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West Ham’s top four hopes were dealt a blow on Sunday night as they turned in a limp performance in a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United.

David Moyes opted to field three defensive midfielders – Mark Noble, Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek – as well as a back five as he looked to frustrate his former club.

However, they struggled to create opportunities, with home goalkeeper Dean Henderson facing no shots on target over the course of the 90 minutes.

Noble struggling to make a positive impact

Soucek and Rice are regulars for the Irons, but this was club captain Noble’s first start since the 2-2 draw with Brighton just before the turn of the year and just his fourth of the season in the Premier League (via Transfermarkt).

The Hammers’ record when he plays from the off does not make for pleasant reading – they have picked up one point from a possible 12, with the veteran of 521 club appearances also starting in comprehensive defeats to Newcastle and Chelsea.

The 33-year-old announced last week that the 2021/22 would be his last at the club and, judging by last night, he is in danger of going out on a whimper. His total of 38 touches was the third-lowest among the Irons’ starting XI, while he was beaten twice in the dribble by opponents (Sofascore).

Responding to a tweet from fan feed The West Ham Way highlighting the unenviable win record with Noble starting, these supporters gave their verdict on what he has offered this year. One described his Old Trafford performance as “anonymous”, while another feel that he “kills the way we play”, which may explain the Irons’ poor record when he starts.

These West Ham fans were critical of Noble

“Noble is a club legend and rightly so but should be nowhere near the starting 11….another season carrying him in these games vs the ‘big’ boys. Moyes doing a fantastic job but has an inferiority complex in these games. Man City performance should be the rule, not the exception.”

Credit: @Lipdogz

“His first move is to turn goal side to buy time. He moves the ball to either a cb or a fb or at best to rice or soucek. Any momentum stagnates. This level has been beyond him for some time now. At times it was painful watching fred and mctominay bypassing him with such ease.”

Credit: @apl63

“Noble starts we lose. Great servant, love the bloke but coming on to hold on or kill a game is one thing. He just kills the way we play”

Credit: @unbiasedhammer

“As soon as I saw he was starting I knew we wouldn’t win, we haven’t won a game when he has started and it shows. Great bloke, but times have changed and he shouldn’t start any more games. Sad but time catches up with everyone in the end.”

Credit: @Tiger2806

“He was totally anonymous last night, players glide past him with ease now, he is only useful for a game in last 15 or 20 minutes due to players tiring but starting no”

Credit: @tayloriw

“Love him but the team has moved on. He’s not good enough to be starting anymore. As a sub to see a game through to the end then yes. But not as a starter.”

Credit: @billhrpr

“The problem is he shouldn’t even be an option. He is taking up an academy players slot and not for the first time.”

Credit: @gallivantor2020

“And that point was because he was subbed off at half time. He is a huge problem. Last 10-15 min player tops. Should never ever start league games, he’s way past it.”

Credit: @henn88

“He has one strength now, and that’s slowing a game down to close it out.”

Credit: @ZentaviusTV

In other news, one West Ham player has signalled good news on the injury front.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Newcastle United man Steve Howey has been discussing the injury to Fabinho ahead of Leicester vs Liverpool this weekend.

The Brazilian is set to miss the trip to the King Power Stadium due to a minor muscle injury, leaving Jurgen Klopp with very few centre-back options ahead of the game against the high-flying Foxes.

Liverpool did bring in Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies during the January transfer window and it seems likely that at least one of them will appear against Brendan Rodgers’ side in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Here’s what Howey had to say when speaking exclusively to FFC:

“Well, you’ve got to look at them in training, which Klopp obviously has. I think that you’d probably take one, and [play Henderson alongside him]. I would’ve thought, I’d be pulling Henderson and telling him ‘I’m putting him in, be around all this week’, so it’s not a major shock to the system.

“With these two lads coming in, they might be like ‘what the hell’, because Jordan Henderson’s giving them a right volley because they haven’t put the ball within an inch of where he wants it to be. I would have thought the manager probably will try one of them this week with Fabinho not there. Which one it is, I don’t know, it depends on which one he feels his ready at this particular point.”

Howey clearly feels that one of Kabak or Davies will start alongside Henderson against Leicester on Saturday and suggests that Klopp has most likely told his captain to help prepare the new signings this week so that they are ready for the high standards that Liverpool demand from their players.

It will be interesting to see which, if any, of the new signings make their debuts against Leicester, for what is a game that the Reds arguably cannot afford to lose if they still have hopes of retaining the Premier League title this season.

And, in other news… Klopp suffers huge blow ahead of Leicester as James Pearce confirms injury to “world-class” beast

Many fans of West Ham United have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relayed an image of the Hammers’ Czech Republic duo Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal.

