West Ham United entertained Gent at the London Stadium earlier tonight as they hoped to secure a win in the UEFA Europa Conference League. The Hammers made a slow start to the game and conceded the opening goal in the 26th minute when Hugo Cuypers found the back of the net for the visitors. However, David Moyes’ men equalised just 11 minutes later courtesy of Michail Antonio’s effort. Both sides went into the half-time break with a 1-1 scoreline.
The home side took the lead in the 55th minute thanks to Lucas Paqueta’s penalty before Declan Rice made it 3-1 to the Hammers close to the hour mark. Antonio scored again in the 63rd minute as West Ham cruised to a dominant 4-1 win at home (5-2 on aggregate).
Let’s take a look at how each West Ham United player fared during the match against Gent.
GK: Alphonse Areola – 6/10
Areola didn’t have a save to make in the game but will be disappointed after conceding in the first half.
RB: Vladimir Coufal – 7/10
He was mostly solid at the back and managed to put in some inviting crosses into the Gent penalty box.
CB: Kurt Zouma – 7/10
The French talent did his best to keep things tidy on the defensive third of the field.
CB: Nayef Aguerd – 7/10
He didn’t do much wrong when defending inside his half and was a good presence on the ball as well.
LB: Emerson Palmieri – 7/10
Emerson came back to defend when required and was a threat down the left flank.
CM: Tomas Soucek – 7/10
He anchored the midfield with conviction and controlled the flow of the game well.
CM: Declan Rice – 9/10
The England international ran the show at the centre of the park and managed to get his name on the scoresheet in the 58th minute. He deserves to be named the man of the match.
RW: Jarrod Bowen – 7.5/10
He was a constant menace on the right flank and did everything but score tonight.
CAM: Lucas Paqueta – 8/10
The talented playmaker showed some flashes of what he is capable of in the Gent half and has got a goal and an assist to show for his efforts.
LW: Said Benrahma – 6.5/10
He had a few lively moments but failed to threaten the opponent’s goal.
ST: Michail Antonio – 8.5/10
Antonio managed to score in both halves which helped West Ham earn a dominant win at home.
Substitutes:
CM: Flynn Downes – 6/10
He offered very little after coming off the bench.
RB: Thilo Kehrer – 6/10
Kehrer didn’t do much wrong at the back.
ST: Danny Ings – 6/10
Ings failed to register a goal.
RW: Maxwel Cornet – 6/10
He had one bright moment in the game.
CAM: Pablo Fornals – 6.5/10
Fornals made one key chance in the final third.
