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.
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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.
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