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Premier League

May 2, 2015 at 3pm UK

West Ham West Ham United
1-0
Burnley

Noble (24' pen.)

FT(HT: 1-0)

Player Ratings: West Ham United 1-0 Burnley

By Alex Meyers, Reporter | 02 May 2015

Sports Mole analyses the Premier League match between West Ham United and Burnley at Upton Park as the Clarets lose 1-0 to move closer to relegation.

West Ham United claimed a 1-0 victory over 10-man Burnley in their Premier League clash this afternoon.

Michael Duff was sent off for the visitors midway through the first half after bringing down Cheikhou Kouyate inside the box.

Mark Noble stepped up to take the resulting penalty and made no mistake with a composed finish into the bottom corner.

Burnley were unable to find a way back into the match and they will be relegated if they fail to beat Hull City next weekend.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the events that unfolded at Upton Park.

WEST HAM

Goal

Adrian: The keeper only had to make two saves, but they were both important. He did well to block a header from Barnes in the first half, before clawing away an effort from Taylor after the break. (7/10)

Defence

Carl Jenkinson: Energetic performance down the right from the full back. He got forward at every chance and delivered a number of teasing crosses into the box. (7/10)

James Collins: Solid display at the back from the Welshman. He won everything that came his way and was strong in the challenge throughout. (7/10)

Reece Burke: The teenager followed on from his good performance against Queens Park Rangers last weekend with another assured display. He was not beaten in the air and dealt with the threat of Ings and Barnes well. (7/10)

Aaron Cresswell: Another good display from one of West Ham's best players of the season. He was always a danger down the left and did not neglect his defensive duties. (7/10)

Midfield

Kevin Nolan: Had some bright moments in the West Ham attack, but struggled to stamp his authority on the match before he was eventually replaced by Nene. (6/10)

Cheikhou Kouyate: His trickery won West Ham the vital penalty after he was brought down by Duff. He had some more dangerous moments and saw a late shot blocked on the line by Shackell. (7/10)

Mark Noble: The West Ham captain took his goal well and it proved to be the winner. He produced a reliable display in the middle and worked hard for his team. (7/10)

Morgan Amalfitano: Had a decent chance to score after being slipped into the box by Nolan, but curled his effort over the bar. It was his only real moment of danger in a far more subdued display than usual. (6/10)

Stewart Downing: Whipped in some decent crosses and caused the Burnley defence some problems down the right, but he drifted in and out of the match. (6/10)

Attack

Enner Valencia: Did not make the most of the good service coming into the box from both flanks. He barely had a sniff of goal and was replaced late on by Cole. (5/10)

Substitutes

Nene: Did not see much of the ball after appearing for the final 11 minutes. (6/10)

Carlton Cole: Made a bright impact and almost scored with a header seconds after coming off the bench. He also saw a strike saved by the keeper in the closing stages. (7/10)

BURNLEY

Goal

Tom Heaton: Superb display from the keeper, who was unable to do anything about the penalty, but made a number of fine saves to keep the score down to one goal. (8/10)

Defence

Kieran Trippier: Caused the Hammers a number of problems down the right and whipped some great deliveries into the area. (7/10)

Michael Duff: Gave away a poor penalty after bringing down Kouyate inside the box, although the decision to send him off was harsh. (5/10)

Jason Shackell: Was a rock at the heart of the Burnley defence and made a number of vital interceptions, as well as winning everything in the air. (8/10)

Ben Mee: Another of the Clarets defence who produced a fine rearguard display as they came under increasing pressure from the Hammers. (7/10)

Midfield

David Jones: Worked hard for his team in the centre of the pitch to try to win the ball back as the opposition dominated possession. (6/10)

Matthew Taylor: Looked a real danger down the left wing in the early stages of the match and curled in a couple of dangerous crosses. (7/10)

George Boyd: Struggled to make a real impact and was sacrificed at half time to make way for Keane. (6/10)

Scott Arfield: Put in a tireless shift in front of the back four and gave his all to the cause throughout the afternoon. (7/10)

Attack

Danny Ings: Had a very good chance in the early stages, but headed over from just a few yards out. He did not see too much of the ball after the red card, but still caused a few moments of panic for the West Ham defence. (6/10)

Ashley Barnes: Did not make too much of an impact on his return to the side. He also missed a good early chance to score and he was eventually replaced by Sordell. (6/10)

Substitutes

Michael Keane: Came on at half time and produced a reliable and strong display at the heart of the defence. (7/10)

Marvin Sordell: Made very little impact after coming off the bench. (6/10)

Ross Wallace: Another who struggled to see any of the ball following his late arrival. (6/10)