---
title: "West Ham duo face contrasting reactions following EPL defeat"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/12/16/west-ham-duo-face-contrasting-reactions-following-epl-defeat/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-12-16T06:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-12-16T06:35:38Z"
---

# West Ham duo face contrasting reactions following EPL defeat

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/12/15/mark-lawrenson-predicts-epl-defeat-for-leggy-west-ham/) were on the wrong end of a London derby on Wednesday night (December 15) as Arsenal came away victorious from the Emirates Stadium.

It took until the second half for Gabriel Martinelli to [break the deadlock](https://www.bt.com/sport/watch/video/clips/2021/december/highlights-arsenal-2-0-west-ham) in what had been an evenly matched contest up until that point.

Controversy reigned supreme soon after when Vladimir Coufal was [dismissed for a second yellow card](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/december/15-december/it-happened-arsenal-2-0-west-ham-united) before Alexandre Lacazette missed the ensuing penalty.

Emile Smith Rowe made it [2-0 late on](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/605877) and the Hammers were resigned to a damaging defeat.

Despite the loss and subsequently falling out of the [Premier League top four](https://www.premierleague.com/tables) as a result, Irons’ defender Craig Dawson was the recipient of huge praise from fans on social media.

https://twitter.com/stephenlott/status/1471221121685114888?ref\_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1471221121685114888%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1\_&ref\_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hammers.news%2Fmatch-report%2Fwest-ham-fans-flip-out-after-craig-dawson-performance-vs-arsenal%2F

https://twitter.com/ogbonner/status/1471220991909109763

Meanwhile, supporters were less than enamoured with the 7.10 rated display of Arthur Masuaku ([Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/arthur-masuaku/174975)).

> Antonio and masuaku absolutely useless. Dawson different class
>
> — Joey (@joeymehlman3) [December 15, 2021](https://twitter.com/joeymehlman3/status/1471220696592355330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Masuaku at lb lol. It’s a recipe for disaster every time.
>
> — Jakey boy (@JakeRileyHunte) [December 15, 2021](https://twitter.com/JakeRileyHunte/status/1471220929053302792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/Gorms7/status/1471278004181602305

So far this season the 28-year-old DR Congo ace has [scored once in 14 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/arthur-masuaku/leistungsdaten/spieler/181380) for David Moyes’ side.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Albeit far from a mini-crisis, things are certainly not going exactly to plan in recent weeks.

Chelsea result aside, the [Irons’ results](https://www.whufc.com/fixtures/first-team/fixtures-and-results) have been disappointing for a team hoping to earn Champions League qualification for 2022/23.

Injuries and lack of fitness could be taking their toll at the worst possible time and it would seem many West Ham fans are desperate for [Aaron Cresswell to return](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/december/14-december/team-news-david-moyes-offers-aaron-cresswell-update) to the fold.