There was bitter irony for David Moyes as one of his best ever signings put in a 10/10 display in West Ham’s crucial 2-1 win over Everton – getting Nuno Espirito Santo out of a hole in the process.

Nuno Espirito Santo has done a marvellous job to turn West Ham around since January.

But many West Ham fans were not happy with the Portuguese’s tactics as the Hammers sat back and settled for a point at Crystal Palace on Monday night.

Supporters felt it was a huge opportunity missed against a Palace side who were there for the taking as they missed key players and had their minds on their forthcoming European semi-final.

Irony as Moyes’ best ever West Ham signings see off Everton

The only way for West Ham to make that Palace point a good one was to go and beat Everton on David Moyes’ return to the London Stadium.

That’s exactly what they did, although some would argue in spite of Nuno.

Who was YOUR MOTM vs Everton and why? 🎉🎉🎉

And there was a layer of irony to Everton’s defeat as it was largely thanks to Moyes’ best ever West Ham signings Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen.

The Scot signed super Tommy Soucek and Bowen for a combined £35m in the same January window back in 2020. They are comfortably the best value for money signings in modern West Ham history.

The pair have been the club’s best and most consistent players ever since.

Soucek has been the bane of Everton’s lives both before and since Moyes left the London Stadium to return to Merseyside.

Moyes names Soucek and Bowen among the best ever signings of his career as a manager and even credited them with his OBE.

The big Czech put in his best all-round performance of the season as he scored West Ham’s first and was hands down the man of the match.

Bowen was quieter but added to his phenomenal record for West Ham with two more assists.

Super Soucek, Bowen and Wilson get Nuno off the hook with Hammers fans

First he laid on Soucek’s header from a brilliantly whipped corner to put the Hammers 1-0 up.

Then Bowen coolly nodded down for Callum Wilson to net a late winner after Everton had equalised.

Has Tomas Soucek silenced his doubters for good with THAT Everton goal?

Not a bad way to celebrate Prem start number 200…

With Spurs narrowly beating Wolves 1-0, West Ham had to win to avoid slipping back into the relegation zone at the expense of their bitter rivals.

They managed to cling on despite a late scare and it was Soucek and Bowen, Moyes’ best buys, who put their old boss to the sword.

They, and poacher Wilson, also helped their current manager avoid more fan anger over his tactics and substitutions.

Nuno had his team sitting far too deep and inviting pressure which eventually told when the Toffees equalised.

He got away with it this time, though, as West Ham secured what could be one of their most vital wins in years.

The Hammers can now pile pressure on Spurs by beating Brentford next Saturday and going five points clear.

Tottenham then have to go to Champions League chasing Aston Villa on the Sunday.

Other notable West Ham performances came from Axel Disasi and Konstantinos Mavropanos, who were both rock solid yet again for the most part.

Kyle Walker-Peters was excellent while Crysencio Summerville huffed and puffed and Mateus Fernandes controlled the midfield battle.

Crucially the victory means West Ham’s survival fate remains in their own hands with four games to go.

The wins may also just keep Nottingham Forest in the mix too.

West Ham player ratings vs Everton:

Hermansen: 9/10, Walker-Peters: 8.5/10, Mavropanos: 9.5/10, Disasi: 9.5/10, Diouf: 7.5/10, Soucek: 10/10, Fernandes: 7.5/10, Summerville: 7/10, Bowen: 7/10, Castellanos: 6/10, Pablo: 5/10.

Subs: Wilson: 8/10, Potts: 5/10, Todibo: 6/10.

Nuno: 7/10.