West Ham head to Everton looking to build on their first win of 2024 but the Premier League may have put a spanner in the works.
There has not been much to celebrate for West Ham and Everton over the last couple of months.
But there has been this week for David Moyes’ current side and his old club too.
West Ham picked up a first win of 2024 at the ninth attempt with a 4-2 victory over Brentford at the London Stadium on Monday night.
Meanwhile Everton have been lifted up to the heady heights of 15th in the Premier League table.
Momentum spanner in the works for West Ham
That’s after an unprecedented five-point weekend thanks to a draw at Brighton and the rescinding of four of the 10-point penalty imposed on the Toffees by the Premier League.
Ahead of the visit of West Ham to Goodison Park that has put Sean Dyche’s side five points clear of the drop zone.
The Hammers will be looking to build some momentum now.
But there’s an official nightmare for West Ham in Premier League announcements ahead of Everton.
Premier League announcements give Everton a boost
Not only will Dyche’s side and the crowd have their tails up after the Premier League announced they have handed back four points to Everton.
But it has also been confirmed that Craig Pawson will be the referee for the game.
While West Ham’s players were just as bad, Pawson infuriated fans with his handling of the recent 6-0 drubbing to Arsenal.
Hammers fans felt Pawson did not give them a single decision all game as Arsenal got up a head of steam and ran riot.
Many West Ham fans felt it was one of the most one-sided refereeing performances for many years.
Ironically Hammers supporters had welcomed the fact Pawson was put in charge of that Arsenal clash.
Hammers fans were furious with Pawson
Because he was on VAR duty when allowing West Ham’s opening goal to stand in the 2-0 win in the reverse fixture at Arsenal at the end of December.
With the way Dyche’s Everton side play it will need a strong referee at Goodison Park.
A penny for Moyes’ thoughts, though, after landing Pawson again.
It’s certainly clear what West Ham fans will be thinking of the appointment.
Marc Perry and Steve Meredith will be Pawson’s assistants for the Saturday clash.
Tony Harrington will be on VAR duty assisted by Gary Beswick.
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