Match Report by @WestHamAmerican

West Ham ended a disappointing season on a high note as they defeated Everton on the final day of the 2017-18 Premier League season in a resounding victory before their home fans at the London Stadium. A pair of goals by Manuel Lanzini and once by Marko Arnautovic were more than enough compared to the lone corner kick goal by Oumar Niasse for the Hammers to take three points and end their season in the 13th spot of the league.

In the early going, West Ham showed the most enthusiasm on their attack. Both Jordan Pickford and Adrian had tough moments in this match, but Adrian had the better end of the score sheet. Midway through the opening half Lanzini picked up a through ball and slotted it beyond Pickford’s reach to open up the day’s scoring.

The second half, Arnautovic sought to grow his score sheet records for the season, as he blasted a shot from beyond the area that Pickford could not handle. The 63rd minute goal put the hosts in good shape against an Everton side that were without Wayne Rooney and hadn’t been able to piece together much.

Everton did try to claw back into the match as Niasse took hold of a poorly defended corner and the Senegalese forward was able to turn and shot from four yards out.

But with only moments remaining, between great saves from Adrian and Lanzini’s 82nd minute strike into the top bins, West Ham finally gave the London Stadium supporters a good run, earning seven points out of the final three league matches. Whether this is James Collin’s final match in a West Ham kit, or David Moye’s final match on the touchline will be revealed in the coming weeks, but credit to all for pulling this club out of the bottom of the table. This roster is far too talented to even be in the bottom five, but the team found a way to safety, when other seemingly stable clubs found their way to the Championship league next season.

What is both frightening and frustrating for West Ham supporters is that this team has just as good odds to challenge for Europe next season as it does get relegated. The summer transfer business vital, but also determining what coaching style works for this roster. Those two things along with sorting many of the PR issues surrounding the London Stadium will give the board and their staff a challenging summer. But at least the current squad was able to manage an enjoyable final week of play for fans who have endured a lot of poor football this year.

Please check TheWestHamWay.co.uk daily for our latest transfer news. Ex will have reports before the football media has it, so stay tuned all summer long.

West Ham: Adrian, Cresswell, Masuaku, Zabaleta, Ogbonna, Rice, Noble, Kouyate, Mario, Lanzini, Arnautovic.

Subs: Hart, Evra, Collins (88’), Obiang (86’), Fernandes (21’), Hernandez, Carroll

Everton: Pickford, Baines, Coleman, Keane, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Gueye, Schneiderlin, Davies, Niasse, Tosun.

Subs: Robles, Bolasie (83’), Walcott (61’), Martina, Klaassen (45’), Holgate, Kenny