PLAYER RATINGS
KASPER SCHMEICHEL: It’s a sign of an improved defensive performance that he had very little to do. He was quick off his goal-line when he needed to be. 6
RICARDO PEREIRA: Brilliant. Attacked with ingenuity, dribbling into dangerous areas even when his teammates were floundering, and then linked up really well with Tielemans in the second half to keep making surges at the West Ham defence. Scored a brilliant header as reward for his work. Defensively, he battled hard and blocked a few crosses. 8 DANIEL AMARTEY: Played Bowen onside for the goal, but was pretty solid thereafter. Grew in confidence with his passing too. 6 CAGLAR SOYUNCU: He misread the flight of a few balls and didn’t inspire much confidence early on, but he helped the defensive effort in the second half, penning West Ham in by collecting their long clearances. 6 JAMES JUSTIN: He was ineffective in the half-hour he played, and did not support Barnes like Thomas did, with the full-back and winger not on the same wavelength. He was defensively sound, though. 5
WILFRED NDIDI: His passing in the first half was really poor at times. He improved in the second period and got himself in good positions to mop up loose balls. 5
JAMES MADDISON: Pushed out to the right wing, he was wasted there, unable to provide the creativity and influence he has been able to in recent months. 6
YOURI TIELEMANS: After the first 20 minutes, he was pretty good, and in the second half, after he had drilled in his penalty, he was extremely good. He dictated the tempo, getting up and down the pitch well, and produced some fine moments of defending in his own box. His long switches of play were fantastic, and he combined really well with Ricardo. 8 KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL: An energetic performance where he did all of the basics right. Showed great stamina to keep getting up and down the pitch. and used the outlet of Barnes effectively. 7
HARVEY BARNES: While he was sometimes wasteful with his shooting, this was vintage Barnes. In the second half, City were finding him at every opportunity as he was gliding past Coufal. He delivered a great cross for Ricardo’s goal. 8
PATSON DAKA: A difficult game. He was outmuscled by the two West Ham centre-backs, and he didn’t seem to make any timely runs into the channels. He showed a few nice touches at times, but never threatened the goal. 5