- West Ham defeated 1-0 by Arsenal at the London Stadium
- The Hammers remain in the relegation zone
- Callum Wilson’s equaliser ruled out in the final minutes
In their battle for Premier League survival, West Ham United’s valiant performance was not enough as Arsenal edged out a 1-0 win at the London Stadium. The Hammers kept the title-chasers at bay for over 80 minutes, but Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock seven minutes from time.
Callum Wilson came off the bench to notch what looked like a deserved equaliser, but after a lengthy VAR review, the striker’s half-volley effort was ruled off. Officials decided Pablo fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya in the build-up to the goal.
The result keeps West Ham in the relegation zone, one point behind Tottenham Hotspur, who play tomorrow night.
Here are your player ratings.
Player ratings
Mads Hermansen – 6.5
The Dane was at no fault for the deciding goal. In the first half, he produced a reactive save on Leandro Trossard’s header to deny Arsenal the opener on their first corner.
Malick Diouf – 6.5
The Senegalese full-back stifled Bukayo Saka for the first hour and a bit, while also offering verticality down the left wing with a few testing deliveries. That said, he showed his rawness in his moments of discomposure.
Axel Disasi – 7.0
The Frenchman was active in defending the wide areas and helped his left-back minimise the wide threat before being subbed.
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 8.0
As reunions with former employees go, it was some showing. You wouldn’t know that he wasn’t the centre-back being earmarked for PFA awards. An incredible intervention to stop Riccardo Calafiori’s flicked header in the game’s opening stages. No player registered more defensive contributions than the Greek colossus.
Jean-Clair Todibo – 6.0
The sparingly used centre-back evidently struggled with the game’s early pace, as Calafiori’s galloping run caused problems down the right channel. He would enjoy an easier second half with the opposition’s substitution.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6.5
Like his wing-back partner, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was a source of vertactile threat on the right – he created West Ham’s first credible chance with a driving run in transition and cross that set up Castellanos. Yet, he was unable to display the required composure.
Mateus Fernandes – 7.5
Poise on the ball, persistent without it. His one-two play with substitute Pablo was delightful, but he was unable to convert. The Portuguese international once again displayed why he has become so coveted despite his team’s campaign and will be playing against the likes of Arsenal next season, with or without West Ham.
Tomas Soucek – 6.5
The midfielder’s game was very hinged on the opposition’s mid-game tactical shake-up. Struggled against the athletic presence of Declan Rice, but in the period that the former Hammers’ captain went right back, Tomas Soucek was commendable.
Crysencio Summerville – 6.5
Enjoyed a decent second half against Cristhian Mosquera, but as the Dutch winger has shown all season, too many of his moves end up promising rather than productive.
Jarrod Bowen – 6.0
The skipper was much more threatening in the second half after being restricted by Calafiori’s offensive endeavours in the first. Still, his contributions fell disappointingly short of his expected standard.
Valentin Castellanos – 6.5
Valentin Castellanos worked hard in his 65 minutes of play. The striker, limited in his service, forced Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya into making an exceptional save to deny his close-range header.
Additionally, the Argentine had some nice touches and flicks to relieve visitors’ pressure and keep his teammates close in play.
Substitutes
Pablo – 6.5
Usually operating behind the striker, Pablo’s shift as the frontline’s main point of reference was promising. The Brazilian combined well with Mateus Fernandes for one of the few clear-cut chances West Ham had. However, it was his involvement in the late-game melee that gave the officials a reason to rule out the equaliser.
Callum Wilson – 6.5
Called upon with five minutes to go, West Ham’s super sub delivered again in extra time but saw his equaliser controversially ruled out for the penalty box melee that ensued before his volley goal.
