Ten-man Everton threw away a 2-0 lead in the final ten minutes to lose 3-2 to West Ham United at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.
They took an early lead through Romelo Lukaku but had their game turned upside down by Kevin Mirallas’ first-half dismissal. They still managed to add a second but a Lukaku missed penalty was the real turning point, as West Ham went on to score three in the final 12 minutes to secure a memorable three points.
The hosts brought John Stones back into their starting eleven. Gareth Barry was the man to make way as Roberto Martinez opted for three at the back.
West Ham’s only change from the side that beat Spurs was the introduction of Reece Oxford for the injured James Collins.
The game started at a fast pace and passions immediately boiled over as Adrian and Lukaku went face-to-face inside the first five minutes.
West Ham had the first chance of the match through Dimitri Payet after eight minutes, but it was Everton who struck the opener.
Bryan Oviedo was the provider; his perfect pass allowed Lukuku to spin Reece Oxford and expertly drill the ball into the net off the far post. Adrian had little chance.
The two sides were evenly pegged for the next twenty minutes, but there was another dramatic twist just after the half hour mark as Kevin Mirallas was sent off for two yellows.
His first booking was for simulation and the second was for a very late challenge on Aaron Cresswell.
In the second half ten-man Everton started to sit deeper in a bid to protect their lead, but they needn’t have worried as they managed to double their advantage in the 56th minute through Aaron Lennon.
The ex-Spurs man played a lovely one-two with Lukaku on the edge of the area, then poked home past a helpless Adrian.
They could have added a third with twenty minutes to go after the referee awarded a penalty for Alex Song’s trip on Muhamed Besic, but Lukaku’s spot kick was well saved.
The missed kick proved to be very costly.
West Ham pulled the first back in the 78th minute. Mark Noble swung in a cross from the left flank, and Michail Antonio was on hand to head in at the back post.
Two minutes they found the equaliser. The goal once again came via a cross, but this time is was Diafra Sakho’s head on the end of Payet’s ball.
In the 89th minute the stunning turnaround was complete. Dimitri Payet picked up a loose ball before firing perfectly past Robles. The goal was met with a chorus of boos inside the ground.
The result means Everton stay 11th on 38 points. West Ham made it six points from six and moved ahead of Man United and into fifth place.
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Next up for Everton is a home tie against Chelsea in the FA Cup. Their next league game is against Arsenal on Marth 19th.
West Ham are away at Man Utd in the cup before they face Chelsea in the league.