West Ham United suffered their first home defeat in the Premier League since August after losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
Said Benrahma opened the scoring in the first half with a superb effort from outside of the penalty area, while Wilfried Zaha equalised before half-time after a defensive error in the London derby. Michael Olise's deflected effort at full-time earned Palace a late win.
Here is how football.london ’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against Palace.
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Lukasz Fabianski
Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was forced off at half-time with a knee injury sustained a week ago against Manchester United, but quickly overcame that to start against Palace. Had little to deal with in the first half, with Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise only testing him from range. Little he could do about the goal, with Craig Dawson allowing Zaha to go through on goal too easily. Had little to do after the break, but rushed out when needed well. Forced into a brilliant late save when Dawson almost turned into his own net let on. Olise's winner not his fault at all, little he could do. 6
Thilo Kehrer
German defender Thilo Kehrer went into the game at right-back just one yellow card away from a potential suspension. Showed good signs of defending and lots of quality on the ball with both feet, comfortable on either side. Linked up well with Jarrod Bowen and his interception and pass to lead to Lucas Paqueta setting up Benrahma's earlier. Left looking red-faced when Dawson's bad pass behind Kehrer led to the German getting tackled in the move for Zaha's equaliser. Won a few big tackles in last-ditch scenarios in the second half, and did in possession going forward. 6
Craig Dawson
Craig Dawson returned to centre-back after impressing at Old Trafford, like Kurt Zouma next to him. Had defended initially, with him and Zouma together forcing to block and rise to a lot of Palace pressure. Got tight to Zaha which led to the move for Benrahma's first half strike, but was the cuplrit when the Ivorian equalised on the stroke of half-time, first giving Kehrer a poor pass before allowing Zaha to get past him too easily on the counter. Went some way to make up for his error when Zaha broke through in the second half, limiting his attempt, although almost gave Palace a winner late on when his poor touch at a cross forced Fabianski into a save. 5
Kurt Zouma
Zouma was arguably West Ham's best player on the day against United and would have hoped to emulate that against London rivals Palace. Picked up where he left off against United in the first half, really good. Composed on the ball, bought the ball out from the back and looked generally on top of all things that came his way. Was the same in the second half, although less effective. Not at fault for either goal and the best of the back four. 7
Aaron Cresswell
Aaron Cresswell went into the game having recently been named in SofaScore's European Team of the Month for October alongside the likes of Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi. Crossed poorly early on when he had Gianluca Scamacca to try and pick out, missing him by some way both times. Struggled to deal with Olise down his side, and his late effort came off his foot and in to give Palace three points. 5
Tomas Soucek
Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Soueck has only scored twice so far this season despite his usual rate of goals in midfield, both of which coming in August. Not great on the ball and with his passing but had defended well at times to try and cut out Palace's attacking threat. A couple of poor long passes, nowhere near mirroring Declan Rice led to him being replaced by Flynn Downes, which West Ham fans cheered. 6
Declan Rice
One of many whose season has been relentless is captain Declan Rice, who in ways would have been grateful for being spared for the trip to Romania. Could not be faulted in this game, looked good on the ball again and a key cog in trying to get things moving going forward out from midfield, spraying some good long passes. Attempted one long shot that went miles over, but won tackles and looked solid. 7
Jarrod Bowen
Winger Jarrod Bowen was afforded a rare rest following an ankle knock that he had just about shook off before the trip to United. Really poor by his standards, Tyrick Mitchell did a great job of marking him and really limited his threat. With this his last league game before the World Cup squad is announced, it is a massive blow. 5
Lucas Paqueta (Star man)
Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta missed the last five games in all competitions with a collarbone injury but was back in the squad after a collarbone injury, replacing Flynn Downes in the only change from the loss to Manchester United a week ago. His creative spark has been sorely missed, showing some clever bits of skill and plenty of creativity. Teed up Benrahma for the goal with a quick pass and in the end, looked like the only attacking player who would even trouble Palace. Less effective playing alongside Michail Antonio. 7
Said Benrahma
Despite the form of Pablo Fornals in midweek against FCSB that saw him score twice against the Romanian side in midweek, Algerian Said Benrahma kept his place on the left wing. The Algerian opened the scoring in emphatic style, with a brilliant finish from distance. The loudest noise in the crowd came when he was taken off in the second half, with huge boos from the home fans. Looked good on the ball, but a couple of questionable defensive decisions early may have led to him coming off. Good going forward though, and sorely missed late on. 7
Gianluca Scamacca
Paqueta's absence of late has led to a poor run of form for Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca, with the Italian likely to be boosted by Paqueta's return. Did not get too many chances with crosses from Cresswell evading him, whether they be overhit or wide, although he battled, did what he could. Taken off at half-time, with Antonio given 45 minutes to try and get a winner. 6
Substitutes
Michail Antonio
The Jamaican international was brought on at the break, a chance for him to try and prove his worth after a pleasing cameo at Old Trafford last week. Tried to battle but could not really get the ball to stick barring one good run with ten minutes to go that saw him fall to the floor in a heap, initially winning a penalty but correctly overturned after a VAR check. Wasted a golden counter-attack in stoppage time, with Palace countering and scoring. West Ham more wasteful with him on. 4
Manuel Lanzini
There was a chance for Manuel Lanzini with over 25 minutes to go, with Premier League minutes being a rarity for him this season, playing on the left side in place of goalscorer Benrahma. Seemed to playing as a makeshift left winger and he did not see too much of the ball. 5
Flynn Downes
Having started three straight games in the Premier League, Flynn Downes lost his place in the side due to the return of Paqueta. He was introduced just after the hour mark. Won tackles and did well to try and make things happen, the better of the three substitutes that came on. 6
Pablo Fornals
On for a matter of seconds in stoppage time. N/A
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