• WEST HAM RATINGS: Lukasz Fabianski - 7: Dropped a horrendous clanger against Newcastle last week but was hardly troubled in first half and had no chance by Werner’s finish. Busy second half saving twice from Mount and once from Werner. AFP
    WEST HAM RATINGS: Lukasz Fabianski - 7: Dropped a horrendous clanger against Newcastle last week but was hardly troubled in first half and had no chance by Werner’s finish. Busy second half saving twice from Mount and once from Werner. AFP
  • Issa Diop - 6: Scored at both ends against Newcastle last week and was up against some nimble footwork in the likes of Mount and Werner. Solid day’s work here from French defender. EPA
    Issa Diop - 6: Scored at both ends against Newcastle last week and was up against some nimble footwork in the likes of Mount and Werner. Solid day’s work here from French defender. EPA
  • Fabian Balbuena - 6: Paraguayan defender was making his first start of 2021 with Craig Dawson suspended and started well although maybe could have done more to stop Chilwell’s cross finding Werner for German’s goal. Ugly follow through after challenge on Chilwell that was deemed a straight red by referee Chris Kavanagh after VAR referral. Harsh but looked worse in slow motion. Reuters
    Fabian Balbuena - 6: Paraguayan defender was making his first start of 2021 with Craig Dawson suspended and started well although maybe could have done more to stop Chilwell’s cross finding Werner for German’s goal. Ugly follow through after challenge on Chilwell that was deemed a straight red by referee Chris Kavanagh after VAR referral. Harsh but looked worse in slow motion. Reuters
  • Angelo Ogbonna - 7: Some timely interceptions and good reading of game in first half but was easily rolled by Werner in the run-up to German’s opening goal. Brilliant sliding tackle to take ball off Mount just after half-time. AP
    Angelo Ogbonna - 7: Some timely interceptions and good reading of game in first half but was easily rolled by Werner in the run-up to German’s opening goal. Brilliant sliding tackle to take ball off Mount just after half-time. AP
  • Vladmir Coufal - 6: Quiet first half from Czech and failed to give West Ham much threat down the right but was in right place to clear Mount cross at start of second half. Crossed when he should have shot with his weaker left foot just before the hour. PA
    Vladmir Coufal - 6: Quiet first half from Czech and failed to give West Ham much threat down the right but was in right place to clear Mount cross at start of second half. Crossed when he should have shot with his weaker left foot just before the hour. PA
  • Mark Noble - 7: One excellent run through middle in opening half from captain when he should have received a return pass behind the Chelsea defence but the ball never came. Sprayed ball around well and picked out Fredericks with one excellent cut-back. West Ham's best midfielder on the day who didn’t deserve to be substituted with 20 minutes to go. PA
    Mark Noble - 7: One excellent run through middle in opening half from captain when he should have received a return pass behind the Chelsea defence but the ball never came. Sprayed ball around well and picked out Fredericks with one excellent cut-back. West Ham's best midfielder on the day who didn’t deserve to be substituted with 20 minutes to go. PA
  • Tomas Soucek - 6: Great interception in centre of midfield that set West Ham off on early counter-attack. Had West Ham’s first real attempt on goal when his shot was deflected wide by Azpilicueta. But still not his usual influence on game and second game running that Czech has filed to find anything like his top gear. EPA
    Tomas Soucek - 6: Great interception in centre of midfield that set West Ham off on early counter-attack. Had West Ham’s first real attempt on goal when his shot was deflected wide by Azpilicueta. But still not his usual influence on game and second game running that Czech has filed to find anything like his top gear. EPA
  • Ryan Fredericks - 6: Playing at left wingback with Aaron Cresswell still absent, Fredericks went on one encouraging charge down the flank after 15 minutes but woeful final ball sailed out for goal kick. Plenty of effort but little quality in final ball. Reuters
    Ryan Fredericks - 6: Playing at left wingback with Aaron Cresswell still absent, Fredericks went on one encouraging charge down the flank after 15 minutes but woeful final ball sailed out for goal kick. Plenty of effort but little quality in final ball. Reuters
  • Pablo Fornals - 4: Certainly vocal with his complaints to the referee but Spaniard needs to let feet do more of the talking. Did nothing all game and should have been hooked earlier than the 68th minute. EPA
    Pablo Fornals - 4: Certainly vocal with his complaints to the referee but Spaniard needs to let feet do more of the talking. Did nothing all game and should have been hooked earlier than the 68th minute. EPA
  • Jesse Lingard - 6: In-form attacker picked up a few knocks in the first half and struggled to make an impact. Tried to catch out Mendy with long-range free-kick in second half but succeeded in only passing the ball straight to the French keeper. Much better effort minutes later with dipping strike just wide. Getty
    Jesse Lingard - 6: In-form attacker picked up a few knocks in the first half and struggled to make an impact. Tried to catch out Mendy with long-range free-kick in second half but succeeded in only passing the ball straight to the French keeper. Much better effort minutes later with dipping strike just wide. Getty
  • Jarrod Bowen - 4: Like rest of Hammers attack, had a poor opening 45 minutes and didn’t really improve much in second. Disappointing afternoon. Reuters
    Jarrod Bowen - 4: Like rest of Hammers attack, had a poor opening 45 minutes and didn’t really improve much in second. Disappointing afternoon. Reuters
  • SUBS: Manuel Lanzini – (On for Noble 68’) 5: Made no impact. EPA
    SUBS: Manuel Lanzini – (On for Noble 68’) 5: Made no impact. EPA
  • Said Benrahma - (on for Fornals 68’) 6: Offered a bit of attacking urgency. One good drop of the shoulder and run down left after coming on. Went for glory with late strike that he sliced well wide. Getty
    Said Benrahma - (on for Fornals 68’) 6: Offered a bit of attacking urgency. One good drop of the shoulder and run down left after coming on. Went for glory with late strike that he sliced well wide. Getty
  • Ben Johnson – (On for Fredericks 83’) NA. PA
