Player Ratings as City dish out lesson in clinical football

Ouch! The Hammers were given a bit of a spanking by the visiting Citizens but with plenty of winnable games between now and the New Year we ask what did we learn about our side today.

4-0 was a comprehensive beating but there were some definite positives to digest. Although we only achieved 30% possession, and City made more than twice as many passes (over 800!), we matched them for shots (n=9) and were unlucky not to score at least once against a defence that has conceded only 5 goals all season. 

Here are the player ratings from Rory and James who watched events from the Bobby Moore stand:

Fabianski: kept busy and made some good stops but perhaps could have done more for City's first two goals? 6/10.

Zabaleta: Struggled to contain Leroy Sane and with only modest success. 6/10.

Balbuena: Did well against City's direct style and they created very little through the centre. Could do little to plug our porous flanks. 6.5/10.

Diop: Our best defender on the day. Made a number of important tackles but will be frustrated with the result. 7/10.

Masuaku: Oh dear. Arthur may have to wait for his next starting slot as he was repeatedly caught out of position and had a significant role in City's first and third goals. Is he a defender or winger? Cresswell looked much more assured when he came on. 4/10.

Obiang: Put himself about in what was always going to be a hard day at the office! 6/10.

Rice: Our best player on the day. Great positional sense and he moved the ball quickly. 7.5/10.

Diangana: Offensively offered a persistent threat despite City' possessional dominance. Will be frustrated to have been substituted so early once again. 6/10.

Anderson: Very hot and cold - mostly cold today. 5/10.

Arnautovic: Tried and tried but couldn't get a break. Still our most important player. 6.5/10.

Antonio: Had his best game for a long time. Looking more confident but will be rueing his second half miss that might have offered some hope. 6.5/10.

Substitutes: 

Cresswell: steadied the defence and got forward plenty too. Definitely pushed himself above Masuaku in the pecking order with Today's showing. 6.5/10.

Hernandez: looked lively and seems to be linking better with Arnie up front. 6/10.

Perez: Did little wrong but why wasn't big Andy given 15 minutes game time? 5/10.

It's Newcastle away next weekend then a midweek home match with Cardiff. Time to get some points!