Anjishnu Roy 16/03/2025 9comments  |  Jump to last

Everton have Jake O’Brien to thank for protecting their unbeaten run in the league that has been extended to nine games - their longest since February 2017. The Irish defender, who earned a senior call-up to the national side this week, headed home his second goal in three matches to draw 1-1 with West Ham at Goodison Park.

The Blues left it late and showed plenty of resilience to level proceedings despite going down to Tomas Soucek’s opener in the second half. It proved to be a cagey affair with David Moyes’ side not managing to be efficient in the final third of the pitch.

However, in the dying minutes of the game, Carlos Alcaraz’s floated ball found Idrissa Gana Gueye’s rune at the far post. The veteran midfielder met it with a half-volley and directed it goalwards and the ball was turned into the back of the net by O’Brien with a rising header.

“We just flooded the box with the bodies. We were chasing the game a bit and it was a good ball in. Gana put a good ball into me and I'm happy I'm on the end of it,” O’Brien said after the match.

This was O’Brien’s second equaliser in recent weeks. He had also found the back of the net against Brentford to take a point away from home. Speaking on Everton’s recent series of draws, the 23-year-old admitted that some of those matches could’ve been turned into wins. While the players are happy to protect their unbeaten status, he also said that Everton are pushing to rack up more wins.

“I think the last couple of games we've got draws but we could have turned them into wins. We're unbeaten but I think we need to start adding a bit more points as well because they want to get a point for each. We'll be looking to climb the table”

 

Reader Comments (9)

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Christy Ring
1 Posted 16/03/2025 at 15:14:38
A superb performance from O'Brien again, still scratching my head on why Dyche never gave him a chance?
Mike Gaynes
2 Posted 16/03/2025 at 16:18:57
Speaking of resilience, Jake has shown more than a little of that himself. Stepping up so professionally after being abandoned on the bench for months speaks well for his confidence and cojones. He's shown good pace and poise on the ball. I believe he's in line for a long and successful career for us.

Anjishnu, you've twice described Gana's brilliant pass as a half-volley, but it wasn't. No touch on the ground was involved. It was a full volley.

Jim Bennings
3 Posted 16/03/2025 at 17:22:25
If Dyche was still here we all know Young would still be playing 90 minutes and O'Brien would be on the bench twiddling his thumbs.

Amazing how two minds have such a different perception and how Dyche didn't deem Jake as an option boggles my own mind.

It almost feels like when we had Joleon Lescott at left back again, the most unimaginable fullback you could think of but he was absolutely fantastic there and made a mockery of it.

Andrew Merrick
4 Posted 16/03/2025 at 17:26:02
Off topic..
Carraghers face at ht, wasp swallowed...
Liam Mogan
5 Posted 16/03/2025 at 17:28:18
Moyes' utilisation of O'Brien has been the most pleasing thing for me these last few months.

The fact that Moyes has talked about teaching Jake the position is revealing. I find that a lot a coaches simply don't do this (I saw no evidence of it under Dyche) and almost expect players 'to know'.

Players who are always willing to listen and learn are generally the ones who get the most out of their ability.

Robert Birks
6 Posted 16/03/2025 at 17:40:22
How about utilising him like Skunks use Dan Burn at corners etc
Liam Mogan
7 Posted 16/03/2025 at 17:44:37
100% Robert. Would like to see some evidence of what Charlie Adam has been employed to do. Seen nothing imo.
Andrew Merrick
8 Posted 16/03/2025 at 17:54:23
Jakes got a good head on him, we need goals from every department, and the lads spot on
Hugh Jenkins
9 Posted 16/03/2025 at 18:11:39
Christy (1) - He was probably a Thelwell signing so Dyche wouldn't use him unless he had to.

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