West Ham United vs Everton
The Soldier Field in Chicago is the venue for the latest friendly encounter in the Premier League Summer Series.
As contests go, the result is secondary with the priority for any football manager to bed in new signings, implement any tactical changes and boost players’ fitness with the big kick-off firmly on the horizon.
There is clearly cautious excitement at these clubs right now, but concerns remain.
Will the friendly 2025 highlights reflect that?
Talking Points
All Evertonians that this SBOTOP observer has spoken to during the summer are optimistic about the direction in which they are heading, sparked, naturally, by the fact they are about to move into their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Naturally concerns remain about the make-up of the squad.
The club managed to tick two items off their to-do list this month. Thierno Barry was signed from Villarreal for £27 million to lead the frontline while Mark Travers arrived from Bournemouth for £4m to provide competition to Jordan Pickford in goal.
The gaps elsewhere though remain.
For example, on the right-hand side of midfield, Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom returned to their respective clubs following the end of their loan spells.
At left back, the departure of veteran Ashley Young has left a hole for a player who, despite his age, was comfortable going forward and providing crosses, final balls and assists.
At right back, the Blues had personal terms agreed to sign Fulham’s Kenny Tete as a free agent before he changed his mind and signed a new deal with the Cottagers.
With captain Seamus Coleman in the twilight of his career and struggling with injuries, there appears no long-term replacement, although Nathan Patterson may argue otherwise, while boss David Moyes deployed Jake O’Brien as a makeshift right-back for the final months of last season.
Midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has also departed and, if links are to be believed, and become a reality, Manchester City youngster James McAtee would represent a more exciting and creative addition.
In terms of goals, there will pressure on Beto and new boy Barry, especially now there is no longer Dominic Calvert-Lewin (a talented player but so injury prone).
The Toffees met Bournemouth in their Summer Series opener and conceded three second half goals without reply, backing up Moyes’ claim from earlier in pre-season that he could do with half a dozen players to strength the squad.
The 3-0 reverse followed three pre-season friendlies in England.
They drew 1-1 with Accrington Stanley and lost 1-0 to Blackburn Rovers before Charly Alcaraz and James Garner goals earned a 2-1 win over Port Vale behind closed doors.
Jarrad Branthwaite has not travelled with the squad to the US after picking up a minor injury.
Talking of Moyes, pre-season or not, he has yet to taste victory in eight meetings against Graham Potter which is a run he would like to end.
The Scot did a fine job last term, getting a tune out of players who seemed in need of a change – and that is not being disrespectful to Sean Dyche who deserves praise for what he achieved during his tenure amidst a turbulent background.
Like Moyes, Potter arrived in the dugout in mid-season as he replaced Julen Lopetegui in the Hammers’ hot seat.
Like Moyes, incomings have been slow at his end to.
Like Moyes (West Ham boss until 14 months ago), there is a big gap up front following the release of Danny Ings, while Mohammed Kudus has joined Tottenham.
It’s a big year for the respected Englishman whose superb work at Brighton earned him the Chelsea job where he was barely given six months.
It is understood ex-Newcastle man Callum Wilson has been offered a one-year deal (with the option of an extension) which has frustrated some of their fanbase who are pleading for a more long-term approach to recruitment, although I actually think he is worth a punt.
They have secured the £19m addition of El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague and, if reports are accurate, could have the boost of Lucas Paquetá involved without charges hanging over his head.
He is expected to learn in the coming days that he has been cleared of spot-fixing, removing a shadow that stood to wreck his career.
The 27 year-old midfielder faced a lengthy ban after being charged in May last year with four counts of deliberately getting himself booked to influence betting markets so that friends and family members might benefit.
West Ham also lost their US opener, going down 2-1 to Man Utd despite a second-half goal from Jarrod Bowen.
History
Historically, Everton have held the upper hand in this fixture with 75 victories compared to 45 West Ham successes and 33 draws.
There were two draws apiece last term.
A goalless draw in east London in November was followed by a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in March when young centre back O’Brien pounced in stoppage time to cancel out Tomas Soucek’s opener midway through the second half.
Possibly their most famous meeting in the modern era came in the 1980 FA Cup semi-finals when Frank Lampard senior and Alan Devonshire scored in a replay at Elland Road to settle the tie with Bob Latchford on target for the Toffees.
West Ham would go onto win the FA Cup. It remains the last time a side from outside the top flight has lifted the famous trophy.
Their very first meeting was also in the FA Cup in 1907 when John Sharp and Jimmy Settle netted in a 2-1 Everton win at Upton Park.
Harry Stapley found the net for the home team.
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