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Football London
Football London
Sport
Robert Warlow

West Ham player ratings with Danny Ings wasteful as Lucas Paqueta impresses in Leicester defeat

West Ham United finished the Premier League campaign with a 2-1 defeat at Leicester City on the final day of the season.

The Hammers went into the game with little to play for against a Leicester side battling to avoid relegation.

The Hammers started the game well, but had a few attempts at goal off target, including from Pablo Fornals and Michail Antonio. And they found themselves behind when Harvey Barnes gave Leicester the lead with a well-taken goal 35 minutes in, latching on to a return pass from Kelechi Iheanacho to finish past Lukasz Fabianski.

READ MORE: Every word David Moyes said on Leicester clash, team news, Gianluca Scamacca and Declan Rice

Said Benrahma hit the post in the second half as West Ham pushed forward, but Leicester doubled their lead soon after as Wout Faes headed home a Youri Tielemans free kick.

Pablo Fornals halved the deficit with a fine finish off the post after the Hammers had wasted a couple of good chances.

Here's how we rated the West Ham players at the King Power Stadium.

Lukasz Fabianski - 6

The Polish goalkeeper has very little to do in the early stages of the game. He could do little about Harvey Barnes' opener, which was a well-worked goal and fine finish past the Hammers' goalkeeper.

He made a couple of routine saves, and could not be blamed for Leicester's second as Faes headed home.

Vladimir Coufal - 6

Got forward well from right-back and put some good passes into the box, while also doing his bit defensively when called upon. Leicester's first goal came from his side of the pitch, with the Czech Republic defender not getting out quick enough to Barnes.

Thilo Kehrer - 6

Brought back into the starting lineup, he was competent in possession and he largely did his defensive duties well. But as a defensive unit, he and the rest of the West Ham defence will be disappointed with the two goals conceded.

Nayef Aguerd - 6

Returning to the starting XI, the Moroccan made a crucial interception early on to cut out a James Maddison pass intended for Kelechi Iheanacho. He also did well to deny the striker with a good show of strength to recover and make a challenge after a ball over the top.

Aaron Cresswell - 5

Almost played West Ham into trouble with a loose pass inside the first ten minutes, but was fortunate that Harvey Barnes did not take advantage. Did well late on in the first half to watch a ball over his head and make a vital interception.

Declan Rice shows his frustration as he speaks with Kelechi Iheanacho. ((Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images))

Declan Rice - 6

The Hammers' captain made a few nice passes through the lines into Michail Antonio, but was not at his best. He committed a few fouls as Leicester got on top in the first half. Improved in the second half with some good long passes as West Ham tried to get back into the game.

Flynn Downes - 5

Given a chance from the start, he was neat and tidy in midfield, keeping the ball moving and breaking up play when he could. Was not able to stop Barnes from getting on to Iheanacho's pass to give the Foxes the lead.

Pablo Fornals - 5

The Spaniard got forward well from midfield, but his final pass or shot was not always what he would have wanted as Moyes showed his frustration on the touchline.

He did, however, find the target with a fine finish off the post to halve the deficit and give the Hammers hope of getting a result.

Lucas Paqueta - 7

The Brazilian showed some nice touches and strength in midfield, working his way out of some tight spaces with good skill and poise on the ball in a bright start to the game. His impact faded as it wore on though and he was brought off in the second half.

Said Benrahma - 5

The former Brentford man got into some good positions down the West Ham left, but was wasteful at times in a frustrating afternoon going forward for the Hammers. He did hit the post with a curling effort from outside the box in his best attempt, shortly before being replaced.

Michail Antonio - 5

Brought back in upfront, he led the line on his own, but he had few sights at goal, particularly in the first half. His hold up play was generally good but he was feeding off of scraps in front of goal before he was substituted.

Substitutes:

Danny Ings (on for Antonio, 62) - 4

Brought on after Leicester's second goal, but was booked shortly after. He then missed a golden opportunity from close range, blazing over the bar from Jarrod Bowen's cut back.

He was also wayward with another effort shortly after on an afternoon to forget for him.

Jarrod Bowen (on for Benrahma, 62) - 6

Looked to get involved soon after coming on and should have had an assist, but Danny Ings blazed over after he had found him in space.

Emerson (on for Cresswell, 71) - 5

Put in a couple of good deliveries into the box after coming on as West Ham chased an equaliser.

Maxwel Cornet (on for Lucas Paqueta, 71) - 5

Attempted the spectacular as he acrobatically met a cross, only to see the ball fly high over the bar.

Manuel Lanzini (on for Downes, 86) - N/A

Not much time to make an impact.

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