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Football London

Sport

Jonty Colman

West Ham player ratings: Declan Rice stars on potential London Stadium finale vs Leeds United

Declan Rice West Ham Leeds United David Moyes Jarrod Bowen Lucas Paqueta Pablo Fornals Danny Ings Manuel Lanzini EPL

West Ham United came from behind to beat Leeds United with a 3-1 victory at the London Stadium.

Rodrigo had volleyed Leeds in front in the first half, a goal cancelled out later in the half by another volley from Declan Rice. Jarrod Bowen's goal inside the final 20 minutes of the tie sealed victory, with Manuel Lanzini adding a late third in stoppage time which moved the Hammers up to 14th.

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

Lukasz Fabianski

Lukasz Fabianski was among those starting after not featuring in the midweek Europa Conference League final win over AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night. Made a good save early on to keep out a well-hit volley from Jack Harrison, but was unable to do the same minutes later to deny Rodrigo's opener. Made one or two further saves before the break as he was denied a ninth Premier League clean sheet of the season. Strong when he needed to be in the second half, although Leeds did not trouble him too much. 6

Vladimir Coufal

Czech Republic right-back Vladimir Coufal was in the starting lineup after not featuring in the last four matches due to a hamstring issue. Found himself in a battle with Jack Harrison early on, but was largely able to limit Harrison's influence in attack. Added one or two long throws, including one shortly after Leeds' opener that found Kurt Zouma, whose flick on was not met. Got one or two crosses in and had an all-round solid game. 7

Kurt Zouma

Frenchman Kurt Zouma was the only member of the back four to start in Alkmaar that kept his place against Leeds. Largely defended solidly, but once or twice looked a touch vulnerable in possession, including one moment in the first half that saw him tackled and Rodrigo start a counter attack, only for Wilfried Gnonto and Jack Harrison to fluff their lines at the pivotal moment. Replaced at half-time. 6

Angelo Ogbonna

Italian centre-back Angelo Ogbonna was recalled as one of the few players who came through the 2-0 loss at Brentford with much credit. A good display in the centre of defence, making a number of blocks, clearances and and interceptions, although he was among those who could have done better in tracking Rodrigo's run for the opening goal. Really good in the second half as Leeds looked more like threatening, but often struggled to get through the Hammers' defence. 7

Emerson

Italian left-back Emerson completed the back four, given a chance ahead of Aaron Cresswell. Emerson offered promise going forward in the first half and linked up with Pablo Fornals well in attack, going close himself when driving a low shot on goal. Perhaps could have done better for the goal, like Ogbonna and Fornals, but defended excellently in the second half, the best of which to get a block in which kept out Crysencio Summerville with a chance to make it 2-2. A really good showing. 7

Tomas Soucek

Czech midfielder Tomas Soucek has been the only player to start the last four games in all competitions, both legs against Alkmaar and the meetings with Brentford and Leeds. Physically, Soucek put his body on the line throughout and battled with his size and strength as he so often does for the Hammers. Used his physical qualities well in the second half to limit Leeds' capabilities going forward. Came close to scoring in both halves, first getting a shot on goal at the end of a corner routine, before nodding a Jarrod Bowen corner on goal that forced Robles to tip over. 7

Declan Rice (Star man)

While nothing is confirmed, there was an overriding feeling that this was Declan Rice's final game as a West Ham player at the London Stadium. Handed the well-deserved Hammer of the Year award ahead of kick-off, Rice got his fifth goal of the season to level things up at the end of a team move involving Fornals and Bowen, popping up at the back post to volley past Robles with a finish most forwards would have been proud of. If that was to be his final Premier League home match for the club, it certainly ranked up there with his better showings, and he almost added a second goal in stoppage time as Paqueta attempted to unselfishly square to him. 8

Lucas Paqueta

Brazilian Lucas Paqueta was also included as Moyes made no alterations to his midfield trio from midweek. Paqueta, whose first West Ham goal came from the penalty spot against Leeds in January. Paqueta has really grown in this midfield and in this team, showing his class on so many occasions with the ball. Went close to scoring when a second half shot forced Joel Robles into action. Had roulettes, turns, flicks and tricks that showed why West Ham paid as much as they did for him and if Rice is not here next season, you do not have to look much further than Paqueta for a new poster boy at the club. Got a deserved assist in stunning fashion late on, cleverly doing a ball roll on the byline at the end of a short corner before squaring it for Lanzini to score. Almost got a second assist before Lanzini's goal when playing in Ings and after when his attempted to square ball to give Rice a tap-in was cut out. Sensational. 8

Jarrod Bowen

Jarrod Bowen has been in much better form during the second half of this season and after not his best showing in Alkmaar, more than made up for it against Leeds. His link up with Fornals, met by his dinked cross towards the back post was met superbly by Rice to make it 1-1. Slotted in to make it 2-1 with less than 20 minutes to go when latching onto Ings' through ball to poke past Robles. A goal, assist, a number of brilliant corners and plenty of direct running showed him at his best. 8

Danny Ings

Striker Danny Ings won a second straight start in the Premier League, hoping to get a goal after having one harshly ruled out in midweek. Ings' biggest flaw leading the line this season has been his link up play in attack and ability to lead a line single handedly. Did that excellently, ran well, dropped deep and showed good creativity. Close to scoring when his shot was blocked by the backside of Bowen, but set him up for his goal with an intelligently dinked pass. 7

Pablo Fornals

Spaniard Pablo Fornals was the hero in Alkmaar, scoring a stoppage time stunner to seal a place in the final, a goal that rewarded him with a start against Leeds. Brilliant as his semi-final winner seemed to give him a huge boost. Played a brilliant give and go with Bowen for the first goal and showed his creativity throughout, making several key passes and great runs. Tracked and grafted throughout. A really good display and certainly one to give Moyes food for though. 7

Substitutes

Thilo Kehrer

Having started ahead of Coufal in his recent absence at right-back, Thilo Keher started on the bench, but was introduced at half-time in place of Zouma, meaning the German filled in centrally. A solid shift centrally and did well when winning the ball to start attacks. 6

Manuel Lanzini

Like Rice, there was a chance that Manuel Lanzini was also making his final London Stadium appearance, coming on for the final seven minutes. Given a great reception as he replaced Bowen. Marked his potential bow out with a first Premier League goal of the season, converting at the end of a Paqueta, cross, whose run to get there was nothing short of sublime. N/A

Ben Johnson

Right-back Ben Johnson was bought into the game in second half stoppage. time. N/A

Divin Mubama

Also bought on in second half stoppage time with with Ben Johnson. Came agonisingly close to a first Premier League goal late on. N/A

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