Everton suffer new cruel twist as call shows how rules are going against them

The final 20 minutes of the Merseyside derby may prove to be the defining point in Everton’s season.

Virgil van Dijk’s late winner was a source of short-term agony but the way that game ended threatens to cause longer-term damage. That much was clear in this 2-1 defeat at West Ham United, where the absence of Beto and Jarrad Jarrad Branthwaite - two players unavailable due to injuries picked up in the closing stages against Liverpool - was keenly felt at both ends of the pitch.

Everton’s limitations were a source of frustration at the London Stadium as David Moyes’ European ambitions were dealt another blow by a second costly stoppage time goal in six days.

It could have been different. When Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made the net bulge in front of the away end with two minutes of normal time to go, the Blues were in the ascendancy.

While there was work to do to find three points, the midfielder’s effort looked like it was another victory for the resilience that has powered the progress of Everton this season.

Suddenly a stadium ready to erupt in celebration was caught in the grip of anxiety and the visitors were the side with the momentum.

That was ripped from them when Callum Wilson, yet again, struck a decisive goal against the Blues. El Hadji Malick Diouf’s cross from the left was kept alive at the back post by Jarrod Bowen, whose header fell into the path of the substitute.

It was the latest cruel twist in a difficult week for Everton and another example of the injuries that might prove costly.

Balls into the box caused issues for the Blues defence, who went behind just after the break when Tomas Soucek headed in from a corner.

Just like in the 99th minute last week and the 93rd minute in east London, Everton were unable to cope with a good cross. Beto and Branthwaite bring valuable qualities in their own right but their presence when defending corners is significant and their team have missed it at key points in successive games.

Had the Blues left with a point it still would have felt like a missed opportunity at West Ham even if - like at Brentford - the manner in which they earned it would have been a source of inspiration for the challenges to come.

The away side could have been forgiven for expecting to come under siege in the first half given the desperation of the Hammers’ plight. Instead, the opening 45 minutes was subdued in the stands and on the pitch as both teams played as though they were too afraid to lose to gamble on attempting to seize a result of enormous value.

Everton, with the exception of the threat posed by Crysencio Summerville, were comfortable in the first half and failed to exploit two glorious chances on the counter.

First, Dwight McNeil’s cross dropped behind Thierno Barry, who could not contort enough to finish. Then, Dewsbury-Hall was unable to find the run of Barry as he looked set to break through on goal.

There was, then, encouragement to take into the second half - only for it to be shattered when Soucek met Bowen’s cross.

It took too long for the Blues to switch gears and put West Ham under pressure but once they did, the nerves quickly appeared. Substitutes Tyrique George and Tim Iroegbunam brought energy and there were celebrations among the home defence when the latter’s dangerous cross was cleared by Axel Disasi when Barry was lurking.

The recalled striker, who started despite Moyes suggesting he had an alternative plan in the build up to the game, almost had the goal he craved moments later when he met George’s cross from the left. His effort was on target but hit Soucek and then bounced off the bar.

As if to confirm that nothing will fall their way in this vital part of the season, referee Stuart Attwell denied calls for a late penalty in the latest confusing decision to go against Everton.

Mateus Fernandes charged at Barry in the home box and in the process of wrapping his arms around the forward pushed the bouncing ball out of play with his hands.

It was a bizarre call over an incident Nuno Espirito Santo admitted had caused him to fear the worst. Like Dewsbury-Hall’s denied penalty appeal last week, it was a reminder of how the rules and the language they are written in can be bent and twisted to work against the Blues.

Unfortunately, a questionable penalty call was not the only reminder of the blows suffered against Liverpool on a disappointing day in the capital.