West Ham 2-1 Everton: What We Learned

West Ham 2-1 Everton: What We Learned (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) Another game, another last-gasp defeat, and it may well be that this loss proves to be the end of Everton’s European hopes. This time it was West Ham who got the better of David Moyes’ men. There’s still four games to go, and still only three points separate Everton in 11th to Brighton in 6th, but the signs are not good — it would take an almighty turnaround now for the Toffees to finish in the Top 7, and even 8th place, which may be enough for Europa Conference League qualification, looks a stretch now.

Here’s three things we learned from the loss at London Stadium: EVERTON’S SET-PIECE DEFENDING IS AN ISSUE After a sticky patch earlier in the season in this regard, it seemed as though Everton had figured this out, especially with the return of Jarrad Branthwaite. Yet, in Branthwaite’s absence on Saturday, and without Beto, who usually occupies the near-post, Everton’s vulnerability from corners was once again exposed. Last week, Virgil van Dijk had the free header from 6 yards out.

This time, it was Tomas Soucek. It feels like we’ve seen the same goal happen time and time again this season — two against Tottenham in October, one against Newcastle United a month later, and Nathan Collins’s goal for Brentford in early January all spring to mind. Jordan Pickford is a brilliant goalkeeper but tends to stay on his line, and clearly this is a tactic too, so that means the defenders in front of him have to be fully switched on.

Once more, they weren’t, and it proved costly. A big area of improvement for next season. JAMES GARNER LOOKS LEGGY It has been a brilliant season for James Garner, who would be well worthy of a call-up for England’s World Cup squad.