West Ham were left frustrated after being held to a goalless draw by Everton at the London Stadium, despite dominating the second half. The Hammers missed a series of clear-cut opportunities to secure a third consecutive Premier League win at home, with the pressure mounting on manager Julen Lopetegui.
The best chance of the game fell to West Ham substitute Crysencio Summerville, whose powerful shot cannoned off the inside of the post after being released by Lucas Paqueta. Danny Ings, another substitute, saw his attempt saved by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who produced a truly remarkable save to deny the same player again in stoppage time.
Everton, on the other hand, had the better of the first half, with Summerville making a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny a certain goal from Abdoulaye Doucoure. Lukasz Fabianski, the West Ham goalkeeper, also made a fine save to tip over a header from Jesper Lindstrom.
The draw leaves Everton in 16th place on 10 points, while West Ham sit two places above them with two points more.
Despite the Hammers’ dominance in the second half, the result will only serve to increase the pressure on Lopetegui, whose side is still struggling to find consistency. The 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend left them floundering in the bottom half of the table, just six points above the relegation zone.
The performance, which failed to truly ignite until the closing stages, will do little to alleviate the concerns surrounding the club. Although West Ham are understood to have no immediate plans to change managers, the lack of progress under Lopetegui remains a cause for concern.
The game was a tale of two halves. Everton, looking to build on their recent positive results, started brightly and had the better of the opening period. However, West Ham improved dramatically in the second half, creating a number of clear-cut opportunities that they ultimately failed to capitalize on.
Pickford, the Everton goalkeeper, was undoubtedly the difference-maker in the game. His numerous saves, particularly in the latter stages of the match, ensured that his team came away with a valuable point.
West Ham will need to find a way to turn their dominance into goals if they are to improve their league position and ease the pressure on Lopetegui. The next international break will give him an opportunity to reflect on the team’s performance and hopefully, implement some changes that will lead to a change in fortunes.
