Following the game against Everton which saw West Ham maintain their clean sheet record and get three points, speaking to West Ham FC’s website Declan Rice was pleased with the performance:
“We knew today was going to be really tough. If we’d have lost today, we’d have been on eleven points and in the bottom half of the table.
“It’s good for our mentality that if we want to keep pushing and being a better team, trying to improve this Football Club, we need to be up and around the top teams, so today was so important.”
The victory means that West Ham have an amazing away record of five wins in six games. Rice believes the fans play an important part in maintaining a positive mindset:
“Our fans love coming away to watch us and as players we like travelling around and playing away at stadiums like this.”
https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/October/17-October/DeclanRiceWejustloveawaydaysthisseason
Ogbonna On The Victory:
Matchwinner Ogbonna scored a late goal with 16 minutes remaining. Speaking to West Ham FC’s website after the game Ogbonna was satisfied with the performance:
“If the back is solid, whatever happens… football is unpredictable – we can even miss three chances, and if they have one chance, they can score – but if we stay concentrated until the end, until our chance, we can take away something really good.”
How Events Unfolded:
The game was dominated by West Ham who had numerous shots on target in the first half and forced numerous saves from the home team. After the game Ogbonna said:
“For a long time we dominated the ball, we had our chances, but it’s football – everything comes from the back.”
https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/October/19-October/AngeloOgbonnaOurambitiongivesuspride
Early on in the 18th minute Doucoure’s shot flashed over the bar after Digne cross was headed straight to his path by Aaron Cresswell. Doucoure was never in control of the shot as it bounced.
10 minutes later Demarai Gray beat Ogbonna down the byline with a good piece of skill before rolling in a cross to Iwobi. Iwobi couldn’t quite connect with the ball as he miss hit his shot.
Shortly afterwards Townsend did well on the sideline to get the better of Rice before putting in a wonderful delivery for Doucoure. Doucoure rose high but his header bounced into the turf and wide of Fabianski’s right hand post.
With 10 minutes left of the first half Benrahma did well to drift past Allan and Iwobi before setting up Bowen who forced a save out of Pickford. The rebound was put away by Soucek who was adjudged to be offside.
On the 38th minute Johnson dinked a cross into to Fornals on his right foot but Fornals curled his shot wide.
Hammers Dominance In Second Half
Five minutes into the second half Lucas Digne crossed the ball to Iwobi who turned before getting his shot blocked by Ogbonna.
On the 52nd minute Townsend put a devilish ball in for Rondon who headed wide of the target.
Bowen’s delivery forced an awkward clearance from Godfrey which had Pickford scrambling to prevent Antonio scoring a header from the rebound.
With 16 minutes remaining, West Ham took the lead when a superb corner from Bowen was headed home by Ogbonna.
With a minute left Antonio found Bowen who called Pickford into urgent action. Bowen turned onto his left before curling a shot which Pickford tipped over the bar.
The last action of the game was a Godfrey header from an in swinging Gray corner in the 95th minute.
Full-time: Everton 0-1 West Ham
