Graham Potter believed his West Ham United squad deserved all three points against Everton after delivering another determined performance.
The Hammers were on course for victory when Tomáš Souček found the bottom right corner in the 67th minute.
However, their hopes were dashed in stoppage time when Jake O’Brien headed in the equalizer.
Despite the frustration of a 1-1 draw, Potter saw plenty of positives as he prepared for the crucial final stretch of the season.
After a physically demanding 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Monday, West Ham showed resilience against Everton.
They defended well, created chances beyond Souček’s goal, and forced Jordan Pickford into a couple of sharp saves through Jarrod Bowen.
While the match ended in a draw, Potter had no complaints about the effort his players put in.
Potter Reflects on the Performance
“I feel for the players because they gave everything, but in the end, we have to take our medicine and accept the point,” Potter said.
“I’m pleased with them—they put in a committed performance again and looked like a team.
We were slightly disappointed with the first half because we sat deeper than we wanted, but we fixed that at halftime.
In the second half, we played much better. Even in the first half, we had some good opportunities.
“I felt we controlled more of the game after halftime, scored a great goal, and created more chances.
However, we needed that second goal. Everton make things difficult, especially with the atmosphere here.
With their move to a new stadium approaching, there aren’t many games left at Goodison, so the crowd got involved, making it hard to manage the match.
“I feel for the players because they gave everything, but we have to take the point and move on.
We’re disappointed to concede at the end, but overall, the team defended well as a unit.”
Squad Contributions and Tactical Adjustments
Potter made defensive changes, bringing in Emerson and Dinos Mavropanos. He was pleased with how they adapted to the challenge.
“We felt we needed Dinos’ physicality because Everton are a big, physical team and use that strength effectively,” he explained.
“Ollie Scarles had an intense game on Monday and is just starting his journey, so it was a good time to bring in Emi’s experience and quality. He did well.
“The squad is ready to contribute. The substitutes want to play, and while they’re disappointed when they don’t start, they remain prepared to help the team. That’s a positive sign.”
Tomáš Souček’s Influence
Potter praised Souček, who continues to be a goal threat and an asset at both ends of the pitch.
“He’s always a danger in the box—both offensively and defensively.
Against Everton, you need that physical presence, and he provides it. His goal was a great finish and adds to his tally nicely. I’m pleased for him.”
Looking Ahead
As West Ham heads into the international break, Potter emphasized the need for balance—acknowledging strengths while identifying areas for improvement.
“We’ll focus on what we’ve done well and keep things in perspective. At the same time, there are always areas to improve.
“We wish the players leaving for international duty the best. For those staying, we’ll use the time wisely to recover, take a brief break, and then get ready to go again for the next match.”
