Everton recorded a superb 1-0 victory away at West Ham yesterday, and they have now earned praise from Hammers defender Aaron Cresswell.
Sean Dyche’s side dug out a win at a tough ground as Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted a second-half winner, and defended superbly to shut West Ham out of the game.
Everton conceded possession to the hosts, intending to hit them on the counter-attack, and could have even scored more if the attacking players were more clinical.
Cresswell praises Everton following West Ham defeat
Speaking to West Ham media following the game, the 33-year-old pointed out that Everton stifled the host’s ability to create chances with their excellent defending.
“We had control of the game in spells, for the majority of it, but we just couldn’t break them down in the final third,” Cresswell stated.
“Credit to Everton, they get men behind the ball and make it difficult and we couldn’t get through.”
Everton’s defensive masterclass
Although Sean Dyche has received some criticism for his negative style of play, the win at West Ham showed exactly where his strengths lie, as he led the team to a near-complete defensive performance.
Whilst West Ham did dominate the ball, recording 64% possession, Everton restricted them to just two shots on target, and a lower expected goals total of just 0.66 as per FotMob.
Everton themselves had four shots on target, and they could have scored more if the attackers, and Jack Harrison in particular, were clinical in decisive moments.
The win not only saw Everton grab three points, but it could provide a monumental boost for this season, and give the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitaliy Mykolenko more confidence in the back line.
Both players were standout performers as they nullified West Ham’s attack, and if Everton can continue to defend so well on the road, they will give themselves a great chance of avoiding relegation and picking up difficult points.
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