Everton 1 West Ham 2: Everton were dearly hoping to extend the mini-revival which had begun to put a little gloss on their abject start to the season. But having had the fillip of an early lead through James Beattie they conceded an own-goal shortly afterwards, and were then largely outplayed by a resilient and frequently dynamic West Ham side, for whom Bobby Zamora's second-half winning goal was his third in three matches, all of them away from Upton Park.
This was the match postponed from the beginning of the season when - and it seems a pretty bleak reminder now - Everton were in Europe and losing their way against Villarreal in the Champions League.
Hardly had Everton lost to the Spaniards when they were turfed out of the Uefa Cup as well, and by then they could barely win a game at all. The revival of the previous season seemed a mirage but gradually, and in the face of considerable injury problems, they have stabilised their position and began last night having not conceded a home goal in the Premiership since Frank Lampard struck for Chelsea in the 1-1 draw on Merseyside in October.
Everton stuck to the same side that drew with Manchester United on Sunday, although the talented Mike Arteta was back in the squad after suspension. Few would have supposed in August that West Ham would be ahead of Everton in mid-December, but just as Everton's poor start came as a surprise, so has the solid beginning made by Alan Pardew's team.
Solid is not a word that has been used to any huge degree about the Londoners over the years, and certainly could not be used of their defence in a lively Everton opening.
Beattie had already had a half-chance via Tony Hibbert before he latched on to James McFadden's excellent curving pass from the left to sweep the ball past Roy Carroll whose attempt to stop the shot was only a token effort. Beattie, without a goal in four matches, timed his run to perfection and left James Collins, making his full debut, horribly exposed.
However, any Everton thoughts that they might be in for an easy ride were rapidly banished. There appeared to be little danger when Tomas Repka, wide on the right, struck a low centre into a densely packed goalmouth. Indeed all the West Ham players managed to avoid contact, which may have been part of a cunning plan. Richard Wright was doing his best to make sure all options were covered, but could do nothing when David Weir stuck out a foot and the ball looped in a parabola beyond Everton's goalkeeper.
No doubt about the own-goal, although Repka was congratulated as if he had been Geoff Hurst reincarnated. Everton both lost the lead and McFadden with a foot injury which doubly upset their initial rhythm while West Ham grew in confidence, breaking forward with considerable elan as they sensed the Weir own goal had been a considerable shock to Everton's defensive wellbeing.
Marlon Harewood should have put West Ham ahead after the break. He was unmarked for Mullins's early cross from the right but failed to get any direction or power on his header. Everton found themselves under severe pressure, and once again Harewood clutched his head in frustration as he just failed to connect with Matthew Etherington's cross, this time from the left. But the goal finally came when Etherington's low shot was only parried by Wright leaving Zamora with an easy opening.
Second-half substitute Arteta added some attacking impetus but his deflected shot, which flew wide with quarter of an hour remaining, was the nearest Everton came to claiming a point.
EVERTON: Wright, Hibbert (Arteta 61), Yobo, Weir, Nuno Valente, Osman, Neville, Davies, Kilbane (Ferguson 68), Beattie, McFadden (Bent 20). Subs Not Used: Turner, Kroldrup. Booked: Hibbert, Osman. Goals: Beattie 9.
WEST HAM: Carroll, Repka, Ferdinand, Collins, Konchesky, Benayoun, Fletcher, Mullins, Etherington (Dailly 86), Harewood, Zamora (Newton 86). Subs Not Used: Hislop, Bellion, Aliadiere. Booked: Fletcher. Goals: Weir 19 og, Zamora 67.
Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).
