West Ham United have moved six points clear of the Premier League's relegation zone and up to 13th in the table with a 4-0 victory away at Bournemouth.
Early headers from Michail Antonio and Lucas Paqueta saw the Hammers lead most of the first half by two goals, adding a third on the stroke of half-time by captain Declan Rice. Pablo Fornals came off the bench in the second half to add a fourth with a superb scorpion kick.
Here is how football.london’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against the Cherries.
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Lukasz Fabianski
Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was one of two players who was recalled after rests in midweek against Gent. Although West Ham did race to a 2-0 lead, he was needed a lot in the first half, making some big saves to deny Marcus Tavernier and Dominic Solanke, as well as a Jefferson Lerma shot from range to keep it 2-0 before Rice added a third. Needed more in the second half, although it was more of a case of Bournemouth being wasteful that Fabianski's importance as it was before half-time. A very decent performance and a thoroughly deserved clean sheet. 8
Vladimir Coufal (Star man)
Arguably West Ham's best player in the first half was Vladimir Coufal at right-back, despite being 3-0 up at the break. Coufal played a big role in the second goal, challenging Tavernier and exchanging a quick pass with Jarrod Bowen before sending a loopy cross into the box for Paqueta to nod home. After that, he made a few important blocks and defensive interventions. For all of West Ham's attacking quality, they need solidity at the the back to set a base and not let their advantage slip. Got exactly that, helped by the quality of Coufal. Afforded a rare rest late on, but was awesome and has been good for a sustained period now. 8
Kurt Zouma
French centre-back Kurt Zouma was absolutely superb at the back, like Coufal next to him. Made a number of blocks and clearing headers, as well as interceptions to stop Bournemouth moves and had the control to keep hold of the ball, pass it out and lead to West Ham counter attacks. A few West Ham players are in top form right now and Zouma is among them. 8
Nayef Aguerd
Moroccan centre-back Nayef Aguerd struggled at first to keep hold of Solanke up front, with David Moyes heard on the sidelines shouting at him to not mark him too tightly, although he did make a couple of big clearances despite shaky moments. Better in the second half as Bournemouth struggled more to find the target, partnering up with Zouma to steady, control and keep a needed clean sheet. 7
Aaron Cresswell
Recalled after a midweek rest, it was an Aaron Cresswell corner that helped to set the tone early on, giving West Ham the lead just five minutes in with an excellent cross that sat perfectly for Antonio to nod in. Solid after that, did not let Bournemouth attack all that much down his side and again, he is coming into good form. 7
Tomas Soucek
Probably one of Tomas Soucek's best games in a while, both with his defensive work and technical attributes. Added bite and aggression in midfield as and when West Ham needed it, as well as making some key blocks and tackles. His solidity allowed Rice and Paqueta to be more free-flowing. Largely moved the ball around well too, as often recently, that has not been the case. 7
Declan Rice
Declan Rice was not having the best of games in the first half, but a quick talk with Moyes shortly before his brilliant goal seemed to give him a kick up the backside. Got his second goal in under 72 hours when thumping in at the end of a half-cleared corner. Good in the second half and started the move for Fornals to make it 4-0. Chants of "one more year" from the away fans showed just how much he means to the team, and his goals and second half performance showed that. 7
Lucas Paqueta
Paqueta oozed in class once again and like Antonio and Rice, backed up goals in midweek with another on the south coast. A good header at the end of Coufal's cross doubled West Ham's advantage and helped take an early stronghold in the game, which West Ham maintaned. Some fancy, but clever flicks and touches helped cause Bournemouth problems and he created some good chances for Antonio in the second half that were not taken. Given a small rest at the end. 8
Jarrod Bowen
A really good runout for Jarrod Bowen on the right side, involved in the second goal when exchanging the ball quickly with Coufal, leading to the cross for Paqueta. Had some good chances of his own but could not beat Neto. His cross led to Fornals' stunning acrobatic effort to seal vitory at 4-0 and he stretched the play throughout brilliantly. On a really good run of direct goal contributions, mainly assists. 8
Michail Antonio
Antonio took little time to add to his two goals from midweek, heading in brilliantly at Cresswell's corner five minutes in to open the scoring, West Ham's earliest Premier League goal since December 2021 and their first in the opening 15 minutes of a league game all season. A really good header from Antonio, although gifted by Bournemouth's lack of marking, he pounced when needed. A good outlet when needed to hold-up and start moves or win fouls. Could and probably should have got another in the second half as Paqueta created good chances for him, but either his decision making before shooting, or the shot itself, let him down. 7
Said Benrahma
A game of missed chances for Said Benrahma, who could have easily got a goal or two to his name. Found the target on a couple of occasions and while one shot lacked power, the other did not, but both were aimed straight at Neto. A good outlet on the counter, but with more cutting edge, could and should have added to the goal tally. 6
Substitutes
Danny Ings
Midway through the second half, West Ham opted for a double change, with Ings replacing Antonio hoping to add more goals to West Ham's forward line. Won good headers and caused problems for Bournemouth, despite limited service or chance to get shots off. 6
Pablo Fornals
Fornals came on alongside Ings and added a fourth goal in some style, acrobatically getting on the end of a Bowen cross with a brilliant scorpion kick. Seen in tears after it, getting a lot of love from the travelling West Ham fans. Created a golden chance for Cornet to make it 5-0, although it was ruled out. 7
Maxwel Cornet
Thought he had scored a first West Ham goal late on when converting at the end of a Fornals cross, although not taken first time. Only to be deemed offside. Good energy and promise though. 6
Flynn Downes
Given just over 15 minutes to make an impact and almost opened his West Ham account, hitting a shot from range to force Neto into a save. 5
Thilo Kehrer
West Ham's final change saw Thilo Kehrer thrown into the equation at right-back for Coufal, with Czech Republic defender playing almost every minute in recent weeks. 5
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