So far this season, both Soucek and Coufal have hugely impressed throughout West Ham’s assault on the top four of the Premier League table. Soucek has scored eight goals and averaged a WhoScored match rating of 7.36, while Coufal has provided his teammates with three assists and averaged a match rating of 6.97 – ranking the pair as the club’s second and fifth-best performers in the top flight respectively.

After West Ham relayed an image on Twitter of the ‘Czech-mates’ on the training ground, many fans of the club flocked to have their say on the “amazing” duo, with plenty heaping a considerable amount of praise on their performances for the club so far this season.

So, what exactly did these West Ham United fans have to say in reaction to the club’s post on Twitter?

“These two are like the proper old-time men of football – hard as nails and love playing the game. Salah take note.”

@Ricky87867277

“They’re amazing.”

@whugrace

“Oh I love them.”

@SamGadd_16

“Please never leave.”

@Ludders59

“I C O N S.”

@watsondara07

“Give them statues.”

@Tylerrjones16

“The goats themselves.”

@westhamwhu49

In other West Ham United news, many fans wanted this Premier League ace after a contract claim – find out more here!

When Tottenham agreed a deal with Southampton for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg during the summer transfer window, a lot of Lilywhites fans will have been more than happy to see Kyle Walker-Peters head in the opposite direction.

The youngster, who was a product of Tottenham’s academy, had struggled for regular game time under both Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho, making just 24 first-team appearances for the Lilywhites; in which he contributed one goal and five assists.

He spent the second half of the 2019/20 season on loan with Southampton and after impressing with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, it was clear that the Saints wanted to make his move a permanent one, which worked in Spurs’ favour as it allowed them to complete a deal for Hojbjerg.

Whilst the Danish international has impressed since joining and has been a mainstay in Mourinho’s side, it seems as if the club may be beginning to regret letting Walker-Peters go for £12 million.

The 23-year-old has been in superb form with the Saints this season, averaging an excellent 7.06 rating for his displays in the top-flight, whilst also helping the South Coast club earn eight clean sheets, which is the joint-best record of any team in the division, whilst he has made an impressive 49 tackles this season.

Meanwhile, Spurs’ summer signing of Matt Doherty is not yet bearing the fruit many thought it would, with the Irish international having struggled to cement his place in the Lilywhites’ starting side, whilst his baffling sending off in the final moments of the 3-0 win against Leeds recently will surely have left Mourinho fuming.

Fellow right-back Serge Aurier enjoyed an impressive start to the Premier League season but he has not featured since his dreadful display against Leicester City recently, where he, perhaps, relapsed into his old error-prone self by giving away a needless penalty in the first half.

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Therefore, when you consider how well Walker-Peters is settling in with Southampton, helping transform their defence into one of the best in the Premier League, it could definitely be argued that Daniel Levy and Mourinho made a mistake in letting the £12m man go, especially as Doherty is yet to find his feet in a Spurs shirt.

And, in other news… Mourinho must consider axing THFC flop who causes “major problems” in January

The Daily Record has suggested that Jermain Defoe could leave Glasgow Rangers this January.

Defoe may depart

Since signing for the Ibrox outfit in January 2019, Defoe has managed 29 goals in 62 games (Transfermarkt) – far from a disappointing record for a player fast approaching his forties.

However, he has appeared just seven times in the Premiership so far this campaign, and it has therefore been suggested that the former England international may move elsewhere for a final swansong.

Unlikely

Of course, Defoe would rather play more, but his absence from the starting line-up this season is not only down to Steven Gerrard. The 38-year-old has struggled with injuries, with a hamstring issue seeing him miss several games at the start of the campaign.

Yes, there is plenty of competition for places up front for the Gers – Gerrard can choose from Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten to lead the line. However, the 54-time Scottish champions are well on track to add a 55th title to their trophy cabinet as they lead the Scottish first tier by a huge 21 points with 14 games to play (BBC). Finishing the season on the top of the podium would surely be the best way for Defoe to say goodbye to the beautiful game.

In other news, Rangers fans hammered this star following his display against Motherwell.

Glasgow Rangers’ incredible run of form continued on Thursday afternoon as Steven Gerrard’s side secured a top seed position in Monday’s Europa League last 32 draw after they beat Lech Poznan in Poland to win Group D.

The Govan-based Glasgow giants have now won four of their past five fixtures in all competitions and they sit at the top of the Scottish Premiership – with 13 points separating them from second-placed Celtic.

But that’s no thanks to George Edmundson and Jordan Jones, who were branded “expendables” by former Rangers striker Steven Naismith after they were given a seven-game ban for breaching regulations.

Jones has been doing himself no favours in recent months regardless after he let Gerrard down with his lightweight display against Ross County back in October.

