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Jonty Colman

West Ham player ratings: Lukasz Fabianski stars as Declan Rice's goal earns Southampton draw

West Ham United's winning run in all competitions came to an end on Sunday afternoon after they drew 1-1 with Southampton at St Mary's

A deflected effort from Romain Perraud gave the Saints a first half lead, with Declan Rice netting his first goal in 12 months in the Premier League to earn the Hammers a point.

Here is how football.london’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against the Saints.

READ MORE: West Ham's David Moyes highlights Covid-19 'difference' amid Kurt Zouma doubt for Southampton

Lukasz Fabianski (Star man)

Following a midweek rest for the win over Anderlecht, Lukasz Fabianski was back in goal in place of Alphonse Areola. Absolutely superb in the first half, making several important saves to keep out the likes of Adam Armstrong, Che Adams and Mohamed Elyounoussi. Again relied on his saves in the second half, with the goal not really being his fault. So, so important. 8

Vladimir Coufal

Vladimir Coufal was making his first league start since before the international break, with Thilo Kehrer being chosen ahead of him at right-back. With Kehrer moving centrally due to the absences of Kurt Zouma and Craig Dawson, Coufal's start came with a Premier League formation change, featuring as a right wing-back. Booked for a cynical second-half foul on Armstrong and got forward well, but his crosses were just short of what was needed and by some way too. Played as a right-back for the final portion after a formation change. 6

Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson played the duration of both wins over Anderlecht as a right centre-back in a back three and was again used in this role, with injuries forcing a system change. In mid-week, he gave away a penalty rather harshly, his first half was not great, not getting the oomph required on his clearances and defensive work. Positioned himself well and made himself harder to beat after moving centrally towards the end. 6

Thilo Kehrer

Rested in midweek over concerns of a knock, German international Kehrer returned to play as the middle centre-back. Really comfortable on the ball and brave defending, starting in the middle centre-back role before playing with Johnson in a two towards the end. Given shortages at the back at present, they need quality and leadership back there, which is what Kehrer gave to David Moyes' side. 7

Aaron Cresswell

Captain mid-week, Aaron Cresswell impressed as an attack-minded centre-back and continued in that role, to the left of Kehrer. Had plenty of defending to do early on, with important saves being the key to stopping Southampton having a larger lead. Got forward a lot more in the second half and his crosses caused problems, playing a role in Rice's goal. Seems to be in good form. 7

Emerson

Emerson got the assist for Jarrod Bowen's fifth of the season in midweek and made just his third league start of the season, with Moyes liking to use him as a left wing-back. Got close to a first Premier League goal for West Ham early on, putting a good chance just wide after clever hold-up play from Gianluca Scamacca. It was a mixed bag for Emerson after that, once in the first half when Lucas Paqueta attempted to start a counter-attack, he had his back turned, ruining what could have been an important move. Brightest when going forward, less so when he defended, the man sacrificed that led to an all-important switch to 4-2-3-1. 5

Declan Rice

Skipper Rice was back in the heart of midfield after only playing off the bench in midweek, with most of that seeing him play as part of a three-man defence. Was always keen to make a difference on the ball and wanted to move it with purpose, regardless of where on the pitch he was. Equalised with a stunner from the edge of the box midway through the second half after great work down the left side, cutting inside with a thunderous curling effort for his first goal since April's win in Lyon and his first in the league since October 31, last year. Continued to be at the heart of everything, whether it was defending or making moves happen until the very end. 7

Tomas Soucek

Some blame was pointed in the way of Tomas Soucek for the goal, but really, while his clearance was not great, Bowen's lack of anticipation was arguably worse. Made some good tackles and tried to show attacking intent and good tempo on the break. An okay performance, nothing extraordinary but nothing terrible. 6

Jarrod Bowen

Going into the game, Jarrod Bowen had been in excellent scoring form with three goals in his previous four appearances before kick-off. Was guilty of waiting for the ball to come to him after Soucek did not cleanly connect with his clearance off a long throw. Did not have too many chances of his own, but was an outlet with his pace and quick feet, improving as the game progressed. 6

Gianluca Scamacca

Scamacca returned to the starting side after only playing in the final portion from the bench at home to Anderlecht. Had plenty of chances in the first half after teeing up national team colleague Emerson in the opening minutes, he first attempted an audacious effort from 30 yards that almost found the target, turning well to put two other chances wide, but close later on. His hold-up play was largely good and like the win over Fulham, he got plenty of chances, but they were not as clear cut as last week's London derby. Had chances in the second half too, first just meeting a cross that was difficult for him to meet, then forcing a good save out of Gavin Bazunu when played through by Paqueta. Had the chances, but no goal this time. 6

Lucas Paqueta

It was a third consecutive start in all competitions for Lucas Paqueta that saw him start in three different positions. A week ago, he was a No.10 in the over Fulham, he then played as a False 9 against Anderlecht and started at St Mary's as an inverted left winger. Still in search of a first goal for the club, but came the closest yet to doing so. While some of his chances were a fair way off, he came closer with others, seeing a first-half header glance across goal and wide, while also having the only shot on target prior to the goal. Seemed more in the game as it went on, drifting into more of a central position, coming off late on. 6

Substitutes

Said Benrahma

Having scored directly from a free-kick against Anderlecht, Said Benrahma was given just over 30 minutes to try and turn the game back in West Ham's favour, moving from a 3-4-2-1 formation to a 4-2-3-1. Within minutes of coming on, he set up the equaliser, with good running down the left and link up with Cresswell and Rice, before the latter finished superbly. Has surely put his hand up for a start at Liverpool on Wednesday with the effect he had from the bench. 7

Manuel Lanzini

Got a rare run-out late on, but failed to make an impact. N/A

Michail Antonio

Had been struggling with illness, playing only a few minutes at the end. N/A

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