Key Takeaways
- Callum Wilson scored in the 92nd minute to earn West Ham a 2-1 victory over Everton.
- The win keeps West Ham two points clear of the drop zone with only a few matches left.
- Everton’s defeat damages their push for a European place on David Moyes’ 63rd birthday.
West Ham United climbed away from relegation trouble after Callum Wilson netted a dramatic winner in the second minute of stoppage time to beat Everton 2-1 at the London Stadium.
Tomas Soucek had headed the home side in front midway through the second half, marking his 250th club appearance with a goal. Everton, chasing a European spot, levelled through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after a James Tarkowski knock-down.
The draw would have dropped West Ham into the bottom three because Tottenham were winning at Wolves. Instead, Jarrod Bowen’s late cross found Wilson unmarked and the striker steered the ball home for his ninth goal in eight games against the Toffees.
Manager Nuno Espírito Santo sprinted down the touchline in celebration, knowing the three points could prove priceless in the survival race. For opposite number David Moyes, the loss on his 63rd birthday and 750th Premier League match as a manager was a bitter blow to Everton’s European hopes.
The opening period lacked spark, with neither side able to keep the ball or create clear chances. West Ham looked brighter after the restart when Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville began running at the Everton defence, drawing three bookings with his direct play.
From one of Summerville’s forays, West Ham earned a corner. Bowen’s inswinging delivery was met by Soucek, who escaped his marker and glanced past Jordan Pickford.
Everton responded positively. Tyrique George, off the bench, added width and El Hadji Diouf saw a header hit the bar. The visitors thought they should have had a penalty when Mateus Fernandes appeared to handle, but the video officials stayed silent.
With Spurs ahead at Wolves, Dewsbury-Hall’s 87th-minute equaliser looked set to push the Hammers into the relegation places. Yet eight minutes of added time gave West Ham one last chance. In the 92nd minute Diouf floated a cross to the far post, Bowen nodded back across goal and Wilson finished from close range.
The strike sparked wild celebrations inside the stadium and leaves the east Londoners two points above 18th-placed Tottenham with the survival battle set to go down to the final day.
