Everton score 2-0 EPL win over West Ham

Oct 30, 2016 - 4:29 PM Romelu Lukaku's 50th English Premier League goal for Everton has helped them to a deserved 2-0 victory over West Ham United, ending a four-game run without a win.

The win keeps the Merseysiders sixth on the table and maintains their unbeaten home record in the league under manager Ronald Koeman, who replaced Roberto Martinez in the close season.

West Ham have now lost four of five away games and could drop into the bottom four after Stoke play Swansea on Monday.

As is often the case, French international Dimitri Payet carried West Ham's greatest threat. He helped set up Pedro Obiang for their one real first half chance but the midfielder scooped his shot over the bar.

With only one shot each on target during that opening 45 minutes there was little to match the drama of the corresponding fixture last season when West Ham trailed 2-0 in the 77th minute but won 3-2.

Goalkeeper Adrian produced one fine save before the interval to deny Barkley but five minutes after the resumption he could only parry Seamus Coleman's drive and Yannick Bolasie reacted quickest, giving Lukaku the easiest of finishes for his seventh goal of the season.

The Belgian international then supplied an assist for Barkley to double the lead in the 75th minute.

Barkley began the move inside his own half and raced forward to half-volley in Lukaku's astute pass.

"It was a total team performance," Koeman told Sky Sports.

"Ross Barkley had more impact in the last part of our attacking, not only in scoring but he was dangerous throughout.

"He can be very good but it is all about knowing what you need to do. Sometimes I have to shout too much, he needs to run more."

West Ham's manager Slaven Bilic, a former Everton player, said: "We should have done better. The first goal was very cheap, we gave it away, and after that they were always dangerous on the counter-attack. So a big disappointment."

Source: AAP