Nuno Espirito Santo’s tenure at West Ham began with a tense 1-1 draw against Everton on Monday night, a result secured by Jarrod Bowen’s second-half strike that ensured the new manager avoided an opening defeat. The Portuguese coach, appointed just 48 hours earlier following Graham Potter’s dismissal, watched on as Michael Keane’s first-half header had put Everton ahead at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. But Bowen’s determination after the break salvaged a valuable point for a West Ham side still stranded near the foot of the Premier League table.
Nuno, who replaced Potter after the Hammers slumped to 19th place with a damaging 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace, admitted his side showed spirit but also highlighted the scale of the work ahead. “We did a lot of good things, we competed well, but there is a lot of work to be done. The desire was there in the second half. Now it is about keeping it simple and giving the boys a strong identity. We will get there,” he told reporters. The 51-year-old is no stranger to the demands of a relegation fight, having kept both Wolves and Nottingham Forest in the top flight during difficult spells. His experience will be critical for West Ham, who have collected just four points from six games this campaign.
Everton’s opener arrived in the 18th minute after a familiar defensive lapse from a set piece. Alphonse Areola punched clear, but the loose ball found James Garner, whose return delivery was met by Keane’s firm header that rocketed into the roof of the net. Frustration was clear on Nuno’s face as he replayed the moment on the touchline, while sections of the travelling West Ham support turned their anger towards the board. Matters nearly worsened when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s glancing header flashed narrowly wide, but Jordan Pickford soon had to react smartly at the other end to tip away Crysencio Summerville’s effort.
West Ham’s persistence finally paid off in the 65th minute. El Hadji Malick Diouf whipped in a dangerous cross and Bowen seized the chance, unleashing a strike that took a decisive deflection off Keane before nestling past Pickford. The goal lifted the visitors’ energy and handed Nuno a first glimpse of his squad’s fighting spirit after only two training sessions in charge.
The game also carried an ironic subplot, with Everton managed by former West Ham boss David Moyes. Moyes famously delivered the club’s UEFA Conference League triumph in 2023, their first trophy in more than four decades, but was not retained amid supporter unrest. His steady style, once questioned, now feels missed by some of the Hammers’ faithful.
For Nuno, who dismissed himself at Forest earlier this season following disagreements with ownership, Monday’s draw provided both relief and a reminder of the challenge ahead. “It’s three days, we’re still getting to know each other. But it’s nice to be back. This is what we live for — to compete,” he reflected.
While the point did little to ease West Ham’s precarious position, it prevented a morale-sapping debut defeat for their new manager. For the fans and players alike, Bowen’s strike symbolised a small but significant step as the club braces for another long survival battle.
