LIVERPOOL: New West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo saw signs in their 1-1 draw with Everton on Monday that his side can turn things around after a dreadful start to the Premier League season, but there is still plenty of work to do.

His predecessor Graham Potter was sacked on Saturday morning and the Portuguese coach was ushered in to quickly take over. He had little time to instill his usual defensively-sound counter-attacking style, but whatever he did manage to do paid dividends in the draw on Merseyside.

Nuno quickly stamped his authority by dropping midfielder James Ward-Prowse, a player whose loan agreement he terminated early at Nottingham Forest last season.

However, the London side’s problems at set pieces persisted as they conceded a headed goal from Michael Keane in the 18th minute after a cleared corner was crossed back into the box.

England forward Jarrod Bowen ensured Nuno avoided a debut defeat when he picked up a headed clearance and cut inside before firing home in the 65th minute.

“Our message today was very clearly about competing as a team, being close to each other, and the boys did well. I think overall it is a good first, first game for us,” the 51-year-old Portuguese coach said. “This game is going to be the tool, the main tool, for us to move forward. Now we’re going to analyse it. It’s all about knowing the players better, trying to take the right decisions in the right moment.”

Much of that analysis will focus on strengthening West Ham’s defence at set pieces as they once again conceded a goal following a corner, but Espirito Santo saw plenty he can work with as his side pulled a goal back in the second half to secure the draw.

“It’s all about competing, every ball matters — the message was clear, and the boys are slowly, I think, understanding that football match is also about how we close [down the route to] our own goal, how many chances we concede,” he explained.

It was only the second time in seven games in all competitions this season that West Ham had managed to escape without a loss.

The east London club remain second bottom of the Premier League with four points from their first six games. Everton are ninth on eight points.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2025