West Ham defeats wasteful Everton 3-1 thanks to two late goals.

Two late goals give the lead WestMOSCOW, March 3 — West Ham United overcame a wasteful Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday, thanks to goals in stoppage time from Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek. The result kept the home team in relegation danger, as supporters jeered them off.

Alphonse Areola, the West Ham goalkeeper, made an outstanding stop to deny a penalty kick in the first half, but Beto gave his team the lead in the 56th minute before Kurt Zouma pulled one back for the visitors.Ham defeats wasteful Everton 3-1

After a quick counterattack, Soucek’s incredible strike beyond Jordan Pickford gave Everton multiple chances to take the lead again. Alvarez then sealed the victory with his first Premier League goal.

Everton is in 16th place with 25 points, five above the relegation zone but having played two more games than Luton Town, who are in 18th place. This week, Everton received four points back after their appeal against a financial rule violation.

After 27 games, West Ham has 42 points, which puts them in sixth place.

“We need to assume responsibility, generate opportunities and play strong defense, but we fail to finish shots inside the goal,” James Tarkowski, an Everton defender, said to Premier League Productions.

“We need to score goals; we can’t just keep claiming their keeper has performed well. We disrupt opponents, win the ball back high, but we don’t win football games if we don’t score.
Everton has a little cushion between themselves and the bottom three, but they will see this as a lost opportunity because there will be another Profit and Sustainability (PSR) charge before the campaign is out.

Late in the first half, Beto’s attempted cross struck Zouma’s arm, but Areola stopped it with a diving save low to his left, giving the hosts their first penalty of the season.

Just over ten minutes after halftime, Beto was unmarked as he rose to head the ball into the net after James Garner sent in a brilliant deep cross from the right side.

Just beyond the hour, Zouma, a former Everton defender, headed in James Ward-Prowse’s corner to give West Ham an equalizer.

Before Everton was dealt a sucker punch by the visitors, Soucek cleared off the line for Abdoulaye Doucoure, who was a great opportunity for the visitors to score.

In order for Soucek to beat Pickford, the hosts allowed him too much space at the back post. Alvarez then completed a swift counterattack.

“A unique one, and among the best of my career.” Another victory for West Ham, made all the more memorable after such a difficult match, stated Soucek.

“Areola had a fantastic game, particularly with the penalty save. On the line, I also had one or two clearances. A fantastic match for the two of us. – News reports