51 minWest Ham’s best chance. Yarmolenko’s cross from the right bounces nicely into the path of Fornals, who mishits a first-time shot wide of the far post from 15 yards.
(min) “You should have a butchers at the match thread in r / Hammers on reddit,” says Mark Lepine. “To say,‘ West Ham have been poor ’is an understatement in there.”
The internet: the worst thing to happen to society since [blank].
47 minRicharlison goes down holding his face after wearing the point of Diop’s elbow. It was accidental.
46 min: Richarlison has a goal disallowed for offside!It was the right decision, as he was well off; it was also a superb volleyed finish from Richarlison.
(min) Peep peep! West Ham have brought on Andriy Yarmolenko, which isn’t a surprise, and taken off Felipe Anderson, which is.
Half time: Everton 1-0 West Ham
Peep Peep!Evertondeservedly lead through Bernard’s unlikely goal, a reward for persistence and improvisation. The rejigged side, with Richarlison up front, have looked sharp on the counter-attack and could be further ahead. West Ham, who omitted Andriy Yarmolenko, have been poor.
3 minTom Davies is booked for something or other.
45 minThere will be three minutes of added time.
(min) “It seems to me that Marco Silva might be another managerial victim of Olivier Giroud’s failed transfer to Everton,” says Admir Pajic. “Neither Calvert-Lewin nor Kean are whatEvertonneed right now. Given that, today’s front line of four wingers capable of interchanging positions might be the last straw for Silva. As an Arsenal fan, I still recall how some of the finest Arsenal display’s in the last years of Wenger’s career – including 5-2 at Leicester, 3-0 over Man U and 3-0 over Chelsea – were made possible by Theo Walcott starting in a No.9 role or on the right wing with a mobile striker (Alexis) down the middle. Of course, he will never have qualities of a classic No.9 like Giroud but he still has pace and is a calm finisher. ”
(min) Felipe Anderson gets away from Mina, but then underhits his a cross / pass towards the unmarked Haller.
40 minRicharlison’s shot from the edge of the area is blocked, and Walcott scissor-kicks the loose ball wide. Richarlison had the best chance; he should have played in the overlapping Sidibe to his right.
(min) Walcott’s speculative, backheeled cross-shot is blocked by Masuaku. Walcott has been superb today, with an without the ball.
(min) Nothing much happening at the moment. West Ham have offered very little in attack.
33 minPickford makes a comfortable diving save from Fornals’ header. I think it would have been disallowed for offside anyway.
31 min“With regards to your confusion about Ian’s son…” begins James Chambers. “Everyone knows that BA ain’t getting’ on no plane, you crazy fool… I’d go with Toy Story 4.”
Crik ey, a shock scoreline: Pixar 1-0 Napoli.
30 minThere’s a break in play with Masuaku is treated for a bloody nose. He collided with Tom Davies.
27 min“Bernard is going to be good playing for Merseyside in the traditional Christmas five-a-side tournament at Earl’s Court,” says Gary Naylor.
You say that like it’s a… hang on, is it a good thing?
24 minIwobi’s long-range shot is held by Roberto. West Ham are being overrun at the moment.
22 min: Richarlison hits the post!That was really nice football from, Everton.Iwobi played him in with a lovely through pass down the side of the defense. Richarlison got between the center backs and drove a low first-time shot from a tight angle that hit the outside of the post. After a nervy start,Evertonhave been terrific in the last 10 minutes.
Updated
21 min“Greetings Rob,” says Ian Sargeant. “West Ham fan here. Halfway to new York with ba. Reliant on your good self and a dodgy wifi for updates whilst trying to stop my 14 yo from watching too much family guy. Trying to decide whether to watch toy story 4 or the Maradona film next. Can you run a poll till half time? ”
I think we all know what answer you’ll get. More importantly, I had to read your third sentence at least four times before I realized that ba wasn’t an affectionate name for your 14 – year-old.
19 minRicharlison almost makes it 2-0 on the break. He skinned Diop with elegant ease in the inside-left channel, moved into the area and then couldn’t decide whether to shoot or try to find Andre Gomes. In the end he tried to cut the ball back into the center, and Ogbonna put it behind for a corner.
It was made by the lively Walcott, who cut infield from the right and played a nice through pass to Bernard on the right side of the area. He decided not to shoot first time, which looked a poor decision, instead cutting back inside Masuaku. Then he wriggled back outside Masuaku and, from a very tight angle, poked the ball under the left armpit of the outrushing Roberto. It was poor goalkeeping from Roberto, who was beaten on theinside, but Bernard Won’t care.
Updated
GOAL! Everton 1-0 West Ham (Bernard 17)
Evertontake the lead with a peculiar solo goal from Bernard!
Updated
(minIt hasn’t been a great game so far.Evertonhave been the better side though.
8 min: Great save by Roberto!That corner led to another, this time on the left. It was flicked on at the near post and sidefooted towards goal on the volley by Davies, six yards out. It looked a certain goal, but Roberto dived to his left to shovel it away. On reflection, Davies should probably have scored – it wasn’t the cleanest connection, nor was it right in the corner – but it was still a brilliant save.
7 minFine play from Walcott. He controls a long ball on the edge of the area, spins outside and then back inside Ogbonna before hitting an early shot towards the far corner. Ogbonna dangles a leg to deflect it behind for a corner.
6 minEverton win the first corner of the match. Masuaku heads it clear, and that’s that.
4 min… and he curls it well wide.
3 minFelipe Anderson is fouled by Richarlison, 25 yards from goal. It’s slightly to the left of center, perfect for Lanzini …
2 minThe atmosphere is a wee bit muted . The first goal feels especially important today.
1 minPeep peep! West Ham, in their cracking clartet-and-blue kit, kick off from left to right.Evertonare in blue.
Team news
Everton (4-2-3-1)Pickford; Sidibe, Keane, Mina, Digne; Andre Gomes, Davies; Walcott, Iwobi, Bernard; Richarlison.
Substitutes: Lossl, Holgate, Baines, Sigurdsson, Baningime, Calvert-Lewin, Kean.
West Ham (4-1-4-1)Roberto; Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Masuaku; Rice; Fornals, Noble, Lanzini, Felipe Anderson; Haller.
Substitutes: Martin, Balbuena, Zabaleta, Snodgrass, Wilshere, Yarmolenko, Ajeti.
RefereePaul Tierney.
Updated (at 7.) 28 am EDT
Preamble
Ronald Koeman was sacked two years ago this weekend, after a 5-2 defeat at home to Arsenal left them in the relegation places. Koeman also had a promising first season and an unfathomably poor start to the second. Silva will hope the comparison ends there.
Kick off is at 12. 30 PM.
Updated (at 7.) am EDT
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