West Ham United v Arsenal - Player Ratings

Last updated : 06 November 2006 By Clive Dickman

Not taking anything away from a gutsy West Ham performance & yet another 90 minutes of powder puff in front of goal by Thierry & co but yet again we have been robbed by the inadequacies of a poor referee, last week "old mother Riley" this week "Knob" Styles!

Apart from not awarding the most blatant penalty you will see this season when Hleb was taken down in the box, ironically committed by a player that was allowed to stay on the pitch after going in studs up into Robin Van Persies knee in the first half, but he also mysteriously booked Clichy failed to book a dive by the dirty foreigner Bowyer & just about got every crucial decision wrong.

Although I am sure the boss will put this result down to a combination of poor refereeing and the exertions of mid week the truth is we are not being anywhere near ruthless enough in front of goal.

Most of the points we have dropped this season have been against teams currently struggling at the foot of the table, therefore you do not need to be a genius to conclude that our aspirations for the premier league title are realistically already over.

Jens Lehmann - 6 - Not his usual self, didn't command his area that well and if it wasn't for Henry could well have ended up seeing red.

Gael Clichy - 6 - Now we are having a real chance to see him I am now in the "not convinced" camp. Great at getting forward but lost the ball in dangerous areas, did manage to win the ball back each time however.

Kolo Toure - 9 - Without doubt our man of the match. Awesome performance saw him making numerous last ditch tackles, fantastic interceptions & so unlucky with a net breaking drive that somehow curled outwards at the final second to deny him one of the goals of the season.

Gallas - 5 - Lost Harewood for their goal, needs to understand we are the Arsenal not some false circus!

Justin Hoyte - 6 - Full of enthusiasm & English which seems to mean so much for some reason! Did alright today.

Mathieu Flamini (76) - 5 - Dogged as ever possibly fouled in the build up to West Ham's late winner but Knob wasn't having any of it!

Francesc Fabregas - 6 - Worked hard as always but lost possession in dangerous areas far too often today.

Gilberto - 7 - Worked tirelessly and so often the unsung hero, always mopping up his colleagues errors today.

Alexander Hleb - 6 - Still has the habit of delivering the most difficult of balls to his team mates. Nailed on for the award of most obvious penalty award not to be given presented by G Poll nominated by M Riley and commentary by R .Styles!

Emmanuel Eboue (71) - 5 - Great to have the guy back. A real powerhouse and these 19 minutes will have done him good.

Tomas Rosicky - 6 - Not his best game of late but he has been so consistent we can allow him the odd off day.

Thierry Henry - 6 - Not been anywhere near the Thierry we have come to expect, he seems more interested in playing the diplomat just of late.

Robin Van Persie - 6 - A disgraceful foul was followed by the predictable cat calls and a coin to the head by our delightful guests. Robin however reacted in a retaliatory manner more akin to Hackney Marshes, so guess who the winners were on this occasion?

Emmanuel Adebayor (61) - 5 - Did alright added a different dimension but caught offside to often when we were in promising positions.

Subs not used

Manuel Almunia
hilippe Senderos