A look at some of the talking points beyond the headlines of Everton’s draw with West Ham United
Everton’s home draw with West Ham United may have been a mid-table clash between two teams fighting for little more than pride, but there remained plenty of intrigue around this game.
Both managers were talking points going into this fixture, with Everton having had an interest in Graham Potter before they appointed former West Ham United boss David Moyes to his second stint in the Goodison dugout.
From the stands to the press room, here are some other highlights beyond the headlines in this 1-1 draw.
READ MORE: Extraordinary week for the new face of Everton’s academy ends in spectacular styleREAD MORE: Graham Potter blown away by Everton supporters and gives classy Goodison Park farewell speech
Graham Potter and the press room stunned into action
Goodison Park’s media room was busy with post-match reports being completed when Graham Potter’s arrival for his post-match press conference was announced. When news of his presence came it left everyone startled as the security guard bellowed out confirmation the “away team manager” had entered the room – his words so loud they made everyone, including Potter, jump in surprise.
“Sorry guys. Jesus, that scared me to death,” Potter proclaimed as he took his seat before sharing a joke with the ECHO’s Chris Beesley about whether the staff member had previous for being a town crier. “Everyone is focused now though,” he joked as he scanned the room before speaking of his respect for Goodison Park and the Everton supporters after the Blues snatched a stoppage time equaliser.
Moyes applauds every stand on final whistle
Both sets of supporters had reason to be enamoured with their rivals’ manager in the aftermath of this closely-fought match-up. David Moyes had, of course, achieved European success with West Ham United, and at the end of this game he stepped onto the pitch and approached the away end to show his appreciation for them.
Moyes clapped the travelling fanbase (and, of course, his own), and later said: “The West Ham supporters have been really, really good to me over the years. There were many times we’ve been in Europe where they were fantastic and I wanted to show my respect to them because I think they’ve been very good to me. They gave me a great send off when I left West Ham, so they deserve to be acknowledged.”
Why Lucas Paqueta lingered for so long
Another figure who spent time clapping on the Goodison pitch was West Ham star Lucas Paqueta. The Brazil international was taken off in the 83rd minute with his side a goal ahead and him on a yellow card.
The 27-year-old lingered on his departure, providing a source of frustration for home supporters who wanted Everton to have time to fashion a late equaliser. Yet Paqueta’s slow exit may well have been about more than mere time-wasting.
The attacking midfielder has been accused of breaching betting rules and his case is reportedly set to be held during the international break. While he denies the claims, the Football Association is believed to have called for a lifetime ban should they be upheld. At the very least, this was his last performance before an emotional couple of weeks that will be pivotal to his career.
Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrated in Park End display
The Park End was resplendent in the spring sunshine on Saturday afternoon, with the latest work of the 1878s on show. The supporter organisation’s efforts led to an incredible flag and banner display when the players emerged to the sound of Z-Cars and there were a few new faces celebrated alongside some Everton icons.
Both current midfielders Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure had their faces emblazoned on flags, the pair joining the likes of Duncan Ferguson, Brian Labone and Kevin Campbell in being celebrated. Doucoure took to social media on Sunday to share images of his banner in the crowd and cheered: “Thank you for the flag! Much appreciated.”
A mystery unfolding in the Bullens
Away from football-related matters, there is now a new mystery unfolding in the final months before Everton’s first team leave Goodison Park. For years the skeleton of a long-perished bird has cast its eerie silhouette over the Bullens Road. Now, it appears to have been removed and replaced by a poster featuring a big blue question mark. The development has got supporters talking – including over whether a curse over the club has now been lifted, something that would correspond with the ongoing unbeaten streak.