    Ben Johnson – (On for Fredericks 83’) NA. PA
  • CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 7: Swept up really well on edge of area to head ball to Rudiger on edge of box with Bowen lurking just before half-hour mark. But French keeper was lucky not to be punished for slack pass out from back 10 minutes later. Didn’t have serious save to make during the 90 minutes. Booked for time-wasting. Reuters
    CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 7: Swept up really well on edge of area to head ball to Rudiger on edge of box with Bowen lurking just before half-hour mark. But French keeper was lucky not to be punished for slack pass out from back 10 minutes later. Didn’t have serious save to make during the 90 minutes. Booked for time-wasting. Reuters
  • Andreas Christensen - 7: Earned cheap yellow card for pulling back Lingard just before break. One swing and miss in second half but recovered to block Bowen effort. Important part of another excellent Chelsea defensive effort. AFP
    Andreas Christensen - 7: Earned cheap yellow card for pulling back Lingard just before break. One swing and miss in second half but recovered to block Bowen effort. Important part of another excellent Chelsea defensive effort. AFP
  • Thiago Silva - 8: Barely had to break sweat with likes of Bowen and Fornals offering very little threat going forward - but the Brazilian helped keep it that way with assured performance. AFP
    Thiago Silva - 8: Barely had to break sweat with likes of Bowen and Fornals offering very little threat going forward - but the Brazilian helped keep it that way with assured performance. AFP
  • Antonio Rudiger - 7: Dealt very easily with West Ham's limited attacking efforts and was an imposing figure at the back. Reuters
    Antonio Rudiger - 7: Dealt very easily with West Ham's limited attacking efforts and was an imposing figure at the back. Reuters
  • Cesar Azpilicueta - 7: Blocked Soucek chance in first half that West Ham claimed came off his arm – the referee and VAR didn’t feel deserved penalty. Played captain’s role in good Chelsea defensive show. Involved in touchline spat with David Moyes after being substituted. Reuters
    Cesar Azpilicueta - 7: Blocked Soucek chance in first half that West Ham claimed came off his arm – the referee and VAR didn’t feel deserved penalty. Played captain’s role in good Chelsea defensive show. Involved in touchline spat with David Moyes after being substituted. Reuters
  • N’Golo Kante - 7: His usual hoovering up in front of the Chelsea defence but also flashes of good link-up play with attack. Booked late on and also produced one galloping run forward near the end but failed to find teammate with ball into box. PA
    N’Golo Kante - 7: His usual hoovering up in front of the Chelsea defence but also flashes of good link-up play with attack. Booked late on and also produced one galloping run forward near the end but failed to find teammate with ball into box. PA
  • Jorginho - 7: Neat and tidy in middle of park from Italian midfieldern that helped Chelsea control tempo of game. AFP
    Jorginho - 7: Neat and tidy in middle of park from Italian midfieldern that helped Chelsea control tempo of game. AFP
  • Ben Chilwell - 7: Caught in possession in first 10 minutes that allowed West Ham to launch dangerous attack. Picked out Werner with perfect low ball for German’s opener. Left in agony by Balbuena's follow through that saw defender sent-off. PA
    Ben Chilwell - 7: Caught in possession in first 10 minutes that allowed West Ham to launch dangerous attack. Picked out Werner with perfect low ball for German’s opener. Left in agony by Balbuena's follow through that saw defender sent-off. PA
  • Mason Mount - 8: Found space down right after four minutes and picked out Werner in box only for German to waste chance. Minutes late, pulled-off lovely Cruyff-turn to leave Soucek for dead but low shot was straight at Fabianksi. Lovely strike saved well by Polish keeper 10 minutes into second half. A danger throughout and comfortably the best attacking player on pitch. AFP
    Mason Mount - 8: Found space down right after four minutes and picked out Werner in box only for German to waste chance. Minutes late, pulled-off lovely Cruyff-turn to leave Soucek for dead but low shot was straight at Fabianksi. Lovely strike saved well by Polish keeper 10 minutes into second half. A danger throughout and comfortably the best attacking player on pitch. AFP
  • Timo Werner - 6: Very hit and miss from German. Great chance in first few minutes, teed-up by Mount, but failed to keep shot down. Booked for poor tackle on Lingard. Clinical side-footed finish to open the scoring just before half-time for his first goal since February 15. Should have made it 2-0 in second half when Fabianksi parried out Mount shot but somehow failed to hit the target. EPA
    Timo Werner - 6: Very hit and miss from German. Great chance in first few minutes, teed-up by Mount, but failed to keep shot down. Booked for poor tackle on Lingard. Clinical side-footed finish to open the scoring just before half-time for his first goal since February 15. Should have made it 2-0 in second half when Fabianksi parried out Mount shot but somehow failed to hit the target. EPA
  • Christian Pulisic - 6: Should have opened scoring 15 minutes in from Werner ball into box but side-footed shot straight at Fabianski and showed flashes of good footwork but never looked like finding back of net after that early opportunity. AFP
    Christian Pulisic - 6: Should have opened scoring 15 minutes in from Werner ball into box but side-footed shot straight at Fabianski and showed flashes of good footwork but never looked like finding back of net after that early opportunity. AFP
  • SUBS: Hakim Ziyech – (On for Pulisic 74’) 7: Scored winner at Wembley against Manchester City last week and straight into action here with some probing passes and nice touches. Reuters
    SUBS: Hakim Ziyech – (On for Pulisic 74’) 7: Scored winner at Wembley against Manchester City last week and straight into action here with some probing passes and nice touches. Reuters
  • Reece James – (On for Azpilicueta 87’) N/A. Reuters
    Reece James – (On for Azpilicueta 87’) N/A. Reuters
  • Tammy Abraham - (On for Werner 88’) N/A. Headed over from a couple of metres out in injury-time, although was difficult chance. Getty
    Tammy Abraham - (On for Werner 88’) N/A. Headed over from a couple of metres out in injury-time, although was difficult chance. Getty

