West Ham remain in peril after home draw with Everton

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Everton - London Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Everton's Djibril Sidibe in action with West Ham United's Manuel Lanzini Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

West Ham United remained mired in relegation danger after they could only draw 1-1 with a rejuvenated Everton side in the so-called 'David Moyes derby' at the London Stadium on Saturday.

A scrappy first half low in quality burst into life just before halftime when Issa Diop headed in a Robert Snodgrass free kick to put the hosts in front.

But Everton's response was immediate and Lucas Digne's corner was flicked on by Mason Holgate and Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed in at the far post for his 11th goal of the season.

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Everton - London Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 West Ham United's Arthur Masuaku in action with Everton's Fabian Delph Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

West Ham manager Moyes, formerly the long-serving boss of Everton, has lifted the spirits since returning for a second stint in charge of the struggling Hammers.

That did not stop some fans staging a protest before kickoff about the running of the club, 10 years after it was bought by David Sullivan and David Gold.

Moyes, who saved West Ham from the drop in 2017-18 after replacing Slaven Bilic, knows he faces another scrap, especially when they struggle so often at home and fail to build on leads.

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Everton - London Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 West Ham United's Angelo Ogbonna in action REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

They have now dropped 17 points from winning positions this season, more than other side in the top flight, and remain only one point above the relegation zone while his old club are 11th.

"I think every point is important in this league. I thought we created one or two good chances but I thought it was even between the two sides," Moyes said.

"I thought the two or three minutes after we scored, we were slow to react and it looked like we were trying to play out to halftime and that left us very open."

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Everton - London Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring their first goal with Moise Kean Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

While West Ham continue to flirt with danger, Everton's resurgence, begun by Duncan Ferguson as caretaker manager after Marco Silva's sacking, continues under Carlo Ancelotti.

"It's a good point," Italian Ancelotti said. "We did not play well first half, second half was better."

West Ham keeper Darren Randolph, who returned to the club this week from Middlesbrough, said that despite the loss of two points, there were plenty of positives.

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Everton - London Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Everton's Yerry Mina in action with West Ham United's Arthur Masuaku Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

"We were very solid and we limited their chances. We created a lot of chances in the first half. We are disappointed not to get the win," he said.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar and Christian Radnedge)

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Everton - London Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Everton's Jordan Pickford in action Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Everton - London Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Everton's Djibril Sidibe in action with West Ham United's Manuel Lanzini Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Everton - London Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Everton - London Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Everton - London Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Everton - London Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 West Ham United's Issa Diop scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Everton - London Stadium, London, Britain - January 18, 2020 Everton's Jordan Pickford in action REUTERS/Eddie Keogh