Everton boss Sean Dyche was left praising a ‘great’ finish from Tomas Soucek as the West Ham United midfielder scored a stunning late effort during Saturday’s 3-1 comeback win at Goodison Park.
Not for the first time this season – and probably not for the last – Sean Dyche found himself rueing Everton’s wastefulness as they chucked away three invaluable points against a West Ham outfit who showcased a clinical streak their hosts were so painfully lacking.
Even David Moyes, Dyche’s opposite number, admitted that the 3-1 scoreline flatters West Ham, while highlighting the ‘brilliant’ contributions of goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. The Frenchman saved a Beto penalty, the pinnacle of a supreme display.
Dyche, meanwhile, had a few rueful words of praise for Areola’s West Ham team-mate, Tomas Soucek curling home beautifully to give the visitors the lead for the first time in the 91st minute.
Dyche disappointed as Everton collapse against West Ham
“We’re pretty much – not controlling the whole game – but we’ve got a firm hand on the game,” Dyche tells BBC Sport, the gravel-voiced gaffer airing familiar grievances as a relegation-threatened Everton saw their winless run extend to 10 games.
“We’ve got to go and score. I can’t stand here every week and say ‘the XG is through the roof’. It’s a marker but it doesn’t win you games. Winning games is scoring at one end and keeping it out at the other.
“They score a great goal to be fair to them (from Soucek) to get their nose ahead. We’ve had so many chances today. High quality moments in high quality areas and we don’t score a goal. That’s my responsibility but also the player’s responsibility.”
A huge week for David Moyes
Soucek – who is often renowned for towering headers and scrappy efforts – scored what was perhaps the finest goal of his West Ham career in stoppage time. Midfield partner Edson Alvarez then killed off the contest on the counter attack, the pressure easing on former Everton boss Moyes following successive wins and seven goals in a week.
Moyes, meanwhile, described Soucek’s sublime curling effort as ‘brilliant’. The towering Czech Republic international now has nine goals this season, one shy of his personal best.
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