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Hammers see off spirited Everton

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West Ham overcame a spirited Everton comeback to win 2-1 at the London Stadium on Sunday and move back into the top six.

The Hammers were not at their best throughout the game, with a fair amount of rustiness creeping into their play.

However, there was one sublime bit of quality that gave the Irons the lead, when Aaron Cresswell curled a superb free-kick into the top corner just after the half-hour mark.

That came after Ryan Fredericks had denied Richarlison with a sensational goal-saving tackle, and Pablo Fornals had missed a gilt-edged opportunity when one-on-one with Jordan Pickford.

Everton actually started the second half in fine fettle and equalised in the 52nd minute, as Mason Holgate fired a half-volley at goal and saw it deflected into the bottom corner by Fornals.

It took just six minutes for the Irons to get back ahead, though. A superb pass from deep set Mikey Antonio through on goal but his effort was saved by Pickford; Jarrod Bowen, making his return from injury, followed in to score the rebound and wrap up all three points.

West Ham’s task of seeing the game out was made all the easier just after the hour mark, when Michael Keane was sent off for a second yellow card after lunging at Antonio on the edge of the box; Cresswell whipped the resulting free-kick just wide.

The Hammers are now firmly back in the hunt for European football; Everton look in real trouble.

Onto Lyon!

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A journalist with 10 years' experience of working on National newspapers, now chief reporter covering the club that I've loved since I was a boy. Upton Park remains the greatest football stadium ever built.