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Football London

Sport

Jonty Colman

West Ham player ratings as Nayef Aguerd has day to forget for rotated Hammers in Brentford loss

West Ham Nayef Aguerd Brentford Hammers Danny Ings EPL David Moyes Bryan Mbeumo Manuel Lanzini Declan Rice

West Ham United missed the chance to seal Premier League survival following a 2-0 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

First half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa sealed three points for the Bees, meaning mathematically, West Ham cannot seal their place in next season's Premier League until at least next week.

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

Lukasz Fabianski - star man

Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was one of nine players who started having not done so against AZ Alkmaar less than 72 hours ago, making his 350th career Premier League appearance. Despite conceding Mbeumo's opener on the 20 minute mark, had it not been for Fabianski, West Ham would have been much further behind at half-time. Shortly before Wissa's header, Fabianski first saved a well-hit low strike from him before producing a triple save to keep out a Brentford long throw which led to him being forced into three saves, all of which were excellent. Made more saves in the second half, but could have done better when Mbeumo made it 1-0. A couple of more brilliant saves helped keep it at 2-0 late on. 7

Ben Johnson

With Thilo Kehrer rested and Vladimir Coufal still sidelined, Ben Johnson was given a rare start in the side at right-back, a big chance to stake his claim after limited minutes this season, especially since the World Cup. One of the few West Ham players who could come out of the first half with any real credit as he made a number of clearances on his side and showed attacking intent with his passing. Forced David Raya into a second half strike with a low shot, but struggled more defensively in the second half. Some promise at times, though. 6

Nayef Aguerd

Moroccan centre-back Nayef Aguerd was one of two players still in the side from the one that beat Alkmaar on Thursday night, moving to the right side of the centre-back pairing, with Kurt Zouma rested. A poor game for Aguerd, who was at fault for both goals. His poor pass in the first half put Flynn Downes into a tricky position, with Brentford countering and scoring from it through Mbeumo. It was also Aguerd who was beaten far too easily by Wissa in the air at the end of a long throw to make it 2-0. Better in the second half, but both big mistakes fell at his door and it has not been the first half a risky pass of his has proved costly. 4

Angelo Ogbonna

Having missed the first leg win over AZ Alkmaar through illness, Angelo Ogbonna was back in the starting side and started as captain, with Declan Rice and Aaron Cresswell both on the bench. While Aguerd did not have one of his better games, Ogbonna next to him was pretty solid. Made one or two important tackles and a huge aerial block with his leg to cut out Mbeumo making it 3-0 with a second half header. Showed his leadership with plenty of shouting throughout the game. 6

Emerson

With Cresswell among those rested, Italian Emerson was given a chance at left-back, one of the two nine arrivals this season in it. Had one of two West Ham shots on target in the first half with a foray forward and effort on his weaker side. His close-range passing and all-round defending was not up to scratch. Among those given a chance that they did not take. 5

Tomas Soucek

Midfielder Tomas Soucek was, alongside Aguerd, the other member of the starting side against AZ Alkmaar who was kept in the starting side, anchoring a midfield alongside two players whose Premier League minutes this season have been few and far between. Despite being a regular starter, Soucek hardly saw the ball in the first half, although much could be said for the remainder of West Ham's outfield players. Taken off before the hour mark, partly as a rest, but with an element of needing more quality on the pitch. 5

Flynn Downes

There was a start for Flynn Downes in the Premier League in his 20th top-flight outing, his sixth league start and his fifth away from home. Not a great game for Downes, who early on, caught a Brentford player with a high tackle and had to control his emotions. Was caught out by Brentford in the build-up to their first goal, although it was more to do with Aguerd's pass than him. Lacked intensity and directness going forward with his passing. An opportunity not taken well. 5

Manuel Lanzini

One of the big surprises in the starting side was a spot for Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini, who has not started a Premier League match since the opening weekend defeat to Manchester City in August. With his current contract set to expire in August, it is likely that this is one of, if not his last, starts in a West Ham shirt. A mixed first half, although he moved the ball around and looked to be West Ham's most creative player, showing some signs of link-up with Ings. West Ham showed more intent after half-time, with Lanzini improving. Robbed of an assist when Ings converted his cross, only to be ruled out minutes later. Gave the ball away at times, but not the worst showing. 6

Pablo Fornals

Spaniard Pablo Fornals was also among those given a chance to shine with virtually all of the side that start against Alkmaar rested. Starting on the right, Fornals did not do much to trouble Brentford's back line, did not pass with enough quality when trying to break through the lines often and lacked the endeavour of Jarrod Bowen, although he did press throughout his near hour-long runout. Among those taken off shortly before the hour mark. 5

Danny Ings

Striker Danny Ings has not scored in the Premier League since his quick-fire double on his full league debut against Nottingham Forest in February and would have been keen to add to his tally of eight goals for the campaign in England's top-flight. Created a chance out of nothing shortly after 2-0 when getting a volley on goal off a long ball, forcing David Raya into a save. Dropped deep and linked up well at times. Was on hand to nod home Lanzini's cross, but the goal was harshly ruled out. Better when the reinforcements came on. Taken off with seven minutes to go. 6

Maxwel Cornet

There was a big chance for Maxwel Cornet on the left wing, who was making only his second Premier League start for West Ham and his first since his league debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers on October 1, a game where a calf injury forced him off before half-time. For a player of such pace and dynamism, he did not show any of it in the first half and needed a half-time team talk to add that to his game before getting taken off before the hour mark. Not a great run out, with Said Benrahma significantly an improvement when replacing him. 5

Substitutes

Declan Rice

With West Ham being dominated, David Moyes turned to the bench to make a triple change before the hour mark, with Declan Rice replacing Soucek in midfield. Was left screaming at the referee as he disallowed Ings' goal incredibly harshly for handball. Largely played deep to allow others to get forward. 5

Divin Mubama

The second part of that change saw 18-year-old striker Mubama come on up front in place of Fornals, adding physicality which had been largely absent before he came on. Added pace, grafted, battled and won headers, although harshly was the reason Ings' goal was ruled out as the ball hit his hand when he tried to protect himself from crashing into the post. Ran for his 30 minute cameo relentlessly, a good account he gave of himself. 6

Said Benrahma

Against his old club, Said Benrahma was the final part of the triple change, replacing Cornet down the left side. His cross towards the back post hit the post and hit Mubama, which led to Lanzini's cross for Ings to convert. Had chances when breaking forward and showed plenty of intent, but was at times selfish. Did do well to stretch the pitch at times though, forcing Brentford right-back Aaron Hickey into action multiple times. West Ham would have had much more creativity if he started. 6

Jarrod Bowen

Lost his record for starting every Premier League game this season when given a rare rest. Was brought on with just under ten minutes to go. N/A

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