently in the second half, one of his better displays of the season, with a few strong challenges and last-ditch clearances to keep out Bournemouth's pressure. 7
Thilo Kehrer
Kehrer was involved a big moment of first half controversy when seeming to touch the ball with his hand in the build-up to Zouma's opener. Had one stray pass early on backwards that led to a wasted Bournemouth counter attack, but did have to track back well to make up for a midfield misspass, tracking and pressuring Solanke who went off injured soon after. Forced to defend really well and did so late on with a few big clearances and tackles. 7
Aaron Cresswell
Aaron Cresswell showed so much intent going forward, more so in the first half and almost got a rare goal early on to force a great save out of Neto, who later went off injured. Put in plenty of crosses and made a number of good attacking runs to support Benrahma, who probably should have used him more often. Did what he needed to at the back in the second half, a pleasing performance. 7
Tomas Soucek
Tomas Soucek recently celebrated becoming a father for the second time and on the pitch, will have hoped to make amends after missing a crucial late chance to snatch a point against Liverpool five days ago. Could have scored early on when forcing a save out of a good Scamacca cross. Defended excellently and in recent games has won so many tackles of late. Did not do too much wrong all in all, barring one miss-communication with Declan Rice. Pleasing on the whole. Also got the assist for Zouma's opener. 7
Declan Rice
Plenty of tempo, progressiveness and good long-range passing from Declan Rice again, as well as a few needed screening challenges. Close to a second goal in eight days when unleashing a fierce 25-yard volley on the second half, but was unable to beat Mark Travers. A good sounding board, like Soucek, to try and break up the middle of the Bournemouth side. 7
Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen will have hoped to add to his tally for the season after seeing a penalty saved on the stroke of half-time by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson last Wednesday. Plenty of intent and encouragement from Bowen, who remained an outlet constantly. Had come off shortly before West Ham won the penalty, so it is unknown whether or not he would have taken it. Not too many chances, but relentless in his running. 7
Flynn Downes
Flynn Downes played as a makeshift pressing No.10 and almost got a first goal for the club with a chance early on that forced an important block out of Chirs Mepham. Got the crowd roaring with a strong tackle in the first half. His positioning allowed West Ham to keep possession high up at times. 7
Said Benrahma
There was a first league start since the draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur on August 31, who has recently impressed in cameos off the bench against Southampton and Liverpool, taking the place of Pablo Fornals in the only change from the defeat at Anfield. Showed quick feet, good running and high pressing and with he and Cresswell attacking relentlessly, Bournemouth's right side had a tough test and keeping the duo quiet. Often went for the spectacular or tried to do too much when the situation was not right for him to do so. Plenty of positives, but needed to think more team-orientated at times. Took his late penalty well, West Ham's fourth different taker in all competitions this season. 7
Gianluca Scamacca
Italian striker was Gianluca Scamacca was in search of a goal for a third consecutive home league game, keeping his place despite struggling against the Reds. It was a quiet game for him in front of goal, especially in the first half, but his runs, passing and chance creation was pleasing. Good hold up play early on led to him making a chance for Soucek that was saved. In the second half, he found Benrahma twice in quick succession, although the Algerian blazed over both times, teeing up Bowen moments later with a clever setting touch. Forced fouls well and could have got Jefferson Lerma sent off early in the second half, had he made more of a rash challenge from the Colombian midfielder. Sometimes frustrated Moyes by trying to do too much, but he has the ability when it does come off, taken off with just over 15 to go. 7
Substitutes
Michail Antonio
There was just over 15 minutes for Michail Antonio to make an impact up front in place of Scamacca. Seemed to lose the ball as often as he got it, with West Ham looking more vulnerable when they did not have Scamacca to hold it up. The one time he did contribute, it led to the penalty. 5
Vladimir Coufal
Part of a double change with two minutes to spare, replacing Bowen to play with an additional defender. Did win a late penalty, with a blocked cross by the hand of Zemura. N/A
Pablo Fornals
Also on in the late double change was Pablo Fornals, in place of Downes. N/A
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