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Late O’Brien header earns Everton draw at home to West Ham
West Ham United's Max Kilman (centre) clears the ball away from West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola (right) under pressure from Everton's Jack Harrison (left) during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool, March 15, 2025
Everton 1-1 West Ham
by James Nalton
at Goodison Park
DAVID MOYES’S Everton made it nine games unbeaten in the Premier League thanks to a last-gasp Jake O’Brien goal which earned a draw against West Ham on Saturday.
The visitors had taken the lead midway through the second half through Tomas Soucek.
The Czech midfielder found himself in a surprising amount of space in the Everton area, receiving a pass from Jarrod Bowen and placing his shot into the corner.
West Ham offered more in that second period, but Everton had been the slightly better team in the first.
It looked like they might get a chance from the penalty spot just before half-time when Max Kilman appeared to have caught Beto in the action of shooting.
However, replays showed the striker kicked the turf and the penalty was overturned after referee Darren Bond checked the pitch-side monitor.
Everton had to wait until added time to get their deserved equaliser; OBrien heading in a cross from Idrissa Gana Gueye.
The home side even had a chance to win it in the final minutes, but Carlos Alcaraz put his shot wide.
Moyes is highly regarded by both sets of fans, and had plenty of knowledge of Saturday’s opponents.
He had two spells as manager of West Ham between 2017 and 2024, winning the Europa Conference League in 2023.
“I know West Ham have a good team because I spent most of the money!” said Moyes after the game.
After the final whistle he received a warm reception from the travelling West Ham support, as well as from the home fans.
West Ham manager Graham Potter also spoke about the atmosphere in Goodison Park and the difficulties faced as an away team visiting the stadium.
“I have huge respect for the support here and as an away ground it's as tough as they come when the crowd gets up and at you,” said Potter.
Everton’s nine-game unbeaten run shows they are difficult to defeat home and away under Moyes, who was named manager of the month for February on the back of these results.
His team head into this break a comfortable distance from the relegation zone, and looking to the future.
Maybe in that West Ham team Moyes assembled, Everton fans saw a few of the kind of players they might like to see at their own club when they move into their new stadium next season.
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