[West Ham](https://www.claretandhugh.info/moyes-return-west-ham-v-everton-preview-team-news-line-ups-prediction/) started with a nervy, second best first 45minutes at London Stadium and would surely need to kick on in the second half as the first half ended all square. The only consolation was that at half time, Spurs hadn’t scored against Wolves either, a situation that the Hammers simply could not rely on remaining the same through the second half.
Soucek’s header from Bowen’s corner put the Irons ahead early on in the second half. West Ham then dropped deeper and deeper and the fingernails got bitten as last ditch defending preserved the lead. It couldn’t last as Nuno sat back and sat back- with the inevitable consequences.
### Nuno somehow tore victory from the jaws of defeat-
As his 80th minute swap of Pablo for Wilson paid off – substitute Callum Wilson popping up in stoppage time for a typical poacher’s goal that you wouldn’t want falling to anyone else. Phew.
**Hermansen 6:** One fumble escaped punishment: Just the one first half save required down to his left. Mission accomplished n the first half. Did look wobbly with a poor second half punch: Very pleased to see him come and claim the last Everton cross on 97 minutes to calm the last minute nerves.
**Walker Peters 7:** Lots of running, Everton closing him down well. Hardworking and a couple of good interceptions early in the second half. Solid defending and Duracell-like never ending running from the first minute to the 100th.
**Disasi 9:** Solid and frequently called upon in the first ’45 as Everton troubled the Hammers on the break. Looking solid alongside his defensive partner. Pushed over in Everton’s box but decreed to have ‘made a meal of it’ – no penalty – but not afraid to push forward for Hammers set pieces. Combined with Soucek for a last ditch clearance as West Ham sat back.
**Mavropanos 8 :** Now customary solidity and ‘no way through’ mentality, coupled with some Scott Parker-like 360 degree moves to bring the ball out of defence. Perhaps culpable for Everton’s equaliser but will have to watch again. Otherwise, solid, sound, reliable as the rock of Gibraltar. Who knew.
**Diouf 7:** Poor crosses and poor first touch summed up West Ham’s first half: The Senegalese did at least defend adequately in the first ’45. More decent defensive headers in the second half and got stronger as the game wore on.
West Ham’s man of the match IMHO
**Soucek 8:** Trundled around with little effect in the first half. Brilliant header from amongst a crowd of defenders on 52′ from Bowen’s corner to put West Ham ahead. Brilliant last ditch clearance to deny Everton an equaliser one 76′.Another header onto the bar saved the Hammers again one minute later. My MOM.
**Fernandes 6:** Bad mistake caught in possession early on: Fortunately Everton couldn’t capitalise on a rare mistake by the young midfielder. Got away with an inadvertent hand ball which on another day would have signalled a stonewall penalty. Inexplicable VAR decision but nobody at West Ham will care one bit.
**Bowen 7:** Anonymous first half until the 45th minute when he threaded a through ball into the box-that nobody had anticipated and it shot across the face to Everton’s goal. Another assist from West Ham;’s skipper. And then an added time leap to nod down for Wilson’s goal to restore West Ham’ lead. Brilliant from the skipper.
**Summerville 8 :** Three or four pacy runs shows Summerville is getting back uptown speed: O’Brien had no answer and was yellow carded in the first half – as was Tarkowski in the second minute for a dreadful body check. Clattered for a third time on 63′ by Garner which resulted in another Everton yellow card. Disgraceful. Battered and bruised and sandwiched again by two Everton defenders in the last minute as the Hammers saw out 8 added.
**Castellanos 5:** One decent tracking back tackle on the edge of his own box was his sole involvement in an anonymous first 45′. Clattered by Pickford when through on goal winning the corner from which the Irons took the lead. Yellow carded for kicking the ball away – probably his best connection of the afternoon. Subbed off 77′ for Freddie Potts.
**Pablo 4:** Terrible touch all half, still playing as if he’s wearing divers’ boots. Urgently needs to be off the pitch and Bowen played centrally with Traore on the right. West Ham are wasting time and fixtures indulging Pablo hoping he will suddenly click. An anonymous second half and subbed for Wilson on 80′. His best contribution was making way. Says it all.
Substitutes
_Potts: Anonymous_
_Wilson: One half_ _chance fluffed. And then in the 93rd minute a poachers’ gaol that could just have rescued West Ham ‘s season._
_Todibo: On for Bowen 95′_