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Football London

Sport

Jonty Colman

West Ham player ratings: Tomas Soucek's starring role not enough in frantic Crystal Palace loss

West Ham Palace Tomas Soucek Crystal Palace David Moyes Michail Antonio Nayef Aguerd EPL Jeffrey Schlupp Wilfried Zaha

West Ham United missed the chance to extend their five-point advantage over the Premier League's relegation zone with a 4-3 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday lunchtime.

Despite taking the lead early on through Tomas Soucek's header, West Ham found themselves 3-1 down midway through the first half following quickfire goals from Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha and Jeffrey Schlupp. Michail Antonio had given the visitors a lifeline with a header at the end of the first half, only for Palace to restore their two-goal advantage courtesy of a Eberechi Eze penalty. Nayef Aguerd made it 4-3 with a second-half header.

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

Lukasz Fabianski

Lukasz Fabianski’s previous two Premier League away matches had ended in clean sheets during wins at Fulham and Bournemouth. Went from his joint-lowest numbers of goals conceded to the highest at Selhurst Park, although not many of them were his fault. Beaten in one vs one situations for goals one and three by Ayew and Schlupp. The second was a tap-in, with Aguerd stood in front of him. The fourth was an Eze penalty, which sent him the wrong way. Did make some saves, including one to deny Michael Olise from range. Not on him that four were conceded, but still not a great look. 6

Vladimir Coufal

A tricky afternoon for Czech Republic international Vladimir Coufal, who saw close friend Soucek get a goal and two assists. Had a tricky task trying to keep Zaha quiet and afforded him too much space at times. Caught too centrally in the build-up to Palace's second goal, allowing Zaha a tap-in. Tried to get forward and make things happen, but did not do so with the quality needed. 5

Kurt Zouma

It was a short afternoon for French centre-back Kurt Zouma. He was guilty of letting Ayew run across him too easily as the start of West Ham's implosion. Went down injured shortly after and hobbled off, with Zaha putting Palace in front shortly after he was taken off. 5

Nayef Aguerd

Not the best of showings for Aguerd, although his late goal did give West Ham something to go for in the closing stages. Appeared to block off Fabianski in the build-up to Zaha making it 2-1, and also played Soucek a pass in close range that led to him being tackled by Schlupp for the third goal. Also gave away the penalty for a foul on Eze, albeit a soft one, which allowed him to score and make it 4-2 from the penalty spot. Did make a number of clearances and defensive interventions, but was at the heart of much of West Ham's downfall. 5

Emerson

Left-back Emerson was recalled to the starting side, having lost his spot to vice-captain Aaron Cresswell as of late. Taken off at half-time, with Moyes feeling that a whole new left side was needed at half-time. Palace's second goal came down West Ham's left side after Emerson slipped and Palace pounced. Lacked the defensive solidity as Palace were rampant before half-time. Did however take the corner which led to Antonio getting West Ham back in it at the end of the half. 5

Tomas Soucek (Star man)

One of more interesting winners of the star man accolade this season and although he did gift Palace a goal when he was tackled by Schlupp to make it 3-1, if it was not for Soucek, West Ham wold have been truly thumped in this London derby. Opened the scoring with his first goal of the season, a strong left-footed finish at the end of a poorly-cleared corner. Gave away a clanger when caught out on the ball by Schlupp, but amends later in the first half when his header at Emerson's corner picked out Antonio at the back post to nod in. Made several clearing headers in the second half when Palace attempted to cause problems at crosses and set-pieces before getting yet another assist as his flick-on was scrambled in by Aguerd. 8

Declan Rice

Captain Declan Rice became only the sixth player in West Ham history to make 200 Premier League appearances for the club, but he largely had a game well-below par. Forced to defend largely, but did not have the same imperious control he often does in the heart of the pitch. The only run of note he did make going forward saw him start that move that led to the corner where Antonio scored. Not a great game by his very high standards. 5

Lucas Paqueta

After scoring in three consecutive games for the first time since April 2021 in midweek, Lucas Paqueta was chasing a fourth straight game with a goal for the first time in his career. Failed to really add that flair West Ham were looking for as his scoring streak ended. Surprisngly taken off midway through the second half as Moyes went to a strike partnership. Palace's players largely ran midfield and although he tried to press, cause problems and create, more often than not, he was shackled. 5

Jarrod Bowen

From open play, Jarrod Bowen did very little in the game, being limited to what he could do by Tyrick Mitchell. However, his corners were influential, with one leading to Soucek's opener and another being the source of Aguerd's goal. Had it not been for those, Palace could have cruised it. 6

Michail Antonio

The Jamaican international would have been keen for an improved display from the defeat to Liverpool, having done great to assist Paqueta’s stunner, only to be the man who lost Joel Matip at a corner for the Reds’ second goal. Antonio's service was very limited in the game, but he battled despite the tough test of facing Joachim Andersen against him. Antonio scored at 3-1 to give West Ham a lifeline and gave them one more when winning a corner that led to Aguerd scoring, having also been involved in the backpost bundle. One of a few that could come out with much credit. 7

Pablo Fornals

Spaniard Pablo Fornals was back in for only his fourth Premier League start of 2023, having scored a superb scorpion kick off the bench six days ago at Bournemouth. His recent goal and ability to press made it no surprise that he was given a start, especially away from home. Did very little though against Palace and was taken off at the break. 5

Substitutes

Angelo Ogbonna

Experienced Italian centre-back Angelo Ogbonna was bought on in just under 20 minutes after Zouma was forced off injured. Within seconds, Palace were 2-1 up, but several players could have done better in the move. Improvement in the second half, but like the rest of the back line, struggled to keep out a Palace side who have been free-scoring. 5

Aaron Cresswell

The two changes made by David Moyes for this game were undone by him at half-time, with Cresswell coming on at left-back for Emerson. Added more discipline and control to the back line in the second half and did fairly well to stop those attacking his side. 6

Said Benrahma

Having been dropped from the loss to Liverpool, Said Benrahma was also thrown into the mix at the break, coming on for Fornals. Better for being an outlet but did very little to trouble the hosts. 5

Danny Ings

Danny Ings was bought on with just over 20 minutes remaining with Palace 4-2 up at the time as Moyes switched to a strike duo. Failed to make an impact. 5