TNT Sports
West Ham 0-1 Everton: Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s second-half strike gives Sean Dyche’s side narrow victory over Hammers
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Published 29/10/2023 at 13:54 GMT
It’s back-to-back defeats for West Ham in all competitions as after their disappointing UEFA Europa League loss at Olympiacos in midweek, they were unable to prevent themselves sliding to a narrow home defeat to struggling Everton. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the difference-maker for the Toffees, who recorded just their third Premier League win of the campaign so far.
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A moment of quality from Dominic Calvert-Lewin helped Everton to all three points against West Ham at the London Stadium.
The away side showed spark and made the most of limited opportunities, while a lack of quality at the top of the pitch, and sloppiness in the middle and the back cost David Moyes’ side.
Despite beginning the game in lively fashion, the home side were unable to produce anything from their extended early spell of possession.
The match soon settled into stasis, as Everton’s midfield and defence had the measure of the Hammers’ flair players.
They gave the ball away too often, too easily and were largely stationed too far from the Everton box. In contrast Everton, despite having less of the ball, looked more comfortable when in possession.
Calvert-Lewin found himself in good positions and was able to threaten the West Ham goal on a few occasions. Neither team came close to breaking the deadlock before half-time, in a first 45 that didn’t give either side's fans much reason to get excited.
West Ham showed little more imagination in the second half than they did the first, while Everton looked increasingly comfortable.
And it was they who broke the deadlock six minutes into the half thanks to some brilliance from Calvert-Lewin.
The striker received a pass from Dwight McNeil, took out two defenders with a graceful turn, and tucked a pinpoint shot into the corner past the desperate dive of Alphonse Areola.
West Ham's players grew increasingly frustrated and picked up several yellow cards, and saw no solid chances for the remaining minutes.
Sean Dyche can be happy with his players' performances, Moyes will surely have something stern to say to his. The result moves Everton up to 15th place in the Premier League.
Talking Point - Hammers losing their way? Toffees finding theirs?
West Ham fans will be wondering how they could have such an abundance of creative capacity, yet have less to show for it than a more back-to-basics Everton side. Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus, Jarod Bowen - Everton had no trouble keeping all three contained, while the West Ham defence and midfield didn’t help themselves by giving the ball away so easily before the fuse of a chance could even be lit.
David Moyes’ side, which started the season so well, have now lost three in a week and it looks like something needs to change. Sean Dyche, in contrast, has done something different at Goodison lately. Through simplicity, his squad is starting to gel.
Player of the Match - Dominic Calvert-Lewin
For his sublime winning goal, for one, but more for his positional play throughout the game. There’s always a lot of pressure on a lone striker, who has to give his supply players confidence that he will make those moments count. Calvert-Lewin not only made magic from one such opportunity, but looked like he could deliver more. He surely will in the games to come.
Player ratings
WEST HAM: Areola 7; Coufal 4, Zouma 4, Aguerd 5, Cresswell 4, Ward-Prowse 4, Alvarez 5, Kudus 5, Paqueta 6, Bowen 6, Antonio 5. Subs: Benrahma 6, Soucek 5, Ings 5
EVERTON: Pickford 7, Mykolenko 7, Tarkowsk 7, Branthwaite 6, Patterson 7, Onana 6, Garner 7, Doucoure 6, Harrison 7, McNeil 7, Calvert-Lewin 8. Subs: Chermiti 6
Match highlights
22’ - Chance for West Ham! Paqueta finds Jarrod Bowen with a sublime ball, but Bowen scuffs it with his left foot. Ought to have done better.
24’ - Chance for Everton! The away side break with three attackers against two defenders. Jack Harrison decides to shoot from the edge of the box, and it's comfortable for Areola.
51’ - GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Everton Deadlock broken. Deliciously tucked in from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He received a short pass from Dwight McNeil on the edge of the box, beat Zouma and Aguerd with a deft turn before tucking it into the corner past the West Ham keeper.
90’ - Chance for West Ham! That was what West Ham needed. Benrahma connects to a Lucas Paqueta cross with a solid effort, forces Jordan Pickford to be the equal to it with the gloves.
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