[West Ham](https://www.claretandhugh.info/moyes-return-west-ham-v-everton-preview-team-news-line-ups-prediction/) were unchanged from the side that struggled to overcome Crystal Palace – and looked similarly lacklustre in the first twenty minutes this afternoon. Twice Everton hit on the break – but failed to capitalise thanks to poor final passes. Two lucky escapes then, but that surely couldn’t continue all afternoon …
Summerville started to grow into the game with a couple of trademark runs both resulting in fouls being won as Everton struggled to contain his pace, but no end product apart from blocked shots and a Soucek header over the bar.
Fair to say that Everton were by far the brighter side in the first half an hour, sitting back and hitting West Ham on the break. The Hammers lacking any ability to hold onto the ball in this first half an hour. Pablo in particular displaying the customary divers’ boots first touch.
This first half has a pattern to it- giving the ball away, defend, work hard to win it back but then boot it upfield again -and repeat. At times it seemed West Ham had resorted to their familiar ‘hoof ball’ of a previous era.
Already Disasi and Mavropanos have been called on frequently to dig West Ham out of trouble but the Hammers looking fragile and second best in this first half. What is clear at half time is that whilst Everton are competing, they are certainly not a side to be feared on this first half showing.
Brown did have one good run and through ball that nobody reached- just before half time the Irons did at least show some intent.
West Ham urgently need Traore on the right and Bowen in the middle instead of concrete-boots Pablo. Someone message Nuno at half time, please.