West Ham player ratings vs Burnley: Declan Rice dominates but Michail Antonio misfires once more

AFP via Getty Images
Jack Rosser @JackRosser_12 December 2021

West Ham failed to open up a gap over Manchester United in the race for the top four as they were held to a goalless draw at Burnley.

The Hammers had the better chances in the first half with Arthur Masuaku volleying narrowly wide and Nick Pope saving well from an Issa Diop header. Diop’s defensive partner, Craig Dawson, also had a good shout for a penalty waved away by referee Graham Scott after a kick from Dwight McNeil with VAR, Jonathan Moss deciding not to send the official to review his decision.

West Ham turned up the heat after the break with Declan Rice embarking on a number of driving runs into the box and causing all manner of problems for the Burnley defence. It was a deflected cross from the England midfielder which teed up Said Benrahma’s header, from which Pope produced another good save.

David Moyes sent Nikola Vlasic and Pablo Fornals on to try and take advantage of their second half dominance but they could not find a way through.

Here is how Jack Rosser rated the Hammers at Turf Moor…

Lukasz Fabianski 6

Commanding at set pieces but hardly tested from open play.

Vladimir Coufal 6

Untroubled defensively and showed plenty of eagerness to get forward, should have got his crosses in earlier on a few occasions.

Craig Dawson 7

Dealt with anything Burnley lumped his way and should probably have had a first half penalty when brought down by McNeil.

Issa Diop 7

Stood firm against Burnley’s aerial bombardment and drew a good first half save from Pope from Jarrod Bowen’s free-kick.

Arthur Masuaku 6

Solid at the back and made some dangerous runs in behind but his decision making could have been better going forwards. Hammers need Cresswell back.

Declan Rice 8

Tidy in the first half but came to life after the break, four or five fantastic driving runs that Burnley were unable to handle.

Tomas Soucek 6

Combative in midfield alongside Rice but again struggled to have any impact in the final third when his stature could have made the difference against this Burnley side. The Czech sent a last minute effort over the bar when he should have tested Pope.

Jarrod Bowen 6

Showed energy and willing but hardly got in behind the Burnley defence.

Manuel Lanzini 7

West Ham’s best player in the first half, their driving force and created some good openings. Dipped a bit after the break before being replaced with ten minutes to go.

Said Benrahma 5

Improved after the break with a couple of nice touches and runs but again a difficult day for the winger. Without a goal since September.

Michail Antonio 5

A better second half but showed little confidence on the ball and again failed to register a shot on target.

Substitutes

Nikola Vlasic 6

Got into good positions and put in a good cross but didn’t add the cutting edge Moyes was looking for when he sent him on.

Pablo Fornals n/a

Unused: Areola, Noble, Kral, Yarmolenko, Alese, Ashby, Baptiste

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