Dominic Calvert-Lewin second-half strike fires Everton to narrow win at West Ham on landmark day
Everton celebrated their 1200th game in the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over West Ham United thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's 50th Premier League goal, moving them further away from the relegation zone.
Calvert-Lewin scored in the 51st minute, turning on the edge of the box and firing low into the corner, the ball skipping off the wet London Stadium pitch to beat Alphonse Areola in goal.
Everton move up to 15th in the table with 10 points from 10 games, five points clear of the relegation zone, while West Ham are ninth with 14 points after losing three games in a row in all competitions.
Everton had the better chances in the game, with West Ham's best chances falling to Jarrod Bowen, who missed the target on both occasions.
Everton conceded possession but defended tenaciously, with Jarrad Branthwaite outstanding at centre-back and Amadou Onana a force in midfield.
West Ham looked flat at times after losing 2-1 to Olympiakos in Greece on Thursday, and were sloppy in possession, only coming to life in the final 20 minutes as they desperately sought an equalizer.
Bowen could have given them the lead midway through the first half after being superbly set up by Lucas Paqueta, but he scuffed his shot wide.
Jack Harrison let slip a huge opportunity during an Everton three-on-one break. He chose to shoot with Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure on either side of him, but his effort was weak and straight at goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Bowen then headed over the crossbar from a free kick, and Everton were ahead three minutes later.
Branthwaite won the ball with a crunching tackle and swept it forward before a one-two between Harrison and Calvert-Lewin saw the latter turn brilliantly on the edge of the box, take a touch, and fire low into the net.
Areola made a fantastic save to deny Doucoure before Everton had to defend for the remaining 30 minutes as West Ham failed to score for the first time this season.
SportsLigue