Here's a paragraph by Sam Wallace in the Independent, Monk

For the home side, Stewart Downing was excellent, passing the ball better than any other. Andy Carroll did his ProZone statistics no harm with an energetic determination to run back into midfield when the mood took him, yet in front of goal, where it mattered most, he could not quite force matters

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/west-ham-united-vs-everton-match-report-carlton-cole-and-adrian-the-heroes-as-hammers-are-spot-on-in-thriller-9976442.html

I think you have to take into account that Everton were good.

Maybe also you're making the mistake of using the Liverpool & Man City games as a benchmark? But compared to the dross that was served up all last season, the quality of the passing was far higher last night.