Credit: Imago and Match of the Day

Richie Mills

Sun 26 April 2026 7:40, UK

Martin Keown could not help but be impressed by the passion, unity, and commitment from West Ham United‘s players in their 2-1 win over Everton.

After a listless first half, Tomas Soucek gave West Ham the lead in the 51st minute, to briefly open up a four-point gap to them and 18th-placed Tottenham.

However, Joao Palhinha’s late goal at Molineux and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s equaliser two minutes from time at London Stadium quietened the Hammers fans.

West Ham were able to regather their composure and Callum Wilson slotted home in second half stoppage-time to secure Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side all three points on Saturday.

Following West Ham’s crucial win over Everton, which maintained their two-point lead over Tottenham, ex-Arsenal defender Keown has explained why the Hammers impressed him in their bid to stay up.

West Ham look unrecognisable

Keown admitted that when West Ham lost to Nottingham Forest in early January, they were seven points from safety, there was a “fractious” atmosphere, and he felt they would get relegated.

Now, though, the contrast could not be more stark. The former England international was particularly impressed by the never-say-die attitude of Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi and fan favourite Soucek.

He said on BBC Match of the Day: “The work rate of the team, the performance, the atmosphere in the stadium, the desire from the players.

“Mavropanos has done well, but Disasi, he was in that bomb squad at Chelsea, this is a West Ham fan on the pitch. This is early on, he’s saying to Barry, ‘I’m in charge here’.

“Soucek, another one, another giant of a man. Gets to it first, really important role he plays in the club. Look at this authority [from Disasi]. The way he responds afterwards, ‘Give me more of this’.

“Some of the defending as well from Soucek, Diouf, and Disasi gets one away, and they are giving everything on that pitch, I love it, I love watching it.

“It’s inspired defending from Soucek [to clear off the line]. You can see them pulling it off now. I never thought they could. It’s all come from the manager, an incredible transformation. The unity in that stadium. The West Ham fans go away feeling hope.”

Nuno deserves a lot of credit for improving West Ham’s fortunes. But there are still four games to go, and plenty can happen.

West Ham home form may be key to survival

Since that Forest defeat at home, West Ham have gone six games unbeaten at London Stadium in the Premier League.

West Ham’s win over Everton was their third home victory since January, and as the season enters its final stretch, Nuno will be pleased that they have two more matches in front of their own fans.

They still only have the 16th-best home form in the Premier League, but upcoming games against table-toppers Arsenal and 15th-placed Leeds United represent an opportunity for points.

West Ham still have to travel to European hopefuls Brentford and out-of-form Newcastle United, as this relegation battle looks set to go down to the wire.