Everton have finally picked up a much-needed victory in their Premier League campaign as they secured a 1-0 victory of West Ham at the London Stadium. A solitary goal by Calvert-Lewin in the second half helped the visitors to seal a crucial win and move to the 15th spot, safely away from relegation!
West Ham United came into this fixture having won just one of their last five in the top flight, but they still sit 9th in the rankings. On the other hand, Everton are on the 17th spot, just barely outside relegation.
Ahead of kick-off, respects were paid to England football legend Sir Bobby Charlton along with Boll Kenwright, former chairman of Everton football club, who both recently passed away last week.
The game kicked off with West Ham rolling the ball and gaining immediate possession. Both sides worked hard as teh action kept going back and forth, but either sides failed to convert any opportunity they had. The first half produced nothing and ended goalless for both teams.
About six minutes into the second half, Harrison cut the play short and found Calvert-Lewin on the boundary. He ducked well out of the path of Zouma and Aguerd, then curled a crisp first-time effort back across goal. It rolled into the corner, beating the diving Areola. At 51 minutes, Everton were finally leading 1-0 and Calvert-Lewin got his 50th Premier League goal for Everton.
While England keeper Jordan Pickford superbly turned away substitute Said Benrahma’s strong effort right at the end of the game to clinch the Toffees an emotional win, Hammers keeper Alphonse Areola expertly denied Abdoulaye Doucoure to keep his team in the game. This was a perfect tribute by Everton to their deceased beloved chairman. The side were playing in their first match since Kenwright’s death.
It is quite amusing that while Everton walked away with the win, it was actually the West Ham site who were the more dominant side in the match, maintaining almost 65% possession of the ball and crossing over 600 passes. Everton just found the right opening at the right time to break through and get the winning goal.
While the victory has allowed Everton to crawl up two steps to the 15th spot with 10 points from 10 games, they still need to get more victories as they are barely three ranks safe off the relegation zone. West Ham United on the other hand, despite facing their second straight defeat, maintain their 9th place with 14 points, trailing Manchester City by one point and leading Brenford by one.
