Premier LeagueWest Ham United 0-1 Everton
Saturday, 28th October 2023
by James Haley
David Moyes' side fell to a third successive defeat as an ineffective Irons failed to break down a terrific Toffees defence.
The first chance of the game came when Lucas Paqueta chipped the ball over the top of the Everton defence for Jarrod Bowen, who couldn't quite get to the ball which was smothered by Jordan Pickford.Paqueta played the role of the creator, as he often does, for a second time as he flicked the ball over Nathan Patterson and played a low cross for Jarrod Bowen who scuffed his shot wide of the post. Early encouragement for the Hammers.
The theme of the game was West Ham having the ball in their own half. Zouma, Aguerd and Alphonse Areola passed the ball between each other a lot as they struggled to break out of the Everton press.
Yet West Ham were lucky not to concede when a miscommunication from Paqueta and Aguerd led to a three-on-one situation in favour of Everton. However, the shot from Jack Harrison was poor and Areola comfortably collected.
The highlight of the first half was what can only described as "handbags" when Mohamed Kudus was brought down by James Tarkowski, who looked to kick out a the Ghanaian. Nothing was given for Tarkowski, but Pickford and Kudus were both given yellow cards for their ensuing scuffle.
There was a bright start to the second half for West Ham as Bowen had two chances to break the deadlock. The first chance came when Jarrad Branthwaite blocked a curled effort and the second one when Aaron Cresswell found him at the back post, onlt for Bowen to head over.
The first and only goal came when Vladimir Coufal's clearance was intercepted by Branthwaite who found Calvert-Lewin. The forward played a one-two with Harrison and fired past French international Areola.
The Hammers tried to find a way back into the game, notably when Paqueta played a cross into the box which was cleared by Vitalii Mykolenko - but only as far as Jarrod Bowen who volleyed his shot over the bar.
Everton were unfortunate not to make it two when Calvert-Lewin drew out both Zouma and Aguerd before flicking the ball on for Abdoulaye Doucoure, whose half-volley was saved brilliantly from Areola.
Then came a series of chances for West Ham, the first coming from Kudus who smashed a shot straight into Pickford after a Paqueta volley.
West Ham were finding themselves in encouraging positions but failing to make their chances count. Kudus performed a good turn but there was no one to aim for with the cross. Aguerd joined the attack as he galloped into the final third and crossed the ball, which turned into a shot which had to be tipped over by Pickford.
The last major chance of the game when Paqueta floated a ball into Said Benrahma, who struck a well-timed volley towards Pickford's goal - but it was saved.
The game finished 0-1 with West Ham dominating possession but ultimately failing to break down a strong Everton defence.
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Alphonse AreolaDidn't really have much to do but made a good save for Doucoure?EUR(TM)s shot.
Vladimir Coufal
Poor crossing and generally looked uncomfortable on the ball.
Aaron Cresswell
Did well considering it's his first game back in the Premier League since 28 May.
Kurt Zouma
The partnership with him and Aguerd did not work today and Zouma's passing was too sideways and backwards.
Nayef Aguerd
Calvert-Lewin dominated him and again too many passes sideways or backwards.
Edson Alvarez
Was brought in to be a defensive midfielder but seems to be playing further forward than James Ward-Prowse. Kept shooting from long-range which wasn't helping in the attack.
James Ward-Prowse
Poor delivery from corners and also didn't make any passes which started an attack.
Mohammed Kudus
Some brilliant dribbles to start attacks. The ball just seems to stick to his feet.
Lucas Paqueta
Created our best chances of the game but was pretty poor on the ball, which is unlike him.
Jarrod Bowen
Tried very hard to create attacks but generally had no support. Should've done better with the header and the volley.
Michail Antonio
Didn't provide any impact on the game, had to drift out left to make up for the lack of a left winger.
Substitutes
Said Benrahma(Replaced Antonio 57) Slight improvement from the game mid-week but once again was poor in his decision making as he kept cutting back onto his right foot which allowed Everton to get back into shape.
Tomas Soucek
(Replaced Ward-Prowse 73) Made no impact on the game and passing was poor.
Danny Ings
(Replaced Cresswell 85) Again made no impact on the game apart from a poor cross in the dying embers of the game.
Lukasz Fabianski
Did not play.
Thilo Kehrer
Did not play.
Konstantonis Mavropanos
Did not play.
Angelo Ogbonna
Did not play.
Pablo Fornals
Did not play.
Maxwel Cornet
Did not play.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Alphonse Areola, Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell, Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd, Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio.Goals: None.
Booked: Mohammed Kudus 28 Lucas Paqueta 69 Said Benrahma 76 Edson Alvarez 83 .
Sent off: None.
Everton: Pickford, Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Garner, Doucouré, Onana, McNeil, Harrison, Calvert-Lewin (Chermiti 89).
Subs not used: Virgínia, Lonergan, Godfrey, Gueye, Hunt, Dobbin, Danjuma, Beto.
Goals: Calvert-Lewin (50).
Booked: Pickford (28).
Sent off: None.
Referee: Stuart Attwell.
Attendance: 62,469.
Man of the Match: Mohammed Kudus.