GK Guglielmo Vicario
Surprisingly, did not have much to do. When he was called upon, Vicario dealt with situations and did what was needed. He looks in much better form this season than last, no doubt helped by a greater defensive solidity in front of him, and tactics that are leaving him less exposed. Another good performance. Rating: 7
RB Pedro Porro
There was a lot of talk before the game about Crysencio Summerville being a danger man in this game following his impressive substitute appearance against Nottingham Forest. Porro kept him very quiet and defended very well in general. Did not get forward as much as usual, but this was a return to the consistency we’ve started to expect from Porro, following his struggles last time out. Rating: 7
LB Djed Spence
Continues to impress at left back, so much that it is easy to forget he was signed as a right back. Started ahead of Destiny Udogie, which is deserved at the moment. This is not a criticism of Udogie who has also been good since returning from injury. Instead, it shows how far Spence has come. Finished off a good week where he won his first England cap, Spence was consistent throughout. Rating: 8
CB Cristian Romero
Looked composed on the ball and defended well, even if it did turn out to be one of his easier games. Romero was also a threat in attack, both on corners, where he had a goal that should have stood somehow ruled out for a foul, and in possession, where he played a perfect long ball to Bergvall for our second goal. Rating: 8
CB Micky van de Ven
Along with Romero, van de Ven dealt comfortably with most of West Ham’s breaks. At times we saw again his pace which is such an asset in stopping counter attacks. It is starting to seem like opposition players are choosing to not even enter races with him. Scored our third goal with a composed right foot finish. Looked dangerous on corners as well, which is something we should see more of from Micky given his height, strength, and ability. Rating: 8
CM João Palhinha
Back to his best after our Bournemouth performance. Palhinha was everywhere in midfield, breaking up play. There is far more to Palhinha’s game than tackling of course, but he excels at reading the game to win back possession. He is already looking like the destroyer we have been missing for many years now, probably since Victor Wanyama was dominating our midfield. Rating: 8
CM Pape Matar Sarr
Like everyone else, Sarr was back to form after being totally outplayed last time out. His strong running compliments Palhinha very well. Sarr did not get forward too much but made it count when he did. Took advantage of poor marking to head in our opening goal. Rating: 7
CM Lucas Bergvall
Bergvall has already had some great performances for the club, and this was another. Running the game in midfield, Bergvall combined a great touch with vision, composure on the ball, and constant ability to move the ball forward. I think he will prove to be at his best when picking the ball up deep from our defenders and dictating play from there, so it was good to see this happen at times during the game, too. We haven’t really had a player who could do this since the great Luka Modric, and while that is an ambitious comparison to make, the similarities are there with Bergvall. He also is not shy to put in a tackle, which further added to our midfield dominance. Bergvall then casually scored our second goal with a sublime header from Romero’s long ball. A difficult skill that the 19-year-old executed perfectly. Also showed a decent long throw, which makes you wonder if can also play in goal just to complete the skill set. Rating: 9
RW Mohammed Kudus
Predictably, Kudus returning to West Ham took up a lot of the pre-game talk. While there were the chorus of boos early on, he seemed unmoved and put in a very solid performance. Has settled very quickly into the team and is one of those of players that makes you think something could happen every time he gets the ball. Put in some very dangerous corners with remarkable consistency. Kudus was also close to scoring a couple of times near the end, which would have been the perfect return. Rating: 7
LW Xavi Simons
In general, it was a fairly quiet debut from Simons, but he showed enough quality to make his ability clear. Has an assist already with a great corner delivery for Sarr’s goal. Simons was always looking to carry the ball forward and looks very calm in possession. Along with Kudus and Bergvall, situations felt positive and inventive when they were attacking. Rating: 7
CF Mathys Tel
Struggled to hold the ball up for most of the game and, as a result, we looked more effective attacking on the wings than through the middle. Tel could not lose his defenders and did not seem the goal threat we needed from this position. I would prefer to see him wide than up front unless this changes. Young player with plenty of ability and effort, but today he was marked out of the game too easily. Rating: 5
Substitutes: Kevin Danso, Richarlison, Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert
The game had moved into a lull by the time the substitutes came on, and it was more a case of seeing it out. Only Udogie was able to get involved to the extent he would have wanted with some good forward runs. Danso made sure our solid defence remained unchanged and looks a good signing. Ratings: Danso (6), Richarlison (5), Udogie (6), Johnson (5), Odobert (5)