In a thrilling encounter on Monday Night Football, Everton and West Ham played to a 1-1 draw, with West Ham's captain Jarrod Bowen rescuing a point for his team and new manager Nuno Espirito Santo. This match marked Nuno's first game in charge after the club parted ways with Graham Potter just days earlier.
The Hammers seemed poised to suffer from a recurring issue when Michael Keane scored with a header in the first half, putting Everton ahead. This goal highlighted a significant concern for West Ham, as it was the eighth time this season they had conceded from set pieces, putting them halfway to the Premier League record for the most goals conceded from corners in a single season. Nuno, visibly frustrated, shook his head in the dugout, knowing that this defensive frailty needed urgent attention.
However, the tide turned in the 65th minute when Bowen capitalized on a loose ball at the back post. He unleashed a powerful shot that deflected off Keane, marking the first goal scored by an opposing player at Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium. This moment ignited jubilation among West Ham supporters and saw Nuno celebrating passionately from the sidelines.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher praised Bowen, stating, "Bowen is one of the greatest players to play for the club," as he closed in on Michail Antonio's record of 68 Premier League goals for West Ham, now just nine goals shy of that milestone.
Player Ratings
Everton: Pickford (7), Mykolenko (6), Keane (7), Tarkowski (7), O'Brien (6), Garner (6), Grealish (7), Dewsbury-Hall (7), Ndiaye (6), Gueye (6), Beto (5).
Substitutes: Barry (6), Dibling (6)
West Ham: Areola (6), Walker-Peters (6), Mavropanos (5), Kilman (6), Diouf (7), Magassa (6), Fernandes (6), Summerville (7), Paqueta (6), Bowen (7), Fullkrug (6).
Substitutes: Potts (6), Guilherme (6), Irving (N/A), Julio (N/A)
Player of the Match: Crysencio Summerville (West Ham)
Crysencio Summerville had a close call just moments before Bowen's equalizer, with his flick being expertly saved by Everton's Jordan Pickford. Bowen also had another attempt shortly after that was deflected out for a corner. Despite West Ham's efforts, it was Everton who seemed to squander several opportunities, particularly at the start of the second half when they applied significant pressure.
Team News
Everton reverted to the starting lineup that had played in the Merseyside derby, making seven changes from their midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Wolves. On the other hand, Nuno's first West Ham lineup included Soungoutou Magassa and Niclas Fullkrug, while James Ward-Prowse, a regular starter under Potter, was surprisingly left out of the squad altogether.
Despite their dominance in the second half, West Ham was unable to convert their chances into goals, but Nuno's tenure began on a positive note with this draw.
Looking Ahead
Nuno will face a significant challenge next as he prepares his team to take on Arsenal, known for their prowess in set pieces. If West Ham hopes to climb out of the relegation zone, they must address their defensive issues before this crucial match.
A Persistent Problem for West Ham
Sky Sports' Peter Smith pointed out that Everton's opening goal came from their very first corner, a situation that felt almost inevitable given West Ham's ongoing struggles with defending set pieces. This has been a recurring theme during Potter's tenure, and it is now a pressing issue for Nuno to resolve.
The goal resulted from a second phase of the corner, where Alphonse Areola failed to clear the initial delivery effectively. West Ham's defense did not push out far enough, allowing Everton to regroup and create another crossing opportunity, which Keane capitalized on with ease, having been given too much space by Mavropanos.
Throughout the match, Everton delivered a total of 22 crosses, and West Ham's defense appeared shaky in many of those situations. As the Premier League season progresses, where set pieces are becoming increasingly vital, it is clear that Nuno's focus in training must be on improving this aspect of their game.
Nuno's Reflections
After the match, Nuno Espirito Santo shared his thoughts with Sky Sports, stating, "We have to learn so many things. It was a tough game, but the team's reaction was commendable. There are positives and negatives to analyze. Our main message was to compete as a cohesive unit and stay close to one another. It was a good first game for us.
In the goal we conceded, we should have been more aggressive and closer to Keane. However, in the second half, we improved defensively, and that is where everything begins. Progress will come naturally as we take the right steps forward."
Moyes' Disappointment
On the other side, Everton's head coach David Moyes expressed his disappointment in not securing all three points, stating, "It's frustrating not to take full advantage at home. We had opportunities to push for a second goal but left ourselves vulnerable to counterattacks. Our decision-making in the final third was lacking; we needed to make the right passes or crosses to finish the job. We controlled the game and scored a good goal, but we couldn't find a way to add a second."
Match Statistics and Future Fixtures
As the Premier League continues, both teams will be looking to improve their standings. Everton and West Ham will need to address their respective issues if they hope to achieve their goals this season.
What do you think about West Ham's defensive struggles? Is Nuno the right man to turn things around? Share your thoughts in the comments!
