West Ham 0-0 Brighton: Van Hecke tops ratings again with no Dunk
The Albion keeping a clean sheet, what is this madness? Not only that, but the first shutout recorded for 25 Premier League games came without Lewis Dunk. The reason Brighton did not miss their captain in the 0-0 draw with West Ham United was once more down to Jan Paul van Hecke, who topped the player ratings for his performance at the London Stadium.
Whenever Dunk has been absent this season, it is Van Hecke who has stepped up. Away at Ajax when Dunk missed the second half injured. In the final 20 minutes against Nottingham Forest after Dunk was red carded for calling referee Anthony Taylor a bald prick.
And now against the Hammers. With neither Adam Webster nor Pervis Estupinan fully fit and 18-year-old Jack Hinshelwood out-of-position at right back, Van Hecke made sure none of that mattered with a colossal 90 minutes which again led many to hail him as Dunk’s successor as Brighton captain.
Here are your West Ham 0-0 Brighton player ratings.
Jason Steele – 7.36
Three good first half saves in what was comfortably his best game of the season so far. The tip onto the post from Jarrod Bowen was particularly impressive, even if Danny Dyer’s son-in-law was flagged for offside after getting his shot away.
Jack Hinshelwood – 8.09
Untroubled at the back and did well getting forward up and down the right. Scary to think how good he is going to be in five years time given he is still a teenager and we are yet to really see him in the middle of the park, which Roberto De Zerbi maintains is his best position.
Adam Webster – 6.91
Hands up, who was worried about Webster being pitched straight back into the starting XI after over seven weeks out? For a player who is notoriously shaky when returning from long absences, this was a fine performance before cramp in both legs forced him off.
JAN PAUL VAN HECKE – 8.55
Read the game brilliantly. A real leader at the back. And as for the back heel clearance, whisper it quietly but it was even calmer than Dunk’s trademark chest home to the goalkeeper. Just magnificent.
Pervis Estupinan – 7.45
Did not look like a player who was making his first start since September. Energetic up and down the line and did a solid job when moved into the middle alongside Van Hecke after Webster limped off.
Pascal Gross – 7.09
Could have had a couple of goals with a header which was too easy for Alphonse Areola and then not quite getting on the end of a cross from substitute Jakub Moder. Other than that, kept things ticking in midfield.
Billy Gilmour – 7.00
A quieter game compared to his showing in the victory over Spurs. Did a disciplined job in front of the back four, especially in the first half when West Ham showed a modicum of attacking intent.
Facundo Buonanotte – 7.00
Starting to adapt to English football nicely now. His run 60 yards up the pitch to win a first half free kick on the counter was a highlight and he displayed other nice touches of skill.
Joao Pedro – 7.09
Brilliant second half run which took him around what felt like half the West Ham team could have ended with one of the goals of the season had he not then shot meekly at Areola.
James Milner – 7.36
Looks much better playing in midfield after a stuttering start to his Albion career at full back. Delivered some teasing crosses into the box and almost had a goal himself when doing everything right to get on the end of a cross, only to then volley the ball somewhere towards Canary Wharf.
Danny Welbeck – 6.18
One decent shot was repelled by Areola. A quiet display, although nobody could begrudge him that as he continues to work his way back to full fitness.
Evan Ferguson – 6.09
Hopes were high when Ferguson took over from Welbeck that the Irish teenage sensation might provide the breakthrough. Caused a few problems and saw a low shot flash just wide.
Adam Lallana – 6.64
Came closer than any Brighton player to scoring when his strike late on drew the best save of the night from Areola. Threw in a Cruyff/Gross Turn at one point which did not receive the “HOOORAY” reserved for Der Kaiser.
Jakub Moder – 6.09
Missed a big opportunity on the volley to score his first Premier League goal and a good cross created a decent chance for Gross. This was probably his best performance since coming back from that horrible ACL injury.
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.
