West Ham player ratings vs AZ Alkmaar: Lucas Paqueta shines as Pablo Fornals seals deal
Pablo Fornals scored a late winner on the night to send the Hammers into next month’s final in Prague, having come from behind to beat the Dutch side at the London Stadium last week.
Here’s how David Moyes’s side rated at the AFAS Stadion…
Alphonse Areola 6
Distribution was shaky during the first half. Only saves from opposition were fairly routine but sharp to keep out Kehrer’s strange touch.
Thilo Kehrer 6
Was having a steady night until almost poking past his own ‘keeper under no pressure. Big block on Karlsson before that. Booked for time-wasting.
Kurt Zouma 7
An assured presence at the back, did not have to get his hands as dirty as his partner.
Nayef Aguerd 7
Made an excellent first-half block and went on one superb solo dribble to drag West Ham upfield. Vital intervention to deny Pavliidis. Missed a big chance late on, for all it came at him quickly.
Aaron Cresswell 6
Sent off early against Frankfurt a year ago, gained redemption of sorts. Set-piece delivery was below par here, a frustration given West Ham’s size advantage.
Tomas Soucek 7
Such a physical presence. Booked for time-wasting.
Declan Rice 7
Made a brilliant recovery tackle to halt Van Brederode’s breakaway. Tested Ryan with long-range effort.
Lucas Paqueta 8
Struck the post with West Ham’s best chance of the first half and the key instigator in most attacks. Brave on the ball and Moyes’s best player on the night.
Main man: Paqueta was West Ham’s best player on the night
/ REUTERSJarrod Bowen 6
Dragged early snapshot wide of near-post. A little hesitant when running onto a loose ball late on and ended up cutting back to no one.
Michail Antonio 7
As at the London Stadium, too strong for Alkmaar’s defenders. No real chance to make an impact in front of goal though.
Said Benrahma 6
Decent tussle with Sugawara but did his defensive work with uncharacteristic diligence.
Substitutes
Pablo Fornals (Benrahma 75’) 7
Scored a sensational individual goal to clinch it in added time.
Danny Ings (Antonio 85’) N/A
Flynn Downes (Paqueta 90’) N/A
Unused: Fabianski, Anang, Johnson, Ogbonna, Coufal, Emerson, Lanzini, Cornet, Mubama
