FT: Everton 1-3 West Ham: Yarmolenko, Hammers finally with happiness and points

Joy and relief.

Those are the two words that can truly describe West Ham United’s first points and victory of the season, as they secured a needed impressive win by defeating Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Standout performances from two-goal man Andriy Yarmolenko, Marko Arnautovic and Pedro Obiang were the catalyst to a very welcoming result for the Hammers, as they ended the four-game losing streak to begin the 2018-19 season. It resembled the side that owners David Gold and David Sullivan spent in the summer, and how they hope to see their club build on from this.

Yarmolenko opening the scoring in the 11th minute after early Everton good pressure, ending a lovely team move started by Fabian Balbuena’s tackle and great connecting play from Obiang and Arnautovic. The Ukrainian star made it a brace for him and the first 2-0 lead for West Ham this season, showcasing his fantastic left foot to curl home past Jordan Pickford in the 31st minute.

But as always with the Hammers, it’s never complete smooth sailing, as the Toffes got back into the game with Gylfi Sigurdsson heading home right before the first half whistle hit.

That Sigurdsson goal didn’t phase the Hammers though, and they got back the precious two goal lead from great work again from Obiang and Arnautovic, leading to the Austrian talisman scoring once more in the early stages of the season in the 61st minute.

West Ham hope to build from this happiest day of the season so far, when they take on highly flying crosstown rivals Chelsea at the London Stadium next Sunday.