MATCH REPORT : WEST HAM UNITED 1-1 EVERTON

This game marked the 10-year anniversary of David Sullivan and David Gold buying West Ham United and the game rather reflected their ten year tenure so far. There was no spark in the stands or on the pitch, merely a sense of sitting back and enduring what was served up in front of a crowd of 60k. West Ham’s supporters have lost faith in Sullivan and Gold’s ability to lift this unhappy club to the next level and in fact, around 900 fans staged a protest earlier in the day at their unhappiness over the way the club is being run.

The game started at a slow pace and Everton, their attacking edge blunted by the absence of Richarlison, were guilty of giving the ball away without being under pressure. Everton were fortunate not to go behind when Lucas Digne’s hesitated instead of playing a simple pass and that allowed Mark Noble to release Sébastien Haller, whose low shot was saved well by the feet of Jordan Pickford.

In a half that offered very little else apart from a flicked Haller header, West Ham took the lead in the 40th minute. Robert Snodgrass whipped in a free-kick from the right and Issa Diop, got across Moise Kean to glance a header into the far corner of Pickford’s net. It was no more than the Hammers deserved.

The goal woke the visitors up and Digne, whose overlapping runs were a threat all day for West Ham, found Theo Walcott with a good cross but he failed to trouble the returning Darren Randolph with a poorly executed volley.

However, a couple of minutes later Everton drew level. There were 44 minutes on the clock when Everton equalised thanks to a great delivery from Digne, Mason Holgate flicked it on  and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, scored his 11th goal of the season with a close range header.

West Ham almost regained their lead immediately, Pickford brilliantly denied a Pablo Fornals header right on half time.

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti tweaked his side at half-time with Anthony Gordon replacing Bernard and Everton turned in a much improved second half display. Digne fired over before Walcott wasted a chance to give Calvert-Lewin a simple tap-in.

Calvert-Lewin again was furious with Walcott who failed to find him when well placed. Gordon fired a chance over as Everton went for the win but to no avail.

Albian Ajeti’s only contribution after coming on as a substitute was forcing VAR to check if he deserved a red card following a clash with Holgate. He did but somehow VAR decided against Everton yet again.

Final Score : West Ham United 1-1 Everton

How they lined up : 

Barry Cass