Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Sat 25 April 2026 18:10, UK

Nuno Espirito Santo was spared on Saturday as his West Ham United side beat Everton 2-1 at the London Stadium.

The Hammers left it late on a day when three points were essential, with Callum Wilson scoring a late winner to keep Nuno’s side out of the bottom three.

Thomas Soucek had given the hosts the lead before half-time, but Everton fought back in the closing stages and levelled through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

The fight and never-say-die attitude have become synonymous with West Ham under Nuno, and they needed both again as they battled to stay above Tottenham.

The outlook, however, could have been very different had Wilson not rescued his side in stoppage time.

Nuno Espirito Santo substitutions has to be questioned

Leading for the majority of the second half, the Hammers were on track for three points.

Though, the mentality had completely shifted, with the Irons dropping off and dropping off.

As the bout entered its closing stages, Nuno was clearly trying to protect West Ham’s lead.

It nearly backfired. Everton’s equaliser came during a spell in which the hosts sat passive out of possession – a phase Tony Gale, on world feed commentary, branded “stupidity”.

Freddie Potts replaced the lively Taty Castellanos, while Jean-Clair Todibo was introduced to form a back five.

A moment of brilliance from Dewsbury-Hall drew Everton level in the 88th minute, and Nuno’s side had only themselves to blame for the pressure they invited.

Wilson’s late strike then sent the London Stadium into raptures, though the mood would look very different had the veteran forward not produced his moment.

West Ham showed the perfect mental strength once again

It was not a pretty performance, but the East London club again showed the fight and desire that have lifted them clear of the drop zone.

Those qualities have defined Nuno’s tenure, with the players clearly responding to his guidance.

And they may yet be what keeps West Ham up before the Portuguese looks to take the club back towards the heights reached during his spells with Wolves and Nottingham Forest.

This current Irons squad is not the most talented in comparison to the one flying high in Europe, nor is it deep.

But Nuno has galvanised West Ham, and the never-say-die attitude has been a crucial factor in the 2026 turnaround.

Come May, not many will remember the performance against Everton, but the three points could just prove to be the haul that made the big difference in the battle for survival.