The Arbeloa experiment is working! What were we all worried about?
I jest, of course. We were far from perfect yesterday, letting our lead slip twice, but we were comfortably the better side at the London Stadium, beating the side that’s 21st in the Premier League away from home. Here’s how the boys did in East London.
Benjamin Lecomte
The man described by someone on X last month as looking like a “French ghost” (don’t ask me why, but it just makes sense) signed a new deal at the club to little fanfare this week. He could do little about Morato’s close-range header for West Ham’s first, despite getting a touch on it. Palmed the ball into the path of Pablo for his second - but there were others who must shoulder more blame for that debacle. 6/10
Antonee Robinson
Was involved in a lot as 95% of our attacking output went down the left. Had decent chemistry with Palacios, with a pre-assist for our first and some decent interplay with the Castilla grad that saw Jedi shoot narrowly over the bar. Was far too slow to get to Walker-Peters, setting up WHU for their second and his crossing still leaves a lot to be desired. But if he could do it all he’d be playing for AC Milan, wouldn’t he? 6.5/10
Jorge Cuenca
A solid, if unremarkable night in the increasingly less problematic LCB role. Didn’t notice much from him, despite us conceding twice - unsure what that means to be honest. A decent understudy to Captain Calvin. 6/10
Joachim Andersen
His perfectly-pitched diagonal ball to Palacios was his biggest contribution and showed Joa at his best. No one covered themselves in glory for West Ham’s second just before half-time, but overall, not a bad showing. Half a point off for a clumsy challenge on the edge of the box that really should’ve been a pen from where I was sat. 5.5/10
Timothy Castagne
Timmy continues to adapt well to Arbeloa’s edict to stay tighter to his fellow defenders, even if it throttles our attacking potency on the right. Did ever so well to stop Manor Solomon in the second half after Angel was bashed off the ball - and saved the game with a block from Castellanos late on. The right-back berth is seemingly his whatever the competition. 8.5/10 - man of the match
Hugo Larsson
The Swede was the player everyone wanted to take a look at tonight as he made his first start in White. I’m not entirely sure what I think yet. Some good moments are peppered with some misplaced passes - like a cat with trimmed whiskers he seems to lose his sense of position. Did OK, but not enough to challenge for a starting place in the league yet. More to come, I suspect. 6/10
Harrison Reed
Ah, Harrison. His contribution to the game will be remembered for his misplaced clearance that ultimately led to West Ham’s equaliser in the dying embers of the first half. But for the rest of that half he was typically solid and industrious, showing his importance to this squad that’s getting increasingly younger. I still love ya, Reedy. 6.5/10
Cesar Palacios
Say what you want, but Cesar keeps growing into this Fulham side. Another decent performance from him, capped by a assist and a goal. First, his cut-back for Muniz’s opener was cool as a cucumber, and his finish from Andersen’s pinpoint ball was even cooler. Yes, he’s not the most heavyweight of players, but he’s got a footballing brain and feet to match. I think he’ll be just fine. Have to dock half a point for his late miss; so many extra touches - I thought he was going to run it to the corner flag. Look up, son! 7.5/10
Emile Smith Rowe
I don’t want to pile on, so I’ll keep this one short. I don’t think I even know what an on-form ESR looks like anymore. It’s more than a lack of confidence; it feels like a lack of drive. He had that drive at Arsenal, so why not here? My garden gnome would have done more to try and beat Mavropanos in the air in the build up to West Ham’s first. 5/10
Kevin
Rough night for Kev. Similarly to Bobb at Anfield, our new defensive set-up leaves our right winger a bit isolated. Then Morato did the rest, keeping the Brazilian quiet all evening. The talent is there and time is on his side, so I’m not too worried. 5.5/10
Rodrigo Muniz
How sweet it is to see everyone’s favourite Samba star double last season’s tally in just his second start of the campaign. I said earlier this week that we need both strikers contributing equally this term and now they’ve both got two goals each. I’m not sure I’d start him in the PL just yet, but our boy is warming back up. 7/10
Substitutes and manager
Shea Charles
I’d love a team of Shea Charleses. He’s so silky, so composed, and simply slots in wherever and whenever he’s asked. Look forward to seeing him back in from the start against United. 7/10
Manuel Angel
Mami pequeño! Unbelievably small, but like Palacios, looks like his footballing brain offsets what he lacks in height. Got bodied more than once, including before he’d even touched the ball, leading to Solomon’s chance, but had lots of tidy touches - and you can see the almost telepathic relationship he has with his fellow Madristas, which is exciting. 6.5/10
Josh King
The big winner of the Arbeloa era so far, Josh provided fresh legs at a crucial time, and capped off his cameo by nudging the ball into the path of Bobb, who did the rest. 7/10
Gonzalo Garcia
A couple of half chances he’ll have wished to have done better with, but he looks like a forward who’s ready to bag a few. Perhaps on Sunday. 6/10
Oscar Bobb
Bobb has arrived! It was a joy to see his drive into the box and finish with aplomb - it’s what we’ve been asking for since arrival. It’ll give him much-needed confidence ahead of Sunday’s crucial game. Delighted. 7.5/10
Alvaro Arbeloa
His two wins as Fulham boss have come in the League Cup, but this one will buoy him more than the W over the Dons in the previous round. I keep mentioning Manchester United on Sunday, but honestly the draw at Anfield followed by a confidence-boosting win on Tuesday really puts us in a good spot against a United side that is also struggling in the league.
I’m still not convinced by AA’s in-game management. Some of his substitutions in particular baffle me. Obviously that sounds odd when one of his changes bagged the winner, but I’m not sure changing both central midfielders at the same time just after the hour mark was the best use of a double substitution. Nit-picking probably. Overall, I’m feeling good about our Spanish ruler. 7/10
I think Palacios would have been my MOM. Definitely great competition for Iwobi on the left. Bobb already the winner of goal of the month.