JAKE O’BRIEN rescued a point for Everton in stoppage time as David Moyes reminded his former employers of his managerial acumen.
Everton were minutes away from losing for the first time in nine Premier League meetings.
RexTomas Soucek opened the scoring for West Ham[/caption]
GettySoucek celebrates the Hammers’ opener[/caption]
ReutersJake O’Brien levelled for Everton[/caption]
ReutersThe points were shared[/caption]
West Ham’s Tomas Soucek – someone who owns his entire career in English football to the judgement of Moyes – had given the visitors the lead.
But just as it appeared the Hammers hierarchy might have the last laugh on Merseyside, their ex-manager was the one celebrating come full-time.
A late header by O’Brien ensured the Toffees would not be leapfrogged by West Ham in the table and they remain undefeated in the top flight since January 15.
Moyes, the Premier League manager of the month for February, received a warm reception from the visiting punters, an enormous thank you for guiding them to the Europa Conference League title in 2023.
And many West Ham players showed their immense gratitude by hugging the Scotsman on the pitch.
Two days ago, Thomas Tuchel picked four goalkeepers for his first England squad and perhaps, for the first time in his international career, Jordan Pickord will have to prove that he deserves the No.1 shirt.
There will be considerable competition for the 2026 World Cup finals and Pickford – who has 73 caps – cannot necessarily assume he will be the regular starter when the action kicks-off in Mexico City in 15 months’ time.
If Tuchel required any evidence that Pickford is as reliable as ever, and is among one of the best shot-stoppers around, then it came on 13 minutes.
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It was an outstanding piece of athleticism as he managed to react to his left to palm away the header from Jarrod Bowen, which had deflected off Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, following a James Ward-Prowse corner.
Another decent save, though not as spectacular, came 16 minutes later when he tipped over the shot from Bowen, the West Ham skipper, who had done a quick juggle with his ball control before unleashing his effort.
Though it should be acknowledged Pickford’s endeavours were made slightly harder by sunshine being in his eyes as the clouds had separated over Goodison Park.
Everton, who had tried to press constantly, offered little in the first except for a Beto header from 12 yards that flashed over.
And full-back O’Brien tried his luck with a low drive that West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola managed to block.
Minutes before half-time, Everton were awarded a penalty by referee Darren Bond when Beto went down in the area, sandwiched between Konstantinos Mavropanos and Max Kilman, following a lovely Cruyff turn.
Yet it was completely the wrong decision because he had not been fouled – the Guinea-Bissau front man had instead kicked the ground with his left foot.
This was a clear and obvious error by the official and VAR intervened, which is really why it is there, as a safety net.
Once Bond had reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor, he realised the error of his ways and overturned the original decision.
Toffees fans booed at half-time and chanted “you’re not fit to referee” but that was deeply unfair as the right call had been reached.
In the second half, Pickford was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers and denied Bowen on 62 minutes.
But Pickford could not do anything when Bowen cut inside and played in Soucek and after quickly adjusting his feet, the Czech midfielder scored with a right-footed curler on 67 minutes.
It is his sixth Premier League goal of the season and as important as he is to the Hammers, he is maybe underrated compared to his peers across the division.
No sooner had the 90th minute been reached that Carlos Alcaraz swung over a delivery which Idrissa Gueye acrobatically volleyed across the box.
And there was the Irish defender O’Brien, 23, in the right spot to score his second goal in three matches.
It could have been a grandstand finish for the home side – and Moyes – in this last season in this old ground but Alcaraz’s attempt went wide.
GettyMoyes took a point from his old side[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
