Soucek pounces to leave West Ham unbeaten all year

Everton 0 West Ham 1

The New Year begins with very little luck for the Hammers. First Ryan Fredericks is absent with Covid-19 and then Lucasz Fabianski is injured in the warm-up. 

Luckily for Darren Randolph the first half is a tepid affair with the sub goalie not being tested until Bernard's shot in the 44th minute. Both sides largely cancel each other out and the Hammers' only real effort is a Cresswell cross that is fired across the six-yard box. What is evident though is how well-coached West Ham now are at getting behind the ball and making the side hard to break down. Even Benrahma is working hard defensively.

With Richarlison nullified and Calvert-Lewin isolated the Irons start with greater attacking purpose in the second half and create a few chances. Declan Rice sends a great ball across the box that is just beyond Haller. Antonio comes on for the last 30 minutes and the Hammers instantly look more mobile up front. Cresswell whips in a free-kick that Pickford has to tip away and then Fornals fails to connect properly with a free header after being set up by Bowen. 

SALAD DAZE FOR EVERTON

Moyes makes a further two attacking substitutions by bringing on Yarmolenko and Lanzini on 73 minutes. Yarmolenko might lack speed, but he changes the game in the 86th minute with a clever pass inside to Soucek, who fires an instant snapshot against Pickford. The ball rebounds to Cresswell on the edge of the box whose shot is going well wide until the alert Soucek pokes it home. 

It's a nervous end to the game but Ogbonna, who has been magnificent throughout, continues to head every attack away and credit to his partner Dawson too for another solid game. The whistle blows and it's a great result at a ground we seemingly never win at. A great effort from the players in their third game since Christmas. 

In the after-match interview Tomas Soucek reveals that he would normally be eating potato salad at Christmas for three weeks, but is now looking forward to four days' off and a chance to revive his salad days. We're now tenth and just three points off third place. With home games to come against Burnley and West Brom there's now a chance to make real progress.