There may still be plenty to play for in the Premier League season for both these protagonists, at the very least in terms of prize money, but as Jake O’Brien’s 91st-minute equaliser rescued a point for Everton, it was hard not to view proceedings as a David Moyes appreciation rally.
It might as well have been, given his efforts in leading West Ham United to a European trophy two years ago and the now nine-game unbeaten run he has overseen at Everton whose farewell to Goodison Park had, at one stage, appeared likely to be scarred by a relegation battle.
On the final whistle yesterday, moments after