Football

West Ham United v Chelsea player ratings: Pablo Fornals 4, Jesse Lingard 6; Mason Mount 8, Timo Werner 6

Blues win London derby 1-0 and give Champions League hopes a boost

Gareth Cox

April 25, 2021

  • English
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Chelsea took control of the battle to secure Champions League football next season as Timo Werner's goal earned a 1-0 win over West Ham on Saturday.

The Blues are now in pole position as just a second Premier League goal in 22 games for Werner opened up a three-point advantage over the Hammers in fifth.

Thomas Tuchel blamed the distraction of huge protests outside Stamford Bridge on the night the European Super League proposals crumbled for a 0-0 draw against Brighton on Tuesday.

Chelsea's superior strength in depth showed against an injury-hit West Ham without Michail Antonio, Declan Rice and Aaron Cresswell.

Werner has failed to live up to his £50 million ($69 million) price tag since joining from RB Leipzig last summer.

But the German ended his two-month goal drought with a composed finish from Ben Chilwell's cross two minutes before half-time.

After the break, though, Werner showed the profligacy in front of goal that has characterised his season as he somehow turned the rebound wide after Lukasz Fabianski parried Mason Mount's long-range effort.

The in-form Jesse Lingard came closest to an equaliser for the hosts as his looping effort drifted just wide.

Hammers' defender Fabian Balbuena was harshly sent-off after a VAR review for his follow-through on Chilwell after clearing the ball with eight minutes to go.

West Ham manager David Moyes said: “We were in the game. I didn’t think we played particularly well, especially in the first half but I thought we played much better in the second half."

On Balbuena's red card, he added: “I think it’s a decision made by somebody who has never played the game. I don’t know where Fabio Balbuena is supposed to plant his foot."

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said: "It was a six pointer. The win was well deserved. We played amazing in the first half. We did not come out of the dressing room with the same intensity as in the first half.

"We suffered a bit with their intensity, but I think we deserved to win. It’s a very important win."

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.

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