West Ham United 2-0 Everton: Jarrod Bowen double takes Hammers out of relegation zone

West Ham manager David Moyes says his side’s crucial victory against Everton was “a relief” for the club, but does not believe the board want to get rid of him.

It was West Ham’s first Premier League win in three months and piled the pressure on Everton boss Frank Lampard.

Like Lampard, it had been suggested Moyes would lose his job if West Ham lost.

“My understanding was the board will still support me no matter what, that takes a lot of doing and a big thank you to them,” Moyes told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Speaking in his news conference after the game, Moyes added: “I still believe it is something the board didn’t want to do, to make changes.

“I have a board behind me who are supportive and who have backed me.

“I really hope Everton stick with Frank. He is a top bloke from the times I’ve been with him, but I have to think about my position because me winning one game doesn’t mean everything is fine.”

Under-fire Everton owner Farhad Moshiri was attending his first game in 14 months, alongside the directors who missed last week’s home defeat by Southampton because of what Everton said was a “real and credible” threat to their safety, in a show of support for Lampard and defiance of his critics.

But his return didn’t bring Everton any luck. They have now gone 10 games without a win in all competitions and have picked up a single point – at Manchester City – in a run of seven games that has included five defeats against teams around them in the relegation battle.

The final whistle brought more boos from the Everton contingent and also banners being raised proclaiming ‘Sack the Board’ and ‘No Communication, No Plan, No Vision’.

Bowen’s double the difference

Managers are forever talking about the fine margins that make the difference between success and failure.

Bowen’s opener could not have been finer. On first glance, it appeared he was offside as he advanced on to Kurt Zouma’s header to knock the ball past Jordan Pickford. But VAR spotted James Tarkowski’s leg was playing the England man on by about an inch.

If trials agreed by the International Football Association Board are successful, next season the supporters inside the ground may get an actual explanation. Instead, they had to make do with referee Stuart Atwell pointing to the centre circle.

Having gone 12 games without a goal, Bowen’s next arrived seven minutes later as Tarkowski dived into a tackle on Michail Antonio in a position of little danger, allowing the West Ham forward to run into the box and deliver a low cross which was driven home from close range.

Had Alex Iwobi pulled one back before the break with a shot that was going in until it deflected off Declan Rice, then on to a post, Everton might have found a way back into the contest.

But, having established a crucial advantage, West Ham were not in the mood to let it go.

“The only difference between this and the other performances was scoring two goals,” said Moyes.

“We have had a couple of extraordinary years and we are all disappointed that we haven’t hit that height this year, but we need time for some players to settle in. Hopefully we can build that team and are on the right track now.”

Moshiri in the spotlight

The big question for Everton is what does Moshiri do now?

After spending so long not watching his team in the flesh, this provided him with the evidence for where his tenure – and an outlay in excess of £500m – has left them.

Although they dominated for an extended period at the start of the second half, Everton lacked the guile to prise open a determined home defence. Danny Ings’ introduction for his debut 20 minutes from time must have been particularly painful for Lampard as the striker was someone he was trying to attract to Goodison Park before he moved to West Ham for an initial £12m on Friday.

Indeed, it was West Ham who came closest to adding to their lead as Pickford turned Emerson’s shot on to the bar, and Rice rolled an effort marginally wide of the far post.

Moshiri was sat on the same row as chairman Bill Kenwright, chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale and between football director Kevin Thelwell and director Graeme Sharp.

Kenwright was shown on his own near the end, but it is Moshiri who must now decide whether Lampard will remain in his job, the former West Ham player taunted with a “sacked in the morning” jibe from the home fans.

West Ham say farewell to David Gold

The result was at least fitting on the day West Ham paid tribute to joint chairman David Gold, who died on 4 February.

Born in the shadow of Upton Park, a lifelong fan of the club and a player in his schooldays, Gold was viewed as the least problematic of an ownership group many fans do not like.

The stadium was full and paid a respectful tribute to Gold before the game, with sporting director Mark Noble laying a wreath on behalf of the club before kick-off, flanked by Gold’s daughters, Jacqueline and Vanessa.

A video of Gold’s journey from childhood poverty – “I only wanted to own a bike” – to football club owner was greeted with warm applause.

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