Everton 1-1 West Ham: Match Report & Instant Reaction | Late O'Brien equalizer keeps streak alive

Yesterday at 01:57 PM

Alcaraz shines but his role needs to be better defined

When David Moyes left West Ham he commented on the fact that their fans might have liked the personalities of some other managers before him but what could not be argued was that he was the manager who had won something. After his departure, his successor Julen Lopetegui was sacked and they are now being led by Graham Potter.

Today, Moyes had to be seeing this match as a chance to make a statement and keep Everton ahead of the Hammers in the table.

Team News

The lineups were good reading for Evertonians with David Moyes being able to pick a completely senior squad on the bench and only one goalie. David Moyes opted to make one change from the side that was held by Wolves, as Charly Alcaraz was in for Jesper Lindstrom. Armanda Broja was back and took his place on the bench alongside Youssef Chermiti.

West Hammade three changes following their 1-0 defeat by Newcastle. Lucas Paqueta started along with Konstantinos Mavropanos and Emerson. Aaron Cresswell, Oli Scarles and Edson Alvarez dropped out.

Match Report

Darren Bond was the man in the middle as the whistle blew to get the match underway with Everton kicking towards the Park End. An early VAR check for a potential foul on Beto was quickly dismissed. The high press was being used by Everton in the early stages.

Everton started to control the play and a nice ball into the box was nicely controlled by Harrison who required Soucek to block the shot that was goal bound. West Ham were struggling to get out with the Everton pressure working nicely. West Ham finally got the ball under control in the Everton half and it earned them a corner which was delivered by Ward-Prowse and met by Branthwaite but Pickford made a worldy of a save.

Everton tried to reassert themselves and Beto drew a foul on the edge of the box but Harrison's delivery was woeful. The teams traded possession but it was a long throw from O'Brien was met by Beto but his header went over the bar. Seconds later, a delivery from Alcaraz also ended up just over the bar from Beto.

A surprising run down the left side by Max Kilman was delivered into Bowen on the edge of the box. Some nice control allowed him to volley a shot goalward and it was Pickford again who needed to make a good save to prevent a goal.

Jake O'Brien decided to take a pop from the corner of the box which forced a fine save from Areola. The resulting corner from Garner was overhit and another chance went begging. Garner and Alcaraz were very fluid in attack with Garner going left and Alcaraz moving to the middle.

The half looked like it was going to fade into oblivion until Doucoure slid a ball into Beto. The big Portuguese striker turned and was then on the ground with the referee pointing to the spot. It looked soft and when VAR took a look it was Beto kicking the ground before he fell so the penalty was taken away and the half ended with no score.

No changes at half time for either team as the Hammers kicked off. West Ham were on the front foot from the off. An unnecessary foul from Tarkowski gave Ward-Prowse another chance to deliver but the free kick was well defended.

The action was end to end but the final pass was missing for both teams. The Goodison crowd tried to lift the team. West Ham strung together a few passes which ended with Bowen attempting an overhead kick but his own hand stopped the shot.

A nice breakout from Everton was their first real attacking moment of the half after almost 13 minutes led nowhere. Changes were needed for both teams but neither manager had any players warming up.

Before that change was made, Beto was trying an overhead kick which was the first time Everton had the ball in the West Ham penalty area. Everton's pace picked up and the high press was back in place.

The game was turned on its head when Jarrod Bowen drove forward and he dilivered it into a wide open Soucek who passed the ball into the corner past a sprawling Pickford.

Ten minutes too late, it was Moyes who emoved the ineffective Doucoure and brought on Lindstrom which then allowed Alcaraz to move into the middle. West Ham drove forward to kill off the match with Bowen forcing a save from Pickford.

A corner for Everton was taken by Harrison and a series of headers kept the play alive and Harrison eventually had a blistering volley from Harrison blocked by Emerson. A free kick by Garner was delivered into the West Ham box but Areola was there to punch the ball clear.

Moyes saw the need to throw the kitchen sink at the Hammers and brought on Chermiti, Broja and Iroegbunam with Beto, Harrison and Garner going off. With ten minutes to go, Everton drove forward and Paqueta was given a yellow card for a foul on Lindstrom. West Ham made another change with Paqueta being withdrawn with Soler replacing him.

Everton were pushing for the equalizer and when Chermiti met a corner, there must have been 20 West Ham players in the way of the shot. Seconds later, Chermiti was given a yellow card for a foul on Soler.

Four minutes of added time was announced as Everton was given another corner which Alcaraz delivered but easily cleared. Seconds later, Chermiti forced a great save from Areola and when Alcaraz got onto the rebound, he crossed the ball to Gueye who volleyed the ball into the middle and it was Jake O'Brien who met it with a thumping header to tie the game.

Goodison erupted and West Ham were wobbling as Everton piled forward. Alcaraz pounced on a deflected header by Iroegbunam but his shot went narrowly wide of the post. The chances dried up and the match ended with in a draw which was just about the right result.

Everton Man of the Match: Carlos Alcaraz - A first start at Goodison could have been magical but starting out on the left made it difficult for him to get into the match in a meaningful way. Once Doucoure was withdrawn, the Argentine took control and delivered a cross of real quality that led to the equalizer. Idrissa Gueye continues to do the business game in and game out. His role is clear. If that clarity was as clear for Alcaraz, who knows what he can accomplish.

Instant Reaction

Another point for the Blues which puts them level on points with Manchester United, Tottenham and West Ham. This is a fourth draw on the trot for Everton and it has to be said that the streak is alive but the goals have dried up a bit from the swashbuckling games last month. The FA Cup break and the upcoming international break has broken the rhythm of the team. Hopefully, the break will allow more players to return although the upcoming fixture list is daunting.

Carlos Alcaraz made his first start at Goodison Park after making a difference coming off the bench last week. He replaced Jesper Lindstrom and it was interesting to see where Alcaraz fitted into the setup. Unfortunately, he was put out wide and was ineffective until there were twenty minutes left and Doucoure was removed. With more attacking players being available, giving Alcaraz the chance to start in the middle of the pitch ahead of Doucoure has to happen after the international break.

The omission of Jared Branthwaite from the senior England squad was a bit of a travesty but Moyes has challenged the young defender by saying, " "If you're looking at the last six/seven weeks, he's up there with any other English centre-back in the country," Moyes said. The big thing he needs to do is play for the under 21s and be the best player again. Then he'll get selected for the big team, so that's the instructions I would be giving him." Today, the big centre back showed a strength of character and his work alongside Tarkowski showed that a call-up to the senior squad is inevitable.

It was so great to see David Moyes get the accolades from the West Ham fans and their players at the end of the match. He is a class act and that can never be taken away from him. Also, he is ours!!!