West Ham 2-2 Brighton: Bissouma masterclass tops player ratings again
As we hurtle towards the January transfer window, Yves Bissouma continues to add a few more million to his price tag with each passing game. The Malian’s latest midfield masterclass saw him top the Brighton player ratings for the 2-2 draw at West Ham United.
Bissouma was here, there and everywhere in a dominant display in which he was head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch – including Declan Rice.
If Manchester United, Liverpool or Arsenal want to sign Bissouma in the next month, then they are going to have to pay some serious cash to secure his services as right now, he is priceless to the Albion.
Also impressing at the London Stadium were Solly March (as per normal) and Neal Maupay, who ended his three month drought in front of goal with a performance which should give him a lot of confidence going forward.
At the other end of the scale, it was a disappointing afternoon for Ben White, Steve Alzate, Robert Sanchez and Leandro Trossard who all failed to score anything above a six.
Here are how the Albion’s players rated in West Ham United 2-2 Brighton.
Robert Sanchez – 5.52
A reality check for all those Brighton fans hailing Big Bob Sanchez as the best goalkeeper since Gordon Banks. Part of the reason for him replacing Maty Ryan is because of his height, yet he looked worryingly shaky all game dealing with crosses. Both of West Ham’s goals came from balls into the six yard box which a 6’6 goalkeeper should be claiming.
Adam Webster – 6.62
The defender’s score of 6.62 for West Ham 2-2 Brighton was his highest WAB player ratings mark since the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in September. It was almost like Graham Potter using a right footed centre back on the right side of a back three brought the best out of him again.
Lewis Dunk – 5.25
Despite notching Brighton’s second with a poacher’s finish which Adam Virgo would have been proud of, the Albion captain was still rated the lowest of Potter’s back three. He did not exactly cover himself in glory for West Ham’s second equaliser when his failure to head away Aaron Cresswell’s corner gave Tomas Soucek the chance to head home.
Dan Burn – 6.57
The defender’s score of 6.57 for West Ham 2-2 Brighton was his highest WAB player ratings mark in the Premier League this season. It was almost like Potter using a 6’7 centre back as an orthodox defender rather than a left wing back brought the best out of him again.
Ben White – 5.38
The defender’s score of 5.38 for West Ham 2-2 Brighton was his lowest WAB player ratings mark this season. It was almost like Potter using a centre back as a right wing back caused him to struggle.
YVES BISSOUMA – 7.33
We are fast running out of words to describe Bissouma. Covered every blade of grass, broke up play and tried to get Brighton onto the front foot. Liverpool and Arsenal were rumoured to be interested in November; Real Madrid joined them earlier in December and now United are taking a look too. He is some player.
Adam Lallana – 6.29
When he was on the pitch, Brighton were in complete control of the first half. Once he exited proceedings at the break with another injury problem, that control disappeared and West Ham were able to come back into the tie. His 38 accurate passes and 54 touches were more than any other player in the time he was on the pitch.
Solly March – 6.95
Involved in both the goals which was enough to see him rated as the Albion’s second best player after Bissouma. His clever pass released the galloping Burn to cross for Maupay’s opener and he swung over the delivery which Dunk got on the end of to put Brighton back into the lead.
Leandro Trossard – 5.81
You might have forgotten he was playing were it not for his role in taking the short corner to March in the build up to Brighton’s second. Looks a shadow of the tour de force he was between June and October.
Danny Welbeck – 6.10
Saw plenty of the ball in the first half when Brighton were on top but it is hard to recall him doing much to test Lukasz Fabianski. One of his poorer games since signing from Watford in October.
Neal Maupay – 6.81
Brighton’s reluctance to take first time shots this season has been a real bugbear so to see him hit one on the turn to score was pleasing. This was his best performance for some time and as a player whose goals tend to come in streaks, Potter will be hoping that it will not be another three months before he nets again.
Steve Alzate – 5.43
The Colombian midfielder has hardly been given a sniff since October, so this extended 45 minutes in central midfield in place of the injured Lallana was a big opportunity. He failed to grasp it, giving the ball away cheaply inside the first 10 minutes he was on the pitch. His five accurate passes and 25 touches were a world away from the numbers recorded by Lallana.
The WAB Player Ratings are formulated using marks out of 10 given by Brighton fans via Twitter. To have your scores included, follow We Are Brighton on Twitter and look out for the player rating thread after each game.
