West Ham United made a significant stride towards European football qualification after a deserved victory over a spirited ten-men Everton side. The Toffees came out to fight and showed a great attitude on Sunday evening. They even managed to draw level after falling behind, but they simply didn’t have enough quality to resist the Irons at the London Stadium.Goals from Aaron Cresswell and Jarrod Bowen were enough for David Moyes to overcome his old club and ensure a nervy end to the campaign for the Goodison Park club.As if Frank Lampard didn’t have enough problems already, but his on-loan midfielder Donny van de Beek picked up an injury just before the game and had to be removed from the starting line-up. With Brazilian Allan also injured, Lampard had no choice but to send defender Mason Holgate to play in the middle of the park. It was a bad omen.The visitors needed a result to ease their relegation worries and wouldn’t surrender without a fight. With Richarlison looking hungry and energetic, Everton tried to stun the Europe-chasing Irons but were hit by a glorious Aaron Cresswell that flew into the top corner, giving Jordan Pickford no chance whatsoever.Richarlison had a golden chance to make it 1-1 just before the break but directed a shot just over with the outside of his boot.Lampard sent his team to score after the break and Dominic Calvert-Lewin came migthy close when he skimmed the top of the crossbar after being released down the left by Alex Iwobi. Shortly, however, Everton managed to draw level. Holgate struck a partially cleared corner and found the net past Lukasz Fabianski via a slight deflection.It was an encouraging moment for the Toffees, but things started to unravel soon. Just before the hour mark, West Ham punished their opponents with a swift counter-attack. Bowen tucked in the rebound after Pickford could only palm away a Michail Antonio shot. It was 2-1 and it was trouble for Lampard.Things got even worse when Michael Keane earned himself the second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Antonio and had to go for an early shower. The visitors were already fighting an uphill battle and were suddenly reduced to ten men. It was pretty much the end.3 – Frank Lampard’s Everton side have been given three red cards in their last three Premier League games. Lampard himself was only shown three red cards in his 609-game career as a player in the competition. Bite. pic.twitter.com/rWqRcZkua6— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 3, 2022 The Hammers kept their composure and preserved the lead until the final whistle with relative ease.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 31Saturday Liverpool – Watford 2-0 (1-0)/Jota 22, Fabinho 89 pen/Wolverhampton Wanderers – Aston Villa 2-1 (2-0)/Jonny 7, Young 36 og – Watkins 86 pen/Chelsea – Brentford 1-4 (0-0)/Rudiger 48 – Janelt 50, 60, Eriksen 54, Wissa 87/Leeds United – Southampton 1-1 (1-0)/Harrison 29 – Ward-Prowse 49/Burnley – Manchester City 0-2 (0-2)/De Bruyne 5, Gundogan 25/Brighton – Norwich City 0-0Manchester United – Leicester City 1-1 (0-0)/Fred 66 – Iheanacho 63/Sunday West Ham United – Everton 2-1 (1-0)/Cresswell 32, Bowen 58 – Holgate 53/17.30: (1.53) Tottenham (4.10) Newcastle (6.50)*** odds are subject to change
