West Ham offered a disjointed defensive display as they grappled to find a draw at Brentford
West Ham could once again not find the winner as they drew 1-1 with Brentford following an almost immediate goal from Bryan Mbeumo and a second-half equaliser from Tomas Soucek.
On a day on which all eyes are on a flailing Julen Lopetegui the Irons suffered the worst state imaginable with Bees star Mbeumo scoring within a minute of the whistle. Despite the goal’s immediacy, however, it somehow felt as if it was inevitable. It was an exceptional strike from the Brentford star but that does not detract from the Irons’ own errors with the build-up to the goal being avoidable
But how quickly fans can turn with those boos changing to cheers after Tomas Soucek found an equaliser shortly after the restart. In similar fashion to the Irons’ style of choice, it was a scrappy and perfunctory goal – but a goal it was.
Luckily for the fans, the desperation to find a winner created a far more end-to-end second half than what had been witnessed in the first. Brentford fans will feel aggrieved not to have been awarded an added time penalty as they produced a mighty onslaught onto the Irons’ defence and, in spite of an exceptionally nail-biting last ten minutes for the away fans, the game would ended with just one point apiece as Lopetegui’s future hangs in the balance.
After such a poor defensive campaign in 2023/24, Lopetegui’s primary transfer aim was to improve the back line. However, for the opening 20 minutes, it felt as if little had changed with West Ham in complete disarray, looking startled and unorganised whenever the home side were making a break.The Irons would not be without their opportunities, however, with Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus doing their utmost to provide an equaliser. But, as they often found themselves without any help, the first 45 minutes ended with the Irons walking off to a chorus of boos.Here at Hakimisports West Ham ratings following the 1-1 draw at the Gtech Community StadiumGK Alphonse Areola
Areola’s defence did not give him an easy ride at the Gtech Community Stadium. There was very little he could have done with Mbeumo’s striker, which was excellent. Excellent save in the 61st minute
RB – Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7
The most consistent defender throughout the 90 minutes, tracking back well when required while also contributing highly effectively up the right flank in the first half, and left in the second.
Worked tirelessly to rally some necessary assault and energy from his teammates who were not always willing to oblige.
CB Jean-Clair Todibo 6.5
A first Premier League start for the Frenchman whose nerves showed early on. A scrappy beginning with a poor clearance ultimately leading to Mbeumo’s first goal.
Grew into the game, undoubtedly, and certainly showed many signs of promise for Lopetegui and the Irons fans.
CB Max Kilman – 5
A slow, sluggish and clumsy first-half from Kilman. While he offered moments of defensive excellence, with the skill mainly coming from his height, the ex-Wolves star still has much work to do.
A more solid display shown in the second-half, making a crucial save when his teammates had failed.
LB Emerson Palmieri – 3
Silly and unnecessary foul leading to opportune free-kick. Changed at half-time having contributed little, except providing his goalkeeper with more headaches.
CM Guido Rodriguez – 4
Paired reasonably well with Kilman in defensive midfield set-up but an underwhelming game for the new recruit.
CM Tomas Soucek 6
Undersevedly, considering his first-half lack of action, will get praise for scoring the equaliser. It was hardly the screamer Mbeumo produced in the first half but that will not matter one jot for the club in desperate need of points.
CAM Lucas Paqueta – 6
A quiet day for the usually flamboyant Paqueta who provided a much more defensive role than his normal attacking style of play.
LW Mohammed Kudus – 7
Bizarrely changed at the break for Carlos Soler. He had been one of West Ham’s most impactful players going forward, but, similarly to Bowen, had no other players to help him at times. An odd substitution for someone who had been a rare beacon of hope.RW Jarrod Bowen 7.5
Offering plenty of options as he powers through the pitch but no-one is there to help him. Frustration evidently began to show from the Irons captain who did his best to keep up the attack.
STR Michail Antonio – 5
Another controversial figure in the starting line-up and didn’t offer too much to change this opinion. Subbed in the 75th minute, arguably much later than he should have been.
Carlos Soler – 7
Excellent pace and pressure provided by the PSG loan star. It was just a shame that his arrival meant the departure of Kudus from the pitch.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 7
Far superior addition to to Emerson, firing up chances of his own in the box.
Danny Ings
Offered little more than his predecessor had done before him after coming into the action in 75th minute.
Crysencio Summerville
Will be sorry not to have come on sooner, as many fans believed he should have done
Leave a Reply