Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his 50th goal in the English Premier League today, Sunday, helping his team, Everton, secure a 1-0 victory against hosts West Ham United, moving the Merseyside club slightly away from the relegation zone. Calvert-Lewin netted the goal in the 51st minute, turning his body and unleashing a low shot from inside the box on the wet London pitch that got past West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Everton rose to 15th place with ten points from ten matches, five points clear of the relegation zone, while West Ham, who have now lost three consecutive matches in all competitions, sit ninth with 14 points. Everton created the better chances during the match, while West Ham's Jarrod Bowen missed two significant opportunities.
West Ham appeared underwhelming at times, as seen in their 2-1 loss in Greece to Olympiacos last Thursday, and struggled with possession. However, they pushed hard for an equalizer in the last 20 minutes. Bowen nearly opened the scoring midway through the first half when he found space inside the box after a brilliant pass from Lucas Paquetá, but he shot wide of the target.
Jack Harrison wasted a dangerous opportunity when three Everton players countered against one West Ham defender, with Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucouré alongside him, but he chose to shoot, resulting in a weak effort that went straight to Areola. Bowen then headed over the bar from a free-kick cross, and three minutes later, Everton took the lead.
Branthwaite won the ball after a strong challenge and passed it forward before Harrison and Calvert-Lewin exchanged passes, allowing the latter to turn and strike a low shot that nestled in Areola's net. Areola later saved a dangerous chance from Doucouré, but Everton had to defend for the last half hour, with West Ham failing to breach the visitors' defense, marking the first time this season that they did not score.