The 26-year-old started on the right wing in just his second start and third appearance of the season but he once again showed that he isn’t up to the standards that Gerrard demands.

As per SofaScore, Jones picked up the joint-lowest rating of any home player on the pitch, as he failed to register a single shot or assist, was dribbled past once and took just 32 touches of the ball as he struggled to get into the game.

With his time at Ibrox all but over, the Rangers manager may be better served by recalling Josh McPake from Greenock Morton in January instead.

The Rangers loanee faces an uncertain future at Cappielow Park after David Hopkins’ shock resignation earlier this week.

McPake has made a bright start to life in the Championship, having made eight appearances in all competitions with two assists in total for the Ton so far this season, which is as many as Jones has managed since he first arrived at Ibrox from Kilmarnock in 2019.

The former Morton manager reserved special praise for the Scotland U19 international after he made his first-team debut, saying “I thought he was excellent” and adding “the boy’s got a fantastic chance in football”, whilst academy coach Graeme Murty was effusive in his praise for the young winger, as he insisted: “He’s got lots of ability and he’s very elusive.”

Despite his age, the 19-year-old speed demon clearly isn’t a player who goes missing, unlike his older teammate.

Therefore, it’s imperative that Gerrard and Ross Wilson recall McPake in January, otherwise they risk hindering his development, as he has now lost one of his main allies in the dressing room.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Pundit drops major claim on Gerrard’s Rangers future…

After a bright start to the season, Glasgow Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos has struggled since the international break.

The Colombia international has made five appearances across all competitions since then, but has failed to find the back of the net or get an assist, and his latest abysmal display against Dundee United in the Premiership was arguably one of his worst since he first arrived at the 54-time Scottish champions.

If that wasn’t bad enough, he can consider himself fortunate he wasn’t sent off after he elbowed Mark Connolly in the face.

As per SofaScore, Morelos lost possession 12 times, despite the fact he took just 43 touches of the ball. It’s no wonder he was rated as one of the worst players on the pitch as he was a total calamity, only winning two out of his eight duels overall and failed to register a single shot on target, which is rather pathetic for a player of his standards.

In fact, it’s been quite a dramatic fall from grace for a player who was once considered to be the best striker in Scotland, as he hasn’t scored since the 3-3 draw away at Benfica in the Europa League.

It’s not like he isn’t getting the chances, either, as he managed to get into good positions but squandered three shots off target.

Glasgow Live gave Morelos a 5/10 rating and claimed ‘a daft early booking put him under pressure and his day got worst with a series of miscues,’

Whilst The 4th Official were equally scathing in their assessment as they went one below, insisting he ‘was quite possibly the worst player on the pitch for the Gers today as he failed to get into the pace of the game’.

It’s no surprise the 24-year-old was pulled off at the 73rd minute, although it could be argued that he was fortunate to still be on the pitch in the first place.

He should be nervously looking over his shoulder as Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe have been in such fine form in recent weeks, so his place in the starting line-up can no longer be guaranteed.

Gerrard will surely have to start looking at other options – with key clashes against Celtic and Hibernian on the horizon, the Bears will be well aware they simply cannot afford to slip-up.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers must sign THIS free-agent…

Everton are flying in the Premier League this season, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin firing the Goodison Park natives to an unbeaten record that earned the forward his England debut against Wales earlier this month.

No one has currently struck home more often in the top-flight than the 23-year-old, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Heung-Min Son the only other player than Calvert-Lewin to have scored seven goals over the opening five matchdays.

Everton’s future in attack now seems nailed on with the forward valued at £80million this summer amid interest from Manchester United. This, only just a year after apparent calls from supporters to ditch Calvert-Lewin after yet more “frustrating” performances that offered “zero technical ability”.

Calvert-Lewin’s path to success certainly took time to develop on Merseyside, with the former Sheffield United forward offering just 11 goals over his first three Premier League seasons before a breakthrough haul of 13 last term.

And now, Everton may have their next Calvert-Lewin waiting in line already, too, after Under 23s prospect Ellis Simms showed great signs of progress against Manchester United on Friday night when fielded against 2014 World Cup finalist Marcos Rojo.

Everton U23s boss David Unsworth has previously hailed Simms for being a great prospect with brilliant talent for his age, telling the Blues’ official website after the striker scored a 90th-minute match-winner against Watford back in February: “He was absolutely superb.

“His hold-up play, his threat, his power and his link-up play were exceptional. The stuff we’ve worked with him on since pre-season, he is now bringing into this game and I am so proud of him. When you apply yourself the way that Ellis has you reap the rewards.”

Unsworth has refused to get too carried away with the 19-year-old’s progress, as well, telling the Liverpool Echo: “When balls are thread through to him, there’s nobody better. We know that and he’s top-class at that and his finishing is fantastic.

