Jordan Pickford was left absolutely furious as an Angelo Ogbonna header for was enough for a 1-0 West Ham win, inflicting Rafael Benitez’ first home defeat as Everton boss.
Both sides looked toothless upfront with Everton missing Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, whilst West Ham’s Said Benrahma and Michail Antonio had clearly left their shooting boots at home.
Pickford was left fuming at the corner, but was soon at fault as the ball found the back of the net
Pickford was criticised for his role in the goal
An offside Tomas Soucek thought he’d given the Hammers the lead in a first half high on chances, but low on finishing quality.
The second 45 saw a period of Everton dominance, but West Ham soon looked comfortable again playing away from home, before winning a corner with 15 minutes to go.
England No.1 Pickford was left fuming by the decision, arguing the ball came off Antonio, but seconds later he was in all sorts of trouble as Jarrod Bowen fired in a sublime corner kick straight onto the head of Ogbonna.
The Italian out jumped Ben Godfrey, leaving a flailing Pickford in no man’s land as David Moyes’ side claimed a huge three points in their first back-to-back away wins over Everton.
West Ham climbed to sixth thanks to the win
talkSPORT pundit Perry Groves was critical of Pickford’s handling of the set piece saying: “I don’t actually know where Pickford is going.
“He makes a decision to come to the near and get involved and he shouldn’t have got involved.
“It’s a great delivery. You’ve got to make sure you defend it better at the near post.
“Jordan Pickford found himself in no man’s land and is running to the referee to deflect from his bad decision.
“I hate when players moan about a bad decision. You can’t do anything about it, defend the corner. You attack the ball and the Everton centre-half didn’t do it.”
West Ham star man Tomas Soucek was left with a bloodied face after a boot to the face from Rondon
West Ham took the game to Everton in the first half as Declan Rice ran the show, but the Hammers clearly lacked a finishing touch, with Antonio, Benrahma, Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen all failing to trouble Pickford.
Everton nearly punished West Ham’s failure to capitalise, with Alex Iwobi somehow missing a tap-in from a Demarai Gray cross.
Iwobi won’t have won over any Everton fans with a wasteful display
The Toffees soon troubled again, with Alex Iwobi crafting space on the left, before firing a troubling cross that just missed Salomon Rondon, with Demarai Gray running in at the far-post for a tap-in.
David Moyes’ side regained their composure, and looked to have taken the lead when Soucek tapped-in after Pickford spilled an effort from Bowen, but he was quickly called offside.