West Ham United have exited the Carabao Cup at the third round stage after suffering a 10-9 defeat on penalties to Blackburn Rovers, having drew 2-2 in 90 minutes.
Visitors Blackburn did take the lead in the first half through Jack Vale, with Pablo Fornals equalising before half-time. Michail Antonio sealed victory with just over ten minutes remaining with a shot from the edge of the penalty area, only for substitute Ben Brereton Diaz to snatch a late equaliser to send the ties to penalties. After 19 perfect penalties, Angelo Ogbonna hit the bar to give Blackburn a cup upset.
Here is how football.london ’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against Blackburn.
READ MORE: David Moyes’ future, Jarrod Bowen’s World Cup place, Said Benrahma - West Ham behind the scenes
Alphonse Areola
Alphonse Areola had just finished his pre-match warm-up when he was named in France's World Cup squad, having played in both of their UEFA Nations League matches in September. Forced into action early on when Dilan Markanday was put through on goal off a poor Nayef Aguerd pass but saved well. Unable to do the same minutes later when Vale gave Blackburn an early lead, almost conceding a second to Markanday on the stroke of half-time only for Aguerd to block. Had little to do in the second half and will have been very frustrated to have conceded late on. Did not save any of the ten penalties he saved. 6
Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson was left out of the 20-man squad that loss to Crystal Palace on Sunday but was back in the starting 11 as a right centre-back. Early on, Blackburn got way too much join down the Hammers' right side, with Johnson forced into a few clearances early on. Better in the second half, among others with West Ham dominating after levelling the game, but his mistake led to Brereton Diaz equalising. Took his penalty well. 5
Nayef Aguerd
There was a third appearance in a West Ham shirt for Nayef Aguerd on his return from an ankle injury, starting in the middle of the centre-back trio. Aguerd almost gifted Blackburn an early opener off a poor back pass but had Areola to thank for his early save. Aguerd returned the favour on the stroke of half-time when blocking Markanday's shot off the line after the winger skipped past Areola. Improved after the break, solid defensively and good on the ball, but did have shaky moments early on. Scored from the spot. 6
Angelo Ogbonna
Angelo Ogbonna resumed his role as the captain of the rotated side, playing on the left of Johnson and Aguerd. A fairly solid first half from the Italian centre-back despite Blackburn causing threat and showing plenty of attacking threat in the first half. The best of West Ham's starting back three on the night, he looked reliable against a heavily rotated Blackburn side. However, his missed spot-kick gave Blackburn the win. 6
Vladimir Coufal
Czech Republic international Vladimir Coufal returned to the side at right wing-back but struggled in the first half, making a few sloppy passes and struggling to get much joy going forward down the right side. Improved but still lacked the impact he would have hoped for high up the pitch, with his best involvement being a cross that awkwardly tested Aynsley Pears after a deflection. 6
Flynn Downes
Flynn Downes featured as a makeshift centre-back the day he played for Swansea City against Blackburn last term, but was in a much higher midfield role, regularly rotating with Manuel Lanzini like the duo did in Romania just under a week ago. Made some good forward runs, although he still seems to be focussing on passing backwards rather than forward, an issue considering the higher role David Moyes has been using him in. Again okay in the second half, good in possession and looked more comfortable when ending the half in a deeper role. Scored from 12 yards. 6
Conor Coventry
Conor Coventry was making his fourth start of the season against Blackburn and gave them a great chance when clipping a ball over the top of his own defence towards the end of the half, forcing Aguerd to block Markanday's chance. Not his best performance, in fact quite a way off it. Improved as West Ham looked more controlled after the break, but they improved even more when he was replaced by Said Benrahma. 5
Emerson
Italian left wing-back Emerson was one of only a few players to impress going forward in the first half. Continued that threat with inverted runs and was consistent, both going forward and with his defending. Taken off with what looked to be an injury shortly before the shootout. 7
Manuel Lanzini
West Ham's midfield was inconsistent but someone who did move the ball well was Manuel Lanzini. Remained composed despite Blackburn's high pressing and played good through balls to lead to chances, with Downes having a cross blocked off Lanzini's good work. Took a good penalty. 7
Pablo Fornals (Star man)
Spaniard Pablo Fornals was West Ham's best on the night. Took his first goal really well and was generally just a bright spark, trying to unlock a largely tight Blackburn defence until he got the equaliser with a great finish. Continued his good work into the second half and was really comfortable on the ball throughout, taken off late on. 7
Michail Antonio
Antonio was involved in both goals but had chances to kill the game off single handedly. His strength and skill led to the chance for the opening goal, despite an awful cross into the box. Missed two golden chances late on, first hitting the post from a yard or two out before having a one vs one saved. Took his goal well with an excellent strike, as he did from the penalty spot. 7
Substitutes
Said Benrahma
There was a huge roar from the home crowd when Said Benrahma was bought on in place of Coventry with 25 minutes remaining. Within seconds, he and Emerson linked up to create a chance for an awkward Coufal cross. Really ignited the time with his introduction, with West Ham having a lot more quality in attack with Benrahma on the pitch. The Algerian created chances and caused problems for the back line, an impressive 25 minute performance. Should have scored late on, but did take his penalty well. 6
Gianluca Scamacca
Manager David Moyes had bought on Gianluca Scamacca alongside Jarrod Bowen shortly before Antonio's winner. Had one good chance on the counter and struck well, but it was blocked. A well-taken penalty in the shootout. 5
Jarrod Bowen
Moyes was forced to turn to Scamacca and Bowen to try and find a late goal for the final portion of the game. Scored his penalty. 5
Aaron Cresswell
On late in place of the injured Emerson, scored his penalty. N/A
READ NEXT:
The Blackburn Rovers player who is a West Ham season ticket holder ahead of Carabao Cup tie
West Ham announce December friendly against Premier League rivals ahead of Arsenal clash
The UEFA ranking that puts West Ham above Juventus, Barcelona, Lazio, Roma and Celtic
West Ham end 189-day wait for victory against Wolves as Divin Mubama continues form
West Ham confirm major academy change amid Stoke City move as former defender takes new role
