David Moyes, Graham Potter
(Credit: Imago)
Keith Hackett
Sat 15 March 2025 19:40, UK
Everton maintained their unbeaten Premier League run with a late leveller against West Ham United in a game that included a controversial moment.
Tomas Soucek’s 67th-minute goal for West Ham looked to be the difference between the sides on Saturday (15 March), only for Jake O’Brien to head in right at the death.
Everton never truly got going at Goodison Park but ultimately did what they have done so often of late in making themselves incredibly tough to beat.
1Beto
Everton’s Beto thought he had won a penalty (Credit: Imago)
Everton penalty overturned after VAR intervention
Everton thought they had been awarded a penalty in the first half, only for the referee to overturn his decision after VAR intervention, which the Premier League explained in a statement.
Max Kilman caught Beto and referee Darren Bond pointed to the spot, but the celebrations soon ended when he went to the screen.
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It was adjudged that the contact was not sufficient, and the first half played out to its goalless conclusion.
Asked for his thoughts on the incident after watching back footage, former FIFA official Keith Hackett exclusively agreed with the decision.
Hackett told Goodison News: “Excellent intervention by VAR to advise the referee that his initial decision to award a penalty kick was incorrect. A good intervention by VAR.”
#EVEWHU – 44’ VAR OVERTURN
VAR checked the referee’s call of penalty to Everton for a challenge by Kilman on Beto – and deemed that no foul was committed, therefore recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball.
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) March 15, 2025
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Everton extend unbeaten run with West Ham draw
Everton entered this game unbeaten in eight Premier League matches and it looked for all the world as though it would reset to zero, but O’Brien had other ideas.
Passes Chances Created Shots On Target Touches Accurate Long Balls Duels Won Defensive Actions
38/45 (84%) 3 2/2 66 3/8 (38%) 2/10 4
O’Brien v West Ham
There cannot really be any complaints about the penalty decision. Everton deserve credit for not letting the Soucek goal completely suck the life out of them in what was a game between two sides with little to play for.
Next up for Everton is a showdown with Liverpool in the second Merseyside derby of the season, before the visit of Arsenal in the penultimate game at Goodison.
Moyes will know that a better performance is required for both of those matches.
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