After both sides suffered disastrous starts to the season, West Ham United and Everton lost faith in Manuel Pellegrini and Marco Silva. It was rumoured that David Moyes was having talks with the Toffees about a potential return to Goodison Park, where he had been in charge between, 2002 and 2013.
However, instead, the Scot made a return to the London Stadium, to once again try and steer the Hammers clear to safety, while Carlo Ancelotti took charge on Merseyside. The transition in both clubs form since could not be more different and the move could been considered somewhat of a sliding doors moment as the teams have the exact opposite form of one another, prior to Everton’s trip to Arsenal.
From the moment the two managers were appointed, no side has collected fewer points in the top- flight than West Ham’s five, three of which came in the 4-0 win over A.F.C Bournemouth, Moyes first game and only win. Meanwhile, Everton have soared from the periphery of the relegation zone to fighting for a place in European competition next season, and only Manchester City and Liverpool have accumulated more Premier League points, 19 and 24 respectively, than the Toffees’ 17.
Since making the move West Ham have not disappointed in front of goal, Moyes’ side have found the back of the net on 11 occasions. However, their defending has been woeful conceding 15 in eight. Meanwhile, Ancelotti has made Everton the third most prolific team in that period, scoring 14, while they have conceded nine, to emerge with five victories and two draws. The contrast between the two sides could not be franker, and Moyes’ arrival at the London Stadium has left the Hammers with it all to do as they attempt to retain their Premier League status.
Although Everton have left the relegation scrap behind them and are solely focused on looking onwards and upwards, while West Ham United have it all to do to make sure they will feature again in the top-flight next term. Re-appointing Moyes as manager, thus far, has not proven to be a fruitful venture, some Hammers fans may be wishing he was back on Merseyside.
