Player Ratings: West Ham United 2 Watford 4 – Hammers let two-goal...

Player Ratings: West Ham United 2 Watford 4 – Hammers let two-goal lead slip

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A spectrum of sorts was on display in this match; West Ham, still shakily treading towards full fitness, in an unfamiliar new stadium, have the ability in their squad to scorch through the Premier League. In the opening half an hour of this match, this was on display, with Dimitri Payet back to his sumptuous best, and Michail Antonio continuing his breathless goal-scoring run. Watford were 2-0 down after half an hour, and it looked very much like this was the West Ham we’d all be promised; attacking with venom, propped up on some tent-pole marquee players, seemingly approaching the upper tier of English football, the realm they thirst to be in.

But then the shakiness that comes with a wobbly start to the season, that drifts in and out of these new surrounds, that afflicts so many second-season managers, came flooding back. An unlucky deflection gave Watford a way back into the contest, as Odion Ighalo scored with five minutes remaining in the first half. Then, a horrid mix-up between James Collins and Adrian led to Troy Deeney turning with the ball at his feet on the corner of the penalty area, with the West Ham goalkeeper and centre backs retreating desperately to the goal line. It took a sublime, swooping chip to avoid them all, and as the ball nestled into the top corner, West Ham’s promising start had been wiped out.

The second half began as the first had ended, with Watford shooting out of the blocks, and themselves into the lead. With half an hour remaining, it was now West Ham who were two-goals down, and feeling winded and sorry for themselves. A half-fit Payet and the flighty Antonio can’t haul a team back from a deficit as galling as that, having put them into the lead an hour earlier, and so, as the fans brawled in the stands, and Slaven Bilic watched on mortified, the West Ham of the future will have to wait.

West Ham United

Adrian – 3: The West Ham keeper was at fault for at least two of the goals.

Arthur Masauku – 7: None of the goals came from his side of the pitch.

James Collins – 4: Was the cause of the equaliser, and seemed uncharacteristically flimsy.

Winston Reid – 5: Did little to stem the flow of goals-in-reply.

Sam Byram – 3: It was from his tremulous flank that Ighalo and Capoue scored.

Mark Noble – 6: Was willing and able, as usual, but had little effect at either end.

Cheikhou Kouyate – 7: Athletic and imposing, as usual.

Manuel Lanzini – 5: Barring one audacious shot, was terribly ineffective.

Dimitri Payet – 9: Set up both goals, one with a incredible rabona’d cross. Couldn’t have done more.

Michail Antonio – 9: Scored twice, both with his head. His productivity is superb.

Simone Zaza – 4: Was very poor on debut, appeared out-muscled and indecisive.

Substitutes

Jonathon Calleri – 6: Came on at 4-2, and could do little to haul the team back.

Ashley Fletcher – 6: Replaced Zaza, and looked an improvement.

Gokhan Tore – N/A: Arrived with only a few minutes remaining.

Watford

Heurelho Gomes – 5: Was relieved to see his striker save the day, had been bamboozled by Payet’s close rabona cross.

Jose Holebas – 8: Had been having a mediocre game, until he scored from distance in the 63th minute.

Younes Kaboul – 6: Only a semi-formed rock in the centre of defence.

Miguel Britos – 5: Was made to look foolish by Payet multiple times, and lost Antonio for the opening goal.

Craig Cathcart – 5: Had little to do with the eventual victory.

Daryl Janmaat – 5: Was also terrorised by Payet, and provided little going forward.

Valon Behrami – 5: Not an influential figure in midfield, out-classed mostly by Kouyate.

Etinne Capoue – 8: Scored his third goal of the season, and strode around the pitch classily.

Roberto Pereyra – 8: Was a constant threat in the second half.

Troy Deeney – 8: Chipped sublimely for his goal.

Odion Ighalo – 9: Confident, brutish, direct; everything Watford needed.

Substitutes

Isaac Success – 7: Replaced Ighalo, had some success.

Stefano Okaka – 6: Had little time make a clear impact.

Sebastian Prodl – 7: Saw out the victory from the centre of defence.

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