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West Ham player ratings vs Newcastle: Craig Dawson and Lukasz Fabianski at fault in damaging defeat

 (AP)
(AP)

Injury hit West Ham passed up the chance to move third after coming out on the wrong side of a five-goal thriller at Newcaslte.

The Hammers have managed well without key players so far, but felt the absence of Declan Rice, Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio keenly here.

The return of Angelo Ogbonna was supposed to restore calm at the back but the Hammers but in one of the poorest defensive displays of the season in the first half. Craig Dawson was booked early on for a reckless challenge on Joelinton. The former Watford man, who has only just become a permanent West Ham player, was then shown a second yellow after a loose challenge saw the ball fall again to Joelinton and he flew through the Newcastle striker.

Referee Kevin Friend allowed play to continue with Alan Saint-Maximin, who raced through a West Ham defence all at sea before shooting, Issa Diop was on the line to clear but hit his own standing leg with the ball and sent it into his own net.

Down to ten men, West Ham then imploded further as Fabianski made a mess of a simple catch at a corner, dropping the ball at the feet of Joelinton who tapped home.

West Ham rallied after the break, putting pressure on their hosts and finally causing trouble despite being a man down.

Their pressure finally paid off when Jarrod Bowen drifted wide and crossed for Diop who found himself unmarked to head home.

The Hammers kept the heat on following that and, having had little luck from officials or VAR this season, were awarded a penalty after a VAR review for handball against Ciaran Clark.

With Mark Noble having just been taken off, Jesse Lingard stepped up after a long wait and hammered home off the post.

Steve Bruce sent on Arsenal loanee Joe Willock, who almost immediately had Newcastle back in front again, heading home from Matt Ritchie’s cross.

Here is how Jack Rosser rated the Hammers on Tyneside...

Lukasz Fabianski 4

Has enjoyed another decent season for West Ham but dropped an absolute clanger for the second goal here.

Vladimir Coufal 6

Tried to get going down the right but to little avail, should have scored with his header from Johnson’s cross.

Issa Diop 5

Feet all over the place when trying to clear the first goal but a fine header to get West Ham back into the game.

Craig Dawson 3

Two utterly ridiculous and mistimed challenges left his side a man down after just 36 minutes. Not been a good few weeks for Dawson.

Angelo Ogbonna 6

Caught out of position for the opening goal but recovered well enough.

Ben Johnson 6

Struggled going forwards but grew as the game went on and chipped in with a superb block on the line.

Mark Noble 5

Had filled in well for Rice in previous games but was completely exposed by the pace of Miguel Almiron and Saint-Maximin today. Improved a bit second half but not a great day.

Tomas Soucek 6

Struggled in the first half without Declan Rice, far more commanding in the second.

Pablo Fornals 6

Always important for Moyes, never stops running and looking to create. Ended the game as a holding midfielder.

Jesse Lingard 7

Couldn’t get much going in the first half but took control of the second and put away a confident penalty before being forced off.

Jarrod Bowen 6

Made very little impact through the middle but delivered when dropping out wide with a fine cross for Diop’s goal.

Substitutes

Said Benrahma 5

Tried to inspire some creativity but lost the ball too often. Confidence looks low.

Manuel Lanzini n/a

Ryan Fredericks n/a

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