Everton’s Jake O’Brien scored in stoppage time to equalise, salvaging a Premier League draw for Everton against West Ham.
Everton’s manager Moyes reunion against the side he left in the summer and where he enjoyed distinguished success such as winning the 2023 Europa Conference League looked to be heading for a disappointing end until O’Brien struck.
With time running out, the Republic of Ireland defender converted from close range following Idrissa Gueye’s excellent cutback into the six-yard box.
“Brilliant character, deserved in the end,” Moyes told BBC Match of the Day. “We did quite well in the first half but didn’t create enough chances.
“Second half West Ham started better. We made a few changes, the boys came on and made a difference. We got our reward.”
West Ham had offered more of a goal threat during the contest and Jordan Pickford made two stunning reaction saves to keep out Jarrad Branthwaite’s inadvertent header which was flying towards his own net, before tipping over Jarrod Bowen’s sweetly struck shot from 25 yards.
The visitors broke the deadlock on 67 minutes courtesy of Tomas Soucek’s fine finish, taking a touch from Bowen’s pass before curling a delightful finish into the far corner.
Everton have been rejuvenated under Moyes and none more so than O’Brien, who found opportunities under Sean Dyche limited but has made the right-back spot his own – the Irishman’s thunderous effort from range was pushed away by Alphonse Areola.
The Toffees thought they had a chance to open the scoring on the stroke of half-time when referee Darren Bond pointed to the penalty spot for an apparent foul on Beto, but after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor he reversed his decision.
But Everton battled on and O’Brien had the final say to spark a cacophony of noise from the home supporters and extend his side’s unbeaten run to nine games.
Moyes has overseen a remarkable turnaround at Everton since returning to the club in January and the 61-year-old Scot was named Premier League manager of the month following an unbeaten February.
The curse of receiving that award looked to be striking again, but O’Brien’s intervention ensured it was a satisfying reunion for his manager against his old club.
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“It was great to see Jake O’Brien get a goal,” said Moyes. “He has done really well.
“He is a young centre-back developing at right-back. He’s got some really good attributes. What he needs is Premier League experience.”
Moyes had written in the matchday programme notes about “enjoying” his time at London Stadium, pointing to lifting silverware as well as sixth, seventh and ninth-placed finishes in the league.
With Everton’s top-flight status virtually assured by being 17 points clear of the relegation zone with nine games to go, Moyes now has the task on Merseyside of emulating his successful time at West Ham.
The Blues have only four games remaining at Goodison Park before moving to their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock next season, but will need to improve if they are to succeed there.
They were second best for large periods against a West Ham team that have picked up under Graham Potter, and Moyes has yet to taste victory in eight meetings against the Englishman.
Beto twice nodded over in the first half while Carlos Alcaraz could even have won it in added time but dragged his shot wide of the post.
The result leaves the two sides level on points, but the Hammers may feel they could have taken more from the game had Soucek not headed straight at Pickford shortly after scoring.
With Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton occupying the bottom three places and looking increasingly likely to head back to the Championship, these two sides can have one eye on next season and will face each other on a pre-season tour of the USA in the summer.
Potter said: “It’s football sometimes. When the environment turns here and the game changes as a result it’s difficult.
“Overall a strong performance – it is what it is
