One star made West Ham fans eat their words on his full debut while Nuno Espirito Santo lit a fire under this team in his first Premier League outing as Hammers boss at Everton.

West Ham fans have been through a lot over the last two years.

The drop-off from the Hammers – who were sixth in the Premier League after a 2-0 win at Arsenal on December 28th 2023 – has been astonishing.

Since that victory against the Gunners heading into 2024, West Ham have won just 17 of 63 Premier League matches under four managers.

It is the reason Nuno Espirito Santo is now the man at the Hammers helm, replacing axed Graham Potter just 48 hours before the trip to Everton.

West Ham fans had already been impressed by Nuno.

Firstly because it emerged a key reason Potter was sacked so abruptly was due to Nuno insisting he wanted to take the challenge of West Ham’s tough back-to-back away clashes at Everton and Arsenal head on.

Nuno finally puts some fire in the belly at West Ham

That was despite not even having his own backroom staff in place.

Then came Nuno’s first interview where he stated it is time for the team to give the fans something instead of calling on the supporters to back the team.

Promising ‘hell’ for the opposition once he gets the Hammers playing his way had fans revved up for the trip to Everton.

Then Nuno’s side delivered where it mattered with a superb second half performance which saw Jarrod Bowen secure a point which could have been all three had Niclas Fullkrug been anywhere near the races.

The point gives something for West Ham and Nuno to build on.

And one West Ham star made fans eat their words on his debut as Nuno finally put some fire into the bellies of these players.

Nuno was the first to admit after the game that the Hammers still have plenty of work to do to get to the levels he demands.

But there was plenty to like, even in the first half where West Ham conceded from a corner phase yet again.

Here’s our player ratings for West Ham’s draw at Everton:

Alphonse Areola, 8.5/10: Nuno was a top goalkeeper as a player, winning the Champions League under Jose Mourinho at Porto. So his view on West Ham’s goalkeeper situation will be an informed one. Nuno stuck with Alphonse Areola and he did not disappoint. The Frenchman was excellent, making a host of very good gathers from low drilled shots which would have been dangerous had he spilled them away from his body. This is more like it.

Kyle Walker-Peters, 7.5/10: Up against the Premier League’s form player in Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker-Peters played really well. He also showed the kind of passion and desire West Ham fans love, celebrating tackles and blocks. Defensively sound and good going forward too, it will be interesting to see whether Aaron Wan-Bissaka gets straight back in on his return.

West Ham star Magassa makes fans eat words on debut

Konstantinos Mavropanos, 5/10: This was a typical Konstantinos Mavropanos West Ham performance. Mostly good but a fatal mistake which cost the team a goal yet again. At 6ft 5in and built like a Greek god, Mavropanos has everything to be a commanding, dominant centre-back in the Premier League. Nuno has his work cut out to polish his game.

Max Kilman, 8/10: This is more like the Max Kilman that impressed Hammers fans when he arrived for that hefty £40m fee from Wolves. Having worked under Nuno there, West Ham fans are hopeful the new boss can get the best out of Kilman. This was a good start as he looked a lot more focused, determined and aggressive.

El Hadji Malick Diouf, 9.5/10: As close as it gets to a perfect performance from a left-back. El Hadji Malick Diouf is one of the Premier League signings of the season. His lung-busting run to beat two Everton players and unbelievable cross at pace was breath-taking. It created the chance for Bowen to score the equaliser and Diouf was undeniably the best player on the pitch. He is perfect for the way Nuno likes to play and it’s no surprise that the Portuguese was trying to sign him at Forest in the summer. Thank goodness he did not succeed because West Ham would be doomed without him.

Soungoutou Magassa, 7/10: This was the perfect example of writing someone off too soon. Soungoutou Magassa impressed with a cameo sub appearance in defeat to Spurs. But when he struggled in the next game against Palace, Hammers fans were highly critical of him on social media. Magassa is a French Under 21 international and a defensive, ball-playing midfielder who can also play centre-back. When he struggled initially on his full debut at Everton, many supporters were quick to write him off again on social media. But it is clear for all to see Magassa reads the game brilliantly well and is composed on the ball. He grew into the game and was key to the result. Nuno took him off as he was on a yellow card but those who had written him off were left red-faced and apologising by the end of the game. Once he fully adjusts to the pace of the Premier League, Magassa will be some player in that defensive shield role. And he showed he can get up the pitch too.

West Ham’s new Holy Trinity give hope

Mateus Fernandes, 6.5/10: Bundle of energy Mateus Fernandes is going to be a key player for West Ham in a Nuno team. He did not have his best game at Everton but worked his socks off at both ends of the pitch and was tigerish in the tackle and closing players down. More to come from the Portuguese with time and another who is well suited to the new manager.

Lucas Paqueta, 6/10: Constantly looking to get on the ball and make things happen even when the team are struggling – which is the real ‘West Ham way’. So Lucas Paqueta deserves credit for that. He is so frustrating to watch at times, though, failing to execute that final pass which will unlock a goal. Worked hard for the team but needs to produce more going forward.

Crysencio Summerville, 9/10: Sky Sports’ man of the match and a close-run thing with Diouf for that honour. Crysencio Summerville is going to hold the key to West Ham’s fortunes as part of the new Holy Trinity with Diouf and Bowen. A top Forest journalist said Nuno would make Summerville world class at West Ham. Now we see why.

Jarrod Bowen, 7.5/10: Not Bowen’s best game by any stretch of the imagination but his goal was inevitable as soon as he got into that position. Bowen is West Ham’s best ever Premier League player and continues to lead by example. Another who will thrive in Nuno’s system. What a player.

Niclas Fullkrug, 3/10: Three out of 10 feels generous for the abomination that West Ham fans had to sit through from Fullkrug. Slow, immobile, second to nearly every ball and well off the pace, Fullkrug cost West Ham a victory at Everton. He takes so long to sort his feet out in the box that the chances go. He would have struggled to play in the Premier League in his prime as a younger player. Now, at nearly 33, it is just a non-starter. Fullkrug is trying and working hard – but he just doesn’t look up to it. Hammers fans are hoping Nuno can turn Fullkrug into West Ham’s answer to Chris Wood. But he just looks wooden. West Ham’s first order of business on January 1st must be to sign a pacy, young striker, something that should have been their top priority in the summer.

Substitutes:

Freddie Potts, 8/10: Well wasn’t this worth the wait? Potter should hang his head in shame that this is the first time we’ve seen Freddie Potts for any period of note this season. Especially after starting the Academy graduate all through pre-season. A midfielder who can get around the pitch, is comfortable on the ball and can pass and Nuno has spotted it in two training sessions. Potts was superb in his time on the pitch with shades of Rice about his play in a defensive sense. Potts tackled Grealish more than the rest of the team combined during his brilliant cameo.

Luis Guilherme, 6/10: A willing runner, Luis Guilherme showed his pace and what he might bring to the team as he is another who suits Nuno’s approach down to the ground. He is a touch weak still, though, and once he develops some power in his play would be a completely different animal. That day is more likely to come – and more quickly – under Nuno which is very encouraging.

Andy Irving and Igor Julio, NA/: Not on long enough for a rating as only brought on to waste time.