West Ham secured a hard-earned point against Everton in Nuno Espírito Santo’s first game as head coach, with Jarrod Bowen’s superb second-half strike canceling out Michael Keane’s opener. Despite an early dominance from Everton, West Ham showed resilience, improving after the break and looking the more likely side to secure a win.
In his return to Premier League management, just 20 days after his sacking by Nottingham Forest, Nuno’s West Ham side started cautiously, initially finding themselves under pressure from a well-organized Everton team. The hosts controlled possession early on, with Beto and Iliman Ndiaye testing Alphonse Areola but failing to convert their chances. Everton eventually broke the deadlock through Keane’s header from James Garner’s inswinging cross, giving the home side a deserved lead.
West Ham, however, grew into the game after the break, adapting to Nuno’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Bowen proved to be a key figure, creating danger throughout the second half. After almost equalizing following a defensive mistake, Bowen finally found the net, demonstrating his quality with a sublime finish past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The goal was a testament to Bowen’s growing importance for West Ham, and his celebration in front of the away fans highlighted the significance of the moment.
Despite their second-half dominance, West Ham couldn’t find a winner. Everton struggled to regain their earlier intensity, and West Ham piled on the pressure, forcing multiple saves from Pickford and some last-ditch defending from the hosts. It was a missed opportunity for Nuno’s side to claim all three points, but the performance showed promise.
Nuno will be encouraged by his team’s response after the break, which highlighted his ability to inspire a reaction. However, the ongoing discontent among West Ham’s fans, directed at the club’s ownership, remains an issue that Nuno will need to address if he is to build stability at the club. Nevertheless, with this point, Nuno has laid down a foundation from which to build, and his journey as West Ham’s head coach is just beginning.
