All square as West Ham and Everton fail to break each other down

Amongst protest and fan unrest, West Ham needed three points against Everton. With Ancelotti’s men headed to the London Stadium, David Moyes would have to motivate what’s left of his squad to get the win.

The team selection came in, and so too did questions about West Ham’s depth. It was clear in this match that if the Hammers lose it won’t be on the back of David Moyes, but rather the lack of options he had at his disposal. Two academy players, six defenders, and one forward – not an exciting bunch to say the least.

Moyes did start and stick with a 4-4-2 formation in this game, suggesting he didn’t love what he saw from his team at Bramall Lane with a haphazardly constructed 5-3-2 failing to impress. Letting the players dictate the team is much better from Moyes and is something we can hope is built upon.

The first half saw goals from both sides nearing its end, but up until Issa Diop‘s setpiece header, was a peculiar affair. West Ham pressed very high and it helped hem in the Toffees. The Hammers would get the better chances but Everton held onto the ball more. Overall, Moyes’ men were the better team.

Diop’s aforementioned goal came off of a Robert Snodgrass set piece that was beautifully taken. The right midfielder caught the ball perfectly, and Diop’s delayed run saw him catch the arcing pass, which the French defender pelted in off the far post. It was a beautiful goal from a dead ball and the Hammers had their lead in the 40th minute.

In heartbreaking fashion, Everton would equalize just before the half. A corner kick that was met a the front post by Mason Holgate popped the ball over to Domenic Calvert-Lewin whose free header was converted from a foot out from the goal in the 44th minute.

The second half would start and finish with West Ham picking up more possession than Everton, and putting more shots on goal than them as well. Seven shots, six on goal would make sure Jordan Pickford was sharp, never more so than on Pablo Fornals‘ header which he palmed away. A late surge from the Hammers, thanks to Manuel Lanzini‘s sub for Albian Ajeti, would see the pressure mount but no breakthrough was found.

With the points shared, the questions return to the squad picked by Moyes, or should we say the squad provided to him by the owners. It’s January and the last opportunity West Ham have to up their squad’s depth before this relegation battle boils down. A point against Everton is good, but a deeper squad could have produced more.