Every player rated as West Ham end Chelsea’s perfect run in 0-0 draw

West Ham United secured themselves a point against London rivals Chelsea this afternoon, in a 0-0 draw that lacked any significant quality but plenty of resolute defending. 

Chances were slim in the first half as Chelsea dominated possession, while the hosts made it clear their instructions were to sit deep and try and hit the visitors on the counter.

Both Alvaro Morata and Andriy Yarmolenko missed sitters for their respective sides with both Kepa and Lukasz Fabianski making decent saves to keep their sheets clean.

Ultimately, the match was found lacking anything exciting and it won’t live long in the Premier League memory. However, a decent point for the Hammers means Chelsea don’t join Liverpool in winning six out of six Premier League games.

Here is how we ranked the players this afternoon.

West Ham

Lukasz Fabianski – 7 – Heading into this match knowing that he would most likely find his goal under siege from the talented Chelsea attack, he did his best to protect his goal. A good, if not lucky, save from Morata’s close effort with his face must have stung a little.

Pablo Zabaleta – 7 – The experienced full-back was up against the pace of both Hazard and Willian this afternoon and all in all coped well enough with the constant wave of Chelsea attacks.

Issa Diop – 7 – The £22 million man has established himself as a Hammer regular and provided a good foundation at the back this afternoon. Strong, organised, a solid display.

Fabián Balbuena – 7 – Like his centre-back partner, Balbuena was extremely disciplined and made it hard for Hazard and co to break through onto goal.

Arthur Masuaku – 6 – The left-back wasn’t seen in the Chelsea half as much this afternoon but instead concentrated on frustrating the Chelsea front line. Understandably struggled a little at times against Willian.

Declan Rice – 7 – Following on from his impressive display away to Everton last weekend, Rice worked well with his teammates to limit the number of opportunities available for the west Londoners.

Andriy Yarmolenko – 6 – Two goals last week gave Hammers fans a glimpse of the talent Yarmolenko possesses. Created a good chance for himself in the second half, cutting inside onto his left foot but his shot just sailed over the crossbar. However, he missed an absolute sitter in the second half, heading wide from six yards unmarked. Gary Neville said it best; “no excuse”.

Pedro Obiang – 6 – Sturdy, working well with Noble and Rice to narrow the Chelsea attack and fill any available space. Decent enough.

Mark Noble – 6 – The Hammers captain added his usual bite to the midfield and although rarely ventured over the halfway line, made his presence known throughout the match. Subbed.

Felipe Anderson – 5 – Didn’t provide too much of an attacking threat in a game that was all about defensive stability for the Hammers. Booked. Subbed.

Michail Antonio – 5 – In for the injured Marko Arnautovic, Antonio had big shoes to fill in one of West Ham’s most anticipated games of the season. He had the first real chance of the match, escaping the Chelsea defence but blasted high and wide. His second chance was well saved by Kepa. Subbed.

Substitutes

Lucas Perez (65 mins) – 5 – Didn’t do anything rememberable.

Robert Snodgrass (74 mins) – 5 – Nothing worthy.

Carlos Sanchez (85 mins) – 5 – Little time to affect the match.

Chelsea

Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6 – Could the most expensive goalkeeper in the world keep a clean sheet against Chelsea’s London rivals? Yes, as the Hammers rarely tested the gloves of Kepa. Made a good save from Antonio in the first half.

Cesar Azpilicueta – 7 – Regularly a solid 7/8 out of ten performer, Azpilicueta once again was intelligent and comfortable in possession and wasn’t pressured by any Hammers strikers.

Antonio Rüdiger – 6 – The German defender looked reasonably assured but in truth, the Hammers rarely threatened the Blues back four. Subbed.

David Luiz – 7 – Given a new lease of life under Maurizio Sarri this season, the curly-haired Brazilian continuously looked to start attacks from the back with his accurate passing finding the feet of his advanced teammates.

Marcos Alonso – 6 – Still adapting to his new role under the new Chelsea boss, Alonso seems to be far less effective when not deployed as an attacking wing-back.

N’Golo Kanté – 6 – No longer considered a defensive anchorman in the Chelsea side, Kante’s attacking threat wasn’t as effective today as in previous matches. Missed a good chance in the second half.

Jorginho – 6 – His passing is always to be admired but he struggled to find space in a cramped midfield this afternoon.

Mateo Kovačić – 6 – An assured if uninspiring performance but in truth, the match lacked any real quality, or at least, the space to produce any. Subbed.

Willian – 6 – Got round Masuaku continuously but failed to provide the key opening to put Chelsea in the driving seat. Missed a good chance in the last few minutes.

Olivier Giroud – 6 – Preferred over the struggling Alvaro Morata, Giroud failed to provide any sort of threat against a resolute Hammers defence. Subbed.

Eden Hazard – 7 – Having already started fantastically for Chelsea this campaign with five goals and two assists in five games, all eyes were on Hazard to unlock the Chelsea defence. Persistent, a nuisance, however, he couldn’t find a way through.

Substitutes

Alvaro Morata (65 mins) – 5 – Missed a sitter within two minutes, hitting his shot from six yards straight into the face of Fabianski.

Gary Cahill (69 mins) – 5 – Rarely on the ball due to possession taking place in West Ham’s half.

Ross Barkley (79 mins) – 5 – Had a decent shot with minutes to spare that was well-saved by Fabianski.

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