Everton hosted West Ham at Goodison Park in a match that saw late drama. A Beto goal was cancelled out – before extra time saw the Hammers score two goals to earn them their second win in a row. The Toffees now face three consecutive away games as they are now in another relegation battle to end the season. These are the key takeaways from Everton’s defeat vs. West Ham.
Everton vs. West Ham: The Toffees Lose 3-1
Everton Fail To Make The Most Of Dominance vs. West Ham
Everton’s adversity to scoring goals once again comes back to bite them. Largely the better side for the 90 minutes of regulation, and failing to capitalise on that dominance ultimately cost them points. The Toffees generated 11 shots on target but could not find the back of the net outside of Beto’s 56th-minute goal.
Everton found themselves with 55% of the possession, territory that’s foreign to the squad. Early on, stray passes and heavy touches were a common theme for the side. After the break, they broke their own mould, creating from open play with a rather expansive game that saw shots firing at Hammers keeper Alphonse Areola.
But their finishing woes continued, a missed penalty and a goal-line clearance from Thomas Soucek were the best chances produced by the side outside their goal. These missed chances ultimately let West Ham stay in the game, and a brilliant finish from Soucek ultimately led to Everton seeing the points slip away.
Beto Has Earned Another Start
Beto started his first Premier League game this year and looked like the man Everton needed going forward. Despite missing a penalty – which he earned by attempting to cross the ball that inadvertently hit Kurt Zouma’s stray left arm, the Portuguese striker constantly created issues for the opposition defence.
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An early chance saw him get onto a Jack Harrison through ball – fired low and into the reach of Areola. His goal came after a superb James Garner cross that the former Udinese striker headed (maybe shouldered) into the back post.
His overall hold-up play and effort in the press are sure to get the attention of Sean Dyche. Those qualities are the reason Dominic Calvert-Lewin has stayed as the first-choice striker.
West Ham Are In European Contention
With this victory, the Hammers climb the table into 7th spot, a position likely to get into the European Conference League. But they face tough competition, there are four teams within six points, including Chelsea, with have a game in hand.
After a tough February, David Moyes’ side have won two games on the trot and could push into a Europa League spot as they are currently two points behind Manchester United who face cross-town rivals City on March 3.
They face a tough run home playing Liverpool (H), Chelsea (A) and Manchester City (A) in their final four games. Their next match against Burnley at home could prove to be crucial in separating themselves from the pack behind them.
