Everton vs West Ham LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Neal Maupay goal breaks deadlock

For once, David Moyes could not celebrate the most Moyesian of triumphs. Over an 11-year reign at Goodison Park, there was often the sense that when Everton really needed a win, they would find a way to grind one out. It might be ugly, it could be effective and it would probably be 1-0. On the Scot’s return to Merseyside, he was greeted with a familiar outcome. The problem for Moyes was that his West Ham United suffered as a result of the Evertonian graft and grit he used to imbue. They were left rooted in the relegation zone by his own methods.

A reunion was a happier affair for the former Hammer Frank Lampard. A belated first victory means Everton’s start to the season is transformed into a platform. The previous time they claimed three points, against Crystal Palace in May, it secured their survival on a seminal evening that ended with Lampard bouncing up and down on the roof of an executive box. This was not quite of the same proportions but it felt vital nonetheless. It was an endorsement of an overhaul, a sense of justification for Lampard’s rebuilding project.

Everton had shown signs of progress but optimism can only be retained while winless for so long. Now they are unbeaten in five games, with clean sheets in the last two. Neal Maupay was scarcely the most glamorous of signings but his first Everton goal was both well-taken and decisive. While Said Benrahma curled a 20-yard shot against the post, a West Ham squad furnished with £150 million of signings could not respond in kind.

Everton goalscorer Neal Maupay spoke to Sky Sports after the game and said: “It means a lot. The win is the main thing for us. We’ve been playing well and it was just a matter of time. I’m happy for the win and the goal and hopefully we can build on it.

“Always the first touch is the key [for his goal]. We’ve got very good players in midfield and the wings. They make the difference. I have to be there to finish. I’m just happy for the team. It’s been coming. We had a very good week of training and we deserved ti.

“I wouldn’t say I feel under pressure [to score]. I know my job I have to score. That’s why they brought me in. I needed that goal as I haven’t played much last month. I wasn’t playing for Brighton towards the end. It was only my second game of the season. I needed this goal. I’m here to help. I trust my team-mates to put me in the right position to score.”

Everton end a run of seven Premier League matches without a victory. This was their longest wait for their first league victory in a season since 2010/11.

With four points from seven games, West Ham have made their worst start to a Premier League season since 2016/17 (also four points).

Only in 1973/74 have the Hammers had fewer points at this stage of a top-flight campaign (three – assuming three points for a win).

Neal Maupay has ended his longest ever run of Premier League appearances without a goal (12).

The Frenchman has scored in all three of his Premier League starts against West Ham.

90+5 mins: Everton hold on! They pick up a crucial three points against the Hammers at Goodison Park and collect their first win of the season just before the international break.

The win shoots Everton up to 13th and they’ll take two weeks off having made a decent start to the season. West Ham meanwhile remain 18th in the table with four points from seven games leaving David Moyes with questions to answer when the Premier League returns in October.

90+3 mins: Cornet is crowded out on the left wing after Cresswell gives him the ball. Everton work the ball nicely out from the back and get it to Doucoure in midfield.

He looks to play a through ball over to McNeil but Soucek gets a deflection and knocks the ball over to Fabianski.

90 mins: Five added minutes to play at Goodison Park! That’s plenty of time for Everton to secure this win or for West Ham to earn themselves an equaliser.

Salomon Rondon is brought on to replace goalscorer Neal Maupay.

86 mins: Alex Iwobi fires a shot wide of the West Ham goal before Maxwel Cornet is played in at the other end and guides his effort into the side netting.

83 mins: Demarai Gray takes his time sauntering off the pitch as Frank Lampard replaces him with Abdoulaye Doucoure. Amadou Onana picks up a knock and has to limp off the pitch before he can continue.

Everton manage to take a minute or so out of the game. There’s less than 10 minutes to play at Goodison Park. This would be a massive win for Everton if they can close it out.