This was Everton's best away performance under Frank Lampard. It contained a dismal error leading to the decisive goal being conceded, a red card for the third consecutive Premier League game and a pitiful lack of attacking threat against a West Ham team that was some way off its best.
But it was still an improvement because what had preceded it was so bad from the division's worst travellers, who have taken two points from the last available 36. “Disappointed,” was Lampard’s initial assessment at London Stadium. “We deserved a point at least in general play. It was an afternoon when quite a few things went against us. There are things we can be happy about. If we carry on in that vein things will go in our favour.”
Believing that Everton deserved “at least” a draw was a stretch considering they were comfortably beaten on xG, managed two shots on target in the entire game and remained a defensive mess ripe for exploiting. But pouncing on even the slightest positive positive is a must in such a grim situation.
