TOMAS SOUCEK struck 4 minutes from time to earn West Ham the win and severely expose Everton’s claims to be prime 4 contenders.
Midfielder Soucek touched residence because the Toffees defence had been caught on the heels to safe gritty win for David Moyes in opposition to his former membership for the primary crew since he left Goodison Park.
Tomas Soucek scored a late winner for West Ham at EvertonCredit score: AP:Related Press
West Ham rejoice their last-gasp win at Goodison ParkCredit score: EPA
It was the sort of end result and efficiency from the Hammers which reveals simply how a lot they’ve moved on underneath the steerage of the Scot.
However for Everton, it brutally displayed simply how missing they’re in comparison with their rivals of their declared ambition to qualify for the Champions League.
There will be no excuses of fatigue after the festive period, courtesy of their cancelled recreation in opposition to Manchester Metropolis.
This was only a stunning show from a facet which reveals how missing in high quality they’re when James Rodriguez and Andre Gomes should not within the facet.
It’s alright counting on the objectives of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, however now his objectives have dried up there may be no-one else stepping as much as take accountability.
Recent from per week’s break, Everton had been anticipated to exit and set in regards to the Hammers from the off – particularly when the guests suffered a serious blow earlier than a ball had even been kicked.
Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianksi, such an vital participant for them, suffered an harm within the heat up and Darren Randolph was known as in at quick discover to make his first league begin of the season.
However placing it mildly, the Toffees had been a serious disappointment. Put one other manner, they had been appalling.
Pablo Fornals has a header at purpose for West HamCredit score: AFP
David Moyes returned to Everton as supervisor of West HamCredit score: AFP
There was nothing on supply from a facet boasting the most effective a part of £100million in artistic signings within the form of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison because the Hammers loved a far simpler problem than they little doubt would have anticipated.
Everton merely had no clue find out how to open up the nicely organised unit David Moyes had put out in opposition to them, and solely within the last minute of a turgid opening half did they actually take a look at back-up keeper Randolph for the primary time.
A nook was half-cleared to the ft of Bernard who fired in a dipping volley which the Republic of Eire worldwide simply turned across the put up.
Not that the Hammers had been a lot better, although in equity with simply three days since their draw at Southampton they maybe had extra of an excuse.
Now not are the boys from the East Finish a pushover for anybody, although organisation and dedication has at occasions come at the price of aptitude and creativity.
The difficulty for the guests in an attacking sense was they may as nicely have been enjoying with ten males, such was the dearth of affect from their toiling striker Sebastien Haller.
Seamus Coleman and West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph collideCredit score: AFP
Bernard goes down holding his leg in a painful secondCredit score: Ian Hodgson – Every day Mail
Absolute banger of a scissor kick apart, Haller has been an abject disappointment given an prolonged run within the facet with Michail Antonio injured for the previous two months.
At £45m, Moyes and the Hammers have a proper to anticipate extra and there comes a time when you must say the ahead may simply not be adequate.
The Scot has been counting down the times till Antonio received again, and although there are nonetheless considerations his hamstrings should not fairly prepared, by the 58th minute there was no possibility however to throw him on rather than the abject Haller.
No less than by that point the match had proven glints of stirring into life, extra notably within the form of West Ham than the house crew.
Declan Rice was the primary to trigger unrest within the residence defence with a depraved low cross from the left which was begging to be touched residence however Haller was too sluggish to attempt to take benefit.
Aaron Cresswell then whipped in a free-kick which Jordan Pickford parried away with ease, then Pablo Fornals examined the keeper from 25-yards.
Seamus Coleman then shot low at Randolph in a uncommon foray ahead from the house facet, and even the introduction of Andre Gomes and James Rodriguez didn’t spark them into life.
Of the 2 sides who appeared the almost certainly to interrupt the impasse it was West Ham, and 4 minutes from time they lastly got here up trumps.
Soucek had seen his preliminary present crushed away by Pickford, however the Czech was the one man on the transfer to react and switch into the web as Cresswell’s comply with up shot deflected off Yerry Mina.