West Ham 2-1 Everton: What We Learned

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.

But while I hope he makes it, there’s probably a case to say a good rest over the summer would do him good.

In the last two matches, Garner has looked increasingly leggy. He had an excellent second half against Liverpool but was given the run-around in the first, and on Saturday, he was far from the levels he has displayed all season long.

That is perfectly understandable, he has played the third-most minutes of any outfielder in the Premier League this season, and in such a demanding position — or in his case, positions — that’s bound to take its toll.

There’s no need for Garner to be dropped, or anything like that, but it’s time for Moyes to get more energy into the side in other areas to support him.

Garner now needs to rest up this coming week, and then put his all into the run-in. If he is not at his best, it’s evident how much Everton struggle to contain teams.

KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL DELIVERS

Finishing on a positive note, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is by far and away Everton’s signing of the season, and it’s a straight shootout between the midfielder and Garner for the Player of the Season award.

He was not at his best against Brentford, yet popped up with that late equaliser. He was not at his best against Liverpool, but delivered the assist for Beto to drag Everton level.

He was sharper against West Ham, and led some excellent breaks in the first half, and his performance was rewarded with what should have been, at the very least, an equaliser when he lashed home on the volley in the 88th minute.

For Everton’s defence to then go and switch off just 4 minutes later is ludicrous, but should not take away from what Dewsbury-Hall continues to give the Toffees, and that is output. Eight goals, four assists — three more league goal involvements than any other player in the squad.

If Everton do miss out on Europe, it will certainly not be for the want of trying, and in Dewsbury-Hall’s case, it will not be for the want of doing his part, either.

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