“There’s a lot of things we know, warts-and-all, that people don’t see. People see Ellis Simms scored two goals and expect him to be in our first-team. It’s a long way off but it’s not something he can’t do.”

Simms’ performance against Manchester United’s U23s on Friday night will certainly be one that causes key figures at Finch Farm to sit up and pay attention. The Liverpool Echo noted shades of Calvert-Lewin from 18-months ago by using his enthusiasm to shrug off the experience Rojo boasts and score the Blues’ only goal of the night.

But the 19-year-old Simms’ inexperience was also on show – keeping in line with Unsworth’s calls for patience – as he opted to round another defender before shooting when United ‘keeper Ondrej Mastny left the goal wide open, a decision which allowed Brandon Williams to recover and clear the ball away on the goal line.

But Carlo Ancelotti will have been left with plenty of food for thought, as Everton decided to keep Simms at Finch Farm this summer to develop his game like the Blues did with Calvert-Lewin, and decide in January whether or not a loan move would be best for the talented youngster.

Further performances like his against Manchester United will show Ancelotti that Simms is on the right path, and a successful loan come the winter market could be what takes the striker beyond the U23s and into the first-team in the not too distant future.

AND in other news, Everton appear to have dodged a bullet in a £13.5m man courted by Marco Silva in 2019.

Leeds have been tipped by bookmakers to strike a deal for outcast Tottenham Hotspur man Dele Alli (via Leeds Live). The Whites are 25/1 to be the ones to prise the midfielder away from north London after he has fallen drastically down Jose Mourinho’s pecking order.

No asking price has been set for the 24-year-old, but Transfermarkt currently values Alli at £46million, which may be a little beyond Leeds’ budget, but he is definitely a player that would warrant such a fee. Considering the fact that Andrea Radrizzani splashed a club record £29million on 29-year-old Rodrigo over the summer, it’s not an unfair amount for Alli.

How would Alli benefit Leeds?

Marcelo Bielsa is currently relying heavily on Patrick Bamford to score the bulk of the team’s goals. Out of the 14 Premier League goals the Whites have scored so far this season, 50% have come from the 27-year-old target man. Matheus Klich and Helder Costa are tied for the next highest goal tally, with two each to their name (via BBC Sport).

Leeds’ lack of goals from the rest of the team is astounding and they will soon land in seriously hot water unless they can find the back of the net more often. It’s not so much about signing another prolific goalscorer, but ensuring that Bamford has the service he needs to do his thing in front of goal.

By signing Alli, who has worked with clinical attackers Son Heung-min and Harry Kane, the Leeds star will be set up with creative balls and passes each time the two play together. The Spurs man’s knowledge of how a typical striker like Kane scores his goals will be invaluable wisdom that can rub off onto Bielsa’s tactics with Bamford.

Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino was always heaping praise on Alli during his time at the club, and lauded him as having “unbelievable maturity and quality” from a young age.

Leeds are currently 15th in the table, but after suffering back-to-back heavy defeats, their morale could have taken a pummelling. In order to survive their returning season, Bielsa and Victor Orta must act fast and consider striking a loan deal for Alli in January. Should things go well, a permanent move can be discussed in the near future.

In other news, This Leeds man has a concerning pattern emerging in his recent performances…

Wolverhampton Wanderers were left stunned on Sunday evening as they suffered another defeat in the Premier League.

Nuno Santo’s side were surprisingly thrashed 4-0 by West Ham, who picked up their first points of the new season – all without their manager David Moyes in attendance.

It really was a shocking night for the Midlands outfit.

Skipper Conor Coady was off the mark, Raul Jimenez was ineffective, although one Wolves player let his manager down the most.

Tackle-hungry playmaker Joao Moutinho is often an essential cog in this system and a wholly disappointing display was perhaps one reason why Wolves were played off the park.

Per SofaScore, the 34-year-old made just one key pass, failed to register a single shot on target and lost eight of his ten duels. Moutinho was also dribbled past four times and committed one foul.

He could not compete with the industrious duo of Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice in the heart of the Irons engine room.

The Portuguese veteran recorded a rating of under 6.3 for the second successive match, via WhoScored, so he has gone off the boil in this early start to the season.

It’s thought that Moutinho is the highest earner at Molineux, taking in wages of £100k-per-week and Nuno simply can’t afford to see his performances dip considering he’s a key talisman for the club.

He’s undoubtedly a talented player but considering his age, it would be reasonable to think that some form of regression is due which could spell trouble for the Wolf Pack.

If that lightweight display was a glimpse into that, then Nuno ought to think ahead with a succession plan sooner rather than later.

AND in other news, Wolves fans rip into one defender after West Ham showing…