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Football London
Football London
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Jonty Colman

West Ham player ratings: David Moyes' side drop into relegation zone after Daniel Podence winner

West Ham United have dropped into the relegation zone for the first time in over three months after a 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Daniel Podence's goal early in the second half sealed three points for the Old Gold as the Hammers dropped down to 18th, with Wolves and Southampton winning on a day all of the bottom four played one another.

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

READ MORE: David Moyes pushed into big Craig Dawson decision amid Wolves transfer bid ahead of West Ham tie

Lukasz Fabianski

There was no FA Cup rest at Brentford for Lukasz Fabianski a week ago due to Alphonse Areola's hip injury, with the Polish goalkeeper starting his 19th consecutive league match this season. In the first half, he only had to deal with long shots and crosses, which he did with relative ease. Little he could do really with Podence's goal. Hardly tested, but not his fault the defeat. Made a good save late on to deny Adama Traore. 6

Vladimir Coufal

Vladimir Coufal was one of three players to come into the starting side, having missed last Saturday's FA Cup win with a minor knee injury. Struggled early on with Angelo Ogbonna when trying to deal with a counter-attack, needing Nayef Aguerd to intervene. Came closest with a first-half chance, although his effort at the end of a cross was going wide before the block. 6

Nayef Aguerd

Moroccan centre-back Nayef Aguerd kept his place in the side in the return to a 4-2-3-1, but with Moyes starting two left-footed centre-backs, found himself as the one playing on the right. Defended well largely despite the pass directness of Wolves' front line, got his side out of danger onece or twice. Did get booked for a lunge in the second half, but not much else to fault. 6

Angelo Ogbonna

Next to Aguerd was the experienced Angelo Ogbonna, part of a back line and goalkeeper that included four players aged 30 or over out of a possible five. Barring an early mix-up, Ogbonna did not do an awful lot wrong, but looked like a weak point against a Wolves forward line blessed with pace and an attacking mind-set that allows them to run relentlessly. His partnership with Cresswell lacked serious conviction at times. 5

Aaron Cresswell

Aaron Cresswell has not started in either of the Hammers' last two matches prior to the trip to Wolves, but was recalled with West Ham returning to a back four. Had trouble defending down their side against Wolves and when West Ham needed him to get the right crosses in, time and time again, he struggled to. Had the chance to be creative but lacked the quality required. 5

Lucas Paqueta

Lucas Paqueta was West Ham's best player in the first half, moved the ball excellently and did well to break the lines, putting in the one first half cross that led to West Ham getting a shot off. In the second half, he carried the ball well in midfield and gave Wolves something to think about, but still missed that final touch of quality West Ham needed. 6

Declan Rice (Star man)

Declan Rice captained the Hammers on his 24th birthday, continuing his new-look partnership at the heart of midfield with Paqueta. Moved the ball well in the first half and defended on the front foot. Tried to make things happen late on with two shots as West Ham threw everything they could at getting a leveller. 6

Jarrod Bowen

Winger Jarrod Bowen played really well in the first half, but it was his pressing and interceptions that impressed more, where West Ham got their chances. The shots he did have enough lacked power or accuracy, with Wolves largely shackling him. Good defensively, less so in the final third. 6

Tomas Soucek

Czech Republic international Tomas Soucek kept his place as a makeshift No.10, with Moyes keen to use his aerial prowess and career goalscoring record to add to West Ham's shortcomings up front this term. Struggled in possession, with his crosses often being mis-hit. Did create West Ham's best chance of the first half, flicking on at a Paqueta cross that led to Coufal's blocked shot. Poor after the break, but found himself off for Said Benrahma before the hour mark, which gave West Ham a lift. 5

Pablo Fornals

Spaniard Pablo Fornals returned to the starting side for a second consecutive league match, having impressed at Leeds United 10 days ago, especially with his pressing. Was an outlet on the left for the first half, but his link up play for final action was not able to get through Wolves. Very quiet after half time and was taken off with 15 minutes ago, did not press with anywhere near as much intensity as he did against Leeds United. 5

Michail Antonio

Despite Gianluca Scamacca's return from a knee injury that saw him miss Brentford, Michail Antonio was preferred up front. Offered very little in the first half, but did almost catch out Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa when pressing high. Wasted one or two good attacks with poor passing in moves where West Ham could have done better. Better at drawing fouls out of the break but never looked like scoring, often finding himself trying to do too much on the ball. 5

Substitutes

Said Benrahma

Shortly before the hour mark, Moyes turned to Brentford match winner Said Benrahma in a move that saw Fornals move centrally and Soucek come off. Gave West Ham a big lift when coming on, making direct runs towards the box, beating players and just looking capable of creating something. Had a good chance with a shot, but Jose Sa met it well. 6

Gianluca Scamacca

The Italian striker was back in the squad following a short-term knee injury, replacing Fornals to partner Antonio up front for the final 15 minutes. Came close late on, heading wide at a cross. Teed up Benrahma for a good chance that was snatched at minutes earlier. 6

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