West Ham match analysis and player ratings: Attitude a concern as Hammers' woeful away record worsens

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Eden Hazard struck twice as Chelsea eased past West Ham to strengthen their bid for a top four finish.

The Belgian scored a wonderful individual effort after 24 minutes before sealing the win with his second in injury time.

The win sees the Blues move into third while West Ham remain 11th after a third defeat in four top-flight games.

Jack Rosser was at Stamford Bridge to provide analysis for Standard Sport.

Woeful away record must be addressed

One of Manuel Pellegrini’s tasks at West Ham this season was to turn the corner at London Stadium.

REUTERS

The chaotic scenes during the Burnley defeat last term made that a priority. He has steadied the ship in east London, making Stratford a far happier place than a year ago, but on the road their form has been terrible.

Not since December 27 at Southampton have the Hammers taken all three points on their travels, and with a lot of the squad looking to be dreaming of the beach already, that doesn’t look like changing any time soon, especially not a top-four chasing Manchester United this weekend.

Attitude a concern

Pellegrini has, again and again, said he will not rest in attempting to push West Ham higher and higher up the table before the end of the season.

Player Ratings

Fabianski: 6

Fredericks: 5

Balbuena: 6

Ogbonna: 5

Cresswell: 6

Rice: 7

Noble: 6

Lanzini: 5

Arnautovic: 5

Anderson: 5

Hernandez: 5

Substitutes

Snodgrass: 7

Obiang: 6

The Chilean has never missed out on European football when he has had the chance, but it seems the West Ham squad aren’t too concerned with a late push for a Europa League place as their manager.

Marko Arnautovic, denied a January move to China, looked especially lacklustre in the second half, before offering a touch more through the middle following the break.

Declan Rice continues to work tirelessly – with England manager Gareth Southgate watching from the stands here in west London - and Robert Snodgrass’ workrate off the bench should be an example to those around him.

However, throughout the squad, focus seems to have drifted - even if it is just by the odd percentage.

Balbuena return a bonus in the long run

During the first half of the season Fabian Balbuena proved that his nickname ‘The General’ was more than justified. The Paraguayan adapted to Premier League life far quicker than many expected and formed a formidable partnership with fellow summer signing Issa Diop.

A knee injury meant that this was his first club appearance since late December, despite turning out for Paraguay last month.

Getty Images

He wasn’t quite up to his usual best, but the South American’s return will be welcome news to Pellegrini.

Angelo Ogbonna started alongside him tonight, handing Diop a much needed rest, and struggled, booked for hauling Hazard down early on.

The reunion of Balbuena and Diop at the back for Saturday’s trip to Manchester United has been a long time coming.

Pellegrini change pays off

Pellegrini opted to start Declan Rice alongside captain Mark Noble in a midfield two, as opposed to the England international sitting a touch deeper in his usual role to provide cover.

The visitors lacked a base, and control, for the entirety of the first half. Eden Hazard’s goal, as brilliant as it was, came from the midfield two leaving too larger gap for the Belgian to glide through with no protection for the back four.

The Hammers boss hooked Javier Hernandez for Robert Snodgrass at half time, the Mexican perhaps a victim of the lack of service more than anything of his own doing, and saw his side enjoy far more control after the restart, with Rice allowed to drop in and deal with the runs of Hazard far more effectively.

Action Images via Reuters

Snodgrass’ industry gave the hosts far more to think about while Rice’s deeper position allowed both Felipe Anderson and Marko Arnautovic to get forward and cause problems.

They could not bring about a result, but West Ham were a much more threatening beast in the second half and Rice allowed to show what he is really best at.

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