Everton undo West Ham in bad tempered victory at Goodison

Everton’s greater composure on the ball saw them beat West Ham 2-1 at Goodison Park.

The Toffees were able to turn West Ham’s desire to play direct against them by retaining the ball and playing through their weakened midfield, that was missing Alex Song and Stewart Downing through injury.

Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring after finding himself free in the West Ham box, with the hosts’ movement causing James Collins and co. numerous problems at the back.

Sam Allardyce’s second half substitutes almost turned the game, with Mauro Zarate arriving on the field to become the Hammers’ creative focal point, and he pulled one back after a heavy deflection by Jagielka.

Roberto Martinez used his substitutions well too however, and after Kevin Mirallas received a yellow after becoming involved in a confrontation with James Tomkins, he was switched out for Samuel Eto’o. The Cameroonian created a brilliant chance for Leon Osman who scored on his 400th league appearance for Everton.

West Ham fans may feel aggrieved that their team didn’t gain a numerical advantage before half-time however, with boos raining down from the stands after James McCarthy only received a yellow for a nasty foul on Morgan Amilfitano.

The result means that Everton are now unbeaten in five games while West Ham’s top four momentum looks to have been checked, after their previous two games finished as draws.

7' - CHANCE: Carroll and Cole are forced to track back to support West Ham’s weakened midfield but the former Liverpool striker almost creates and scores a goal. He passes it out to Amilfitano who delivers a cross that Jagielka just manages to keep away from Carroll.

16' - SKILL: Everton look more comfortable in possession with Naismith is leading the way. He carries the ball through the middle to start yet another move in the final third, taking out two markers with a lovely little pirouette.

23' - CHANCE: Kevin Mirallas beats three West Ham players as he dances from the left flank and into the centre, playing the ball into and off Lukaku in the process. It's a wonderful run and features a nutmeg and plenty of bustling dribbling. Unfortunately Everton can't find a way to turn his individualism into proper shot.

32' - CHANCE: Everton almost gift West Ham an equaliser as Martinez's organisational problems at the back rear their head once again. A sloppy pass into no man's land allows Nolan to snatch the initiative and send the ball to Morgan Amilfitano. The Frenchman is clear on goal as the Everton defence struggles to fit its feet but his shot isn't good enough. A big opportunity missed by Big Sam's team.

40’ - CONTROVERSY: James McCarthy who goes in hard against Amilfitano, who falls to the floor in agony. Kevin Nolan is still receiving treatment on the sidelines after an earlier rash challenge. Winston Reid leads his team mates into a coming together as the visitors protest at the referee over McCarthy's challenge. On replay it is a dangerous challenge. Not punches are thrown in the melee but there's a heck of a lot of pushing, shoving and words said. Reid and McCarthy get yellows.

40’ – CONTROVERSY: Handbags! Mirallas goes in heavy against Amilfitano, with the two players squaring up once back on their feet. The Belgian even raises his hand to the face of James Tomkins after he rushes in to get involved. They both get yellows.

66’ – SUBSTITUTION: Samuel Eto'o comes on for Kevin Mirallas. It's probably a wise move removing Mirallas from play too given his reaction to Tomkins.

76’ - CHANCE: James Collins almost equalises for West Ham! Jarvis runs down the left channels and fires a shot at Howard's far post, forcing the keeper to block the ball with his shins. The ball falls to the Welsh central defender, who could have been carded for his challenge on Lukaku, who makes a bit of a mess of it. Let down by a defender's touch in front of goal.

The last time Burnley went without a victory in their first five matches of a top-flight season was in 1970/71. Sunderland have now failed to win a single match in their first five matches of the season for the second season in a row.

Sam Allardyce: tactical genius? For a figure who is so often mocked as a dinosaur within the English game, Allardyce has done a lot to push football management on in the Premier League era. He was one of the first to invest in performance analysis and this season has crafted a smart system that has got the best out of his players and resources. His early substitutions in the second half almost turned the game for West Ham, with Big Sam’s adjustments snatching the initiative away from the far more celebrated Martinez. Maybe we shouldn’t have laughed so hard about his suggestions of working in Spain and Italy? Ok. Let’s not go that far.

Steven Naismith (Everton): With Everton struggling to get a grip of the game, Naismith stepped up to lead the hosts back onto the front foot, and was a constant source of energy and inspiration through the middle for Martinez’s men. Though his shooting was off today, his intelligent awareness of those around him and ability to combine with and find runners marked him out as the most pivotal player on the pitch.

Everton: Howard 7, Hibbert 7, Distin 6, Jagielka 6, Coleman 7, Osman 8, McCarthy 6, Barkley 7, Naismith 8, Mirallas 7, Lukaku 7. Subs: Eto’o 8, Besic 6, Atsu 6

West Ham: Adrian 6, Cresswell 7, Reid 6, Collins 5, Tomkins 6, Jenkinson 7, Noble 5, Nolan 6, Amalfitano 7, Cole 6, Carroll 7. Subs: Zarate 8, Jarvis 7, Vaz Tae 5.