The last reconnaissance article of Gameweek 6 deals with a Monday evening match that did not scream ‘classic’ from the start – and it met his invoicing.
However, there was more intrigues in this competition than normal, with Nuno Espirito Santo for the first time taking the lead over West Ham United.
Nuno keeps it simple
Above: West Ham’s Start XI, via the BBC
This was our first glance at Nuno’s West Ham … but not really.
Just like Ange Postecoglou did in his first match as Nottingham Forest Boss when he had hardly followed any team training, the Incoming Hammers head coach kept it simple.
“Two training sessions, we try to keep it simple. This is not the time to make major changes. More important is that the team is compact and organized; this was the most important message.
‘[What impact do I think I can have after two training sessions?] Not much, not much, but I think the players understand that we have to make things differently, we should not leave a team that is more organized. “-Nuno Espirito Santo, who speaks before the kick -off
This was in fact a Graham Potter side -but a Graham Potter side short James Ward-Prowse (£ 5.8 million). Nuno explained before the kick -off that the midfielder was omitted for tactical reasons; Remember that Ward-Prowse did not win his ‘new’ manager at Forest in a fateful loan saying.
Defense to improve?
However, Nuno is already making sounds (see above) about more “compact and organized”. Those were the similar types of comments he would make in Forest, which in 2024/25 had an excellent defensive record.
It was not beautiful, nor was it convincing (the hammers were the second best in the first hour), but Everton was reduced to 0.73 xg on Monday, so it was a normal-over-fitting start at the back.
A well -known weakness that Nuno will really have to iron is to defend set games/air balls. Michael Keane‘s (£ 4.5 million) goal came from a recycled corner, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£ 5.0 million) and Beto (£ 5.4 million) should probably have been scored with headers.
Eight goals are now admitted by the hammers of set pieces this season, by far the worst record in the division.
However, do not expect a quick solution from Nuno.
“Simple. Don’t change too much, too many things. I think when you arrive in a club, it’s about being progressive, trying to find the right options and solutions.” – Nuno Espirito Santo about what he intends to change this week
Summerville + Diouf clear sparks as Bowen scores again
Jarrod Bowen (£ 7.7 million) has made a career by scoring many goals for average parties. He is working on it again this year and already emphasizes three in 2025/26. His last came on Monday, via a deflection from Keane’s head.
However, the more striking displays, however, came from the left flank. El Hadji Diouf (£ 4.4 million) Teed up assist number four of the season when crossing Bowen (again, via a Keane Head), with his combination game with Crysensio Summerville (£ 5.5 million) eye -catching in the second half.
Summerville was perhaps the best player in the hammers. He had so much fine -box stretches (seven) and shots (three) as bowen, one of which he should have converted when he held on an underhit Jake O’Brien (£ 5.0 million) On the way to the back pass.
One to look in the Nuno era -but it will be Diouf that really appeals if the new West Ham -boss can add clean sheets to its assists.
Dewsbury-Hall ban
Dewsbury-Hall became the first Premier League player to reach five yellow cards for the season on Monday evening. This last caution was ridiculous, received after the budget midfielder won the ball.
As a result of the booking, he will be banned for Everton’s Gameweek 7 -collision with Crystal Palace.
“He played very, very well. He has been a great signature and started the season really good for us. Getting goals and making goals, let us play much better, I have to say, and we will miss him.” -David Moyes on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Colleague £ 5.0 million midfielder James Garner Banked an assist for Keane’s goal. He also had a game-high five shots, although the three in the box were his first such attempts from 2025/26.
James Tarkowski (£ 5.5 million) failed to reach the Defcon threshold for the first time this season and Garner could not build on his 3/5 record; Keane was the only toffees who managed it here.
All in all, this was another Everton competition in which their lack of a convincing ‘nine’ is all too clear. Beto started and was bad again while Thierno Barry (£ 5.8 million) was not much better.
Flair on the flanks is one thing, but a shortage of goals, or even only presence, can seriously undermine the entire operation at the top.
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