Moyes rues Everton's lack of clinical edge in West Ham draw

David Moyes was left to rue Everton's lack of clinical edge in the final third after being held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham at Hill Dickinson Stadium. 

Moyes watched on against his former side as Everton's early dominance was rewarded in the 18th minute through Michael Keane's brilliant header beyond the grasp of Alphonse Areola. 

Indeed, Keane's opener was Everton’s 361st headed goal in the Premier League – no team has scored more in the competition's history (level with Manchester United).

Iliman Ndiaye and Beto had earlier tested visiting goalkeeper Areola before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall tried his luck as the Toffees entered the break in the ascendancy. 

But apart from Idrissa Gueye's speculative effort four minutes after the restart, Everton were unable to generate any clear-cut chances, with West Ham improving from there on. 

The Hammers came close to finding an equaliser through Crysencio Summerville after a mistake from Jake O'Brien, but Jordan Pickford was on hand to deny the Dutchman. 

However, West Ham's persistence was rewarded in the 65th minute through Jarrod Bowen's fine equaliser, which marked the first goal of the Nuno Espirito Santo era. 

And though James Garner's stinging strike was repelled by Areola late on, Everton needed a last-ditch tackle from James Tarkowski to deny Bowen at the other end. 

Everton finished with an expected goals (xG) total of just 0.73 from their 12 shots, compared to West Ham's 1.17 from their 14 attempts after an improved second-half display. 

"We played some decent stuff at times, we got a goal but we couldn't get a second one, which would have been all important," Moyes told BBC Sport.

"We did a lot of good things, but we just couldn't quite craft a chance to get a second goal. Once we didn't get it, West Ham grew in confidence and belief that they could get something themselves, which they did.

"Some good things and some not so good things but West Ham have talented players so it was always going to be a tough game for us."

But Everton's profligacy in the final third was not through a lack of effort, with Jack Grealish creating four chances for his team-mates against West Ham. 

No player has created more chances than the Manchester City loanee in the Premier League this season (17), but they were unable to find the finishing touch throughout. 

Everton are now without a win in their last four games in all competitions, following their derby-day defeat to Liverpool and EFL Cup exit to Wolves last week. 

It was their second consecutive draw at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Bowen's strike the first time they have conceded in competitive action at their new stadium since their switch from Goodison Park. 

Moyes' men welcome unbeaten Crystal Palace to Merseyside this Sunday, and while still getting used to their new surroundings, the Everton boss expressed the need for improvements.

"It's certainly one we are more familiar with, but we want to win. Our record here at the moment has been good enough, we want to keep it going," Moyes added.

"We started the season well. We want to raise expectations, but we can't forget that we have a long journey to go, and we are just at the start of it."