West Ham United earned a valuable point in a 1-1 draw against Everton on Monday, September 29, 2025. This marked the debut of new Hammers boss Nuno Espírito Santo, who was appointed just days earlier following the sacking of Graham Potter. Jarrod Bowen's second-half equalizer canceled out Michael Keane's early header, ensuring West Ham avoided defeat in what was a tense and tactical match.
In the 18th minute, the Toffees took the lead when Keane rose highest to power home a header from a half-cleared corner, marking the first competitive goal conceded at their gleaming new venue. West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola had already been called into action earlier, denying Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as Everton pressed for an early advantage.
West Ham, languishing near the bottom of the table with just three points from their opening five games, struggled to find rhythm in the first half. Nuno's side, Niclas Füllkrug and Crysencio Summerville, looked disjointed at times, with defensive vulnerabilities exposed—particularly from set-pieces, where they've conceded a league-high eight goals from corners this season.
Second half saved West Ham
However, the Hammers showed resilience after the break, growing into the game as Nuno's tactical tweaks began to take effect.
The turning point came in the 65th minute. Full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf burst down the left flank and delivered a low cross into the box. Bowen, West Ham's captain and talisman, met it with a first-time shot that took a deflection off Keane—ironically the Everton scorer—before nestling into the net.
The goal not only leveled the scores but also made Bowen the first visiting player to score at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, extending his impressive run to 11 goal involvements in his last 12 league outings.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages. Areola produced a stunning save to deny Everton's Beto late on, while Summerville and Bowen threatened on the counter for West Ham. Surprising Nuno went to little used substitutes Luis Guilherme and Freddie Potts who added fresh legs, but neither team could find the breakthrough, resulting in a share of the spoils.
Player performances highlighted the match's intensity. For West Ham, Summerville earned points with a standout display, rated a 9/10 for his creativity and threat on the wing. Diouf impressed with an 8/10, while Bowen (7/10) delivered the crucial moment.
On the downside, Konstantinos Mavropanos (5/10) and Amadou Magassa, struggled at times. For Everton, Keane's goal and defensive work stood out, but the team missed too many opportunities in the second half.
Post-match, Nuno Espírito Santo reflected on his whirlwind start: "It's only been three days. Jarrod can always produce a moment of magic." He praised his team's character in coming back from a goal down and emphasized the need to build a clear identity moving forward. Everton manager David Moyes, facing his former club, expressed frustration: "We needed a second goal. It's two points dropped in an insipid second half."
The result leaves West Ham in 19th place with four points, still in the relegation battle, but with a glimmer of hope under Nuno. Everton climb to ninth with eight points, though their winless run now stretches to four games. West Ham's next test is a daunting London derby against Arsenal, while Everton host Crystal Palace.
In a season already full of twists, this draw could prove pivotal for both sides' campaigns.