On May 16, 2015, West Ham United faced Everton in a Premier League match at the Boleyn Ground (Upton Park). The match ended in a dramatic 2-1 victory for Everton, with a last-minute goal sealing the win.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- West Ham United: 1 (Stewart Downing 62′)
- Everton: 2 (Leon Osman 68′, Romelu Lukaku 90+3′)
- Possession:
- Everton had 58% possession, while West Ham United had 42%. Everton’s control of the ball allowed them to create more opportunities and apply consistent pressure throughout the match.
- Shots:
- West Ham United registered 13 shots, with 4 on target, reflecting their efforts to challenge Everton’s defense. Everton had 16 shots, with 6 on target, demonstrating their attacking intent and ability to convert chances.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Everton displayed a passing accuracy of 85%, completing 480 passes out of 564 attempts. West Ham had a passing accuracy of 77%, completing 323 passes out of 421 attempts. Everton’s superior ball retention and distribution were key to their control of the game.
- Defensive Statistics:
- West Ham made 19 tackles compared to Everton’s 12, indicating a more aggressive approach in trying to regain possession. Both teams committed 10 fouls, showing the physical nature of the contest.
- Set Pieces:
- Stewart Downing’s goal for West Ham came from open play. Everton’s goals also came from open play, with Leon Osman equalizing and Romelu Lukaku scoring the dramatic late winner. Set pieces were not directly influential in the outcome of this match.
- Individual Performances:
- Stewart Downing was a key player for West Ham, scoring the opening goal and being involved in most of their attacking plays. For Everton, Romelu Lukaku was the standout performer, scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time and constantly threatening West Ham’s defense. Leon Osman’s equalizing goal was also crucial in shifting the momentum towards Everton.
- Tactical Overview:
- West Ham United employed a 4-4-2 formation, focusing on solid defensive organization and quick counter-attacks. Everton used a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to control midfield and utilize the pace and strength of Lukaku up front. Everton’s tactical discipline and ability to capitalize on key moments were decisive.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw four yellow cards, two for each team: West Ham’s James Collins (29′) and Mark Noble (71′), and Everton’s Seamus Coleman (45′) and James McCarthy (88′). These fouls were mostly tactical, aimed at breaking up play and preventing counter-attacks.
- Corners and Offsides:
- West Ham United won 4 corners compared to Everton’s 5, indicating balanced opportunities from set-piece situations. West Ham were caught offside three times, while Everton had two offside calls, reflecting disciplined defensive lines and attempts to exploit gaps.
Summary
Everton’s 2-1 victory over West Ham United was marked by a dramatic late winner from Romelu Lukaku, securing three points in a closely contested match. Despite West Ham taking the lead through Stewart Downing, Everton quickly responded with Leon Osman’s equalizer and maintained pressure throughout the game. Lukaku’s stoppage-time goal was a testament to Everton’s persistence and attacking quality. West Ham showed resilience and had their moments, but ultimately, Everton’s superior possession, passing accuracy, and clinical finishing made the difference. The result highlighted Everton’s ability to perform under pressure and secure a win in crucial moments.
