Everton 1-1 West Ham United
A Moyesball extravaganza that would have had both Graham Potter and David Moyes himself relieved to take a draw at Goodison Park.
In many respects, this was the game neither manager could afford to lose—not for any big implications on Premier League standings but due to media scrutiny.
Everton started as the faster team, but West Ham settled well enough and were by far the better side in the second half. That said, it was a game of two teams set up defensively and not to lose, so I guess it’s no surprise that it ended in a draw.
With the exception of Tomáš Souček, I think all of the games best players were defenders, as the likes of Todibo, Kilman, O’Brien, and Branthwaite looked dominant.
Watching Moyes getting applauded by the Hammers fans was a nice touch at the end, as was his interaction with his former players. Mischief makers would have you believe that West Ham fans dislike David Moyes but it’s poppycock stirred up by the media as was demonstrated today.
At the end, there was a knowing wag of the finger from the Scotsman towards Souček before the pair embraced at the final whistle.
Graham Potter and his team stayed and applauded the visiting West Ham fans, and there can be little doubt that the Irons’ defence has been fixed.
It might not have been the most exciting match in the world, but I suspect both managers would have taken a draw before kick-off. And with the odds according to Betway always pointing towards a bore-draw, it’s hardly surprising.
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Everton: 11/10
- Draw: 9/4
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West Ham: 13/5
Match Details
Everton 1-1 West Ham United
Premier League, Goodison Park
Everton: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski ©, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner (Iroegbunam 79), Alcaraz, Doucouré (Lindstrøm 68), Harrison (Chermiti 79), Beto (Broja 80)
Subs not used: Virginia (GK), Young, Keane, Coleman, Patterson
Goal: O’Brien 90+1
Booked: Chermiti
West Ham United: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo (Ferguson 90), Kilman, Mavropanos, Emerson, Paquetá (Soler 83), Souček, Ward-Prowse, Bowen ©, Kudus (Rodríguez 90)
Subs not used: Fabiański (GK), Scarles, Cresswell, Álvarez, Luis Guilherme, Ings
Goal: Bowen 67
Booked: Todibo, Paquetá
Not a good result, Emerson was excellent, rest of team poor to average. Everton were poor and we can’t hold a lead because we sit back all the time. Only 2 mins for a striker, pac has to go,far too inconsistent in a season. Ward P can only pass sideways and backwards, certain players not given a chance to play. Not impressed, regardless of the situation we should be busting a gut to win games, money and pride at stake.
Pity the home fans don’t get applauded?
A pity they couldn’t hold the 1-0 advantage, but the second half was at least an improvement over the first half, as well as over the two previous matches, with a more compact (“shorter”) team and everyone moving quickly and more willing to help out their teammates. A more active midfield today, and more than once displaying one-touch passing, speeding up the game. Earlier substitutions -say after the opening goal- would have been desirable, thus giving Ferguson more minutes (maybe also to Luis Guilherme?). What a special player Kudus, not perfect in his passes today, but what a fighter, and never giving up the ball. In the end a good point.
Sean Dyche/ Moyes team verses loppy tepid/Moyes team out come forseen. Kudus and paquta waste of time. When are we going to play with a centre forward?; Biggest winner Sean Dyche because it’s his nucleus of an Everton team that was always going to be tough to beat.
Don’t understand how you can view this game and not mention how good was Emerson, and how poor was Paqueta, blimey mate, one of em is supposed to be a creative midfielder who’s a game changer, the other one is an attacking left back, who supposedly can’t defend, I think today’s performances showed what’s what
Soucek scored the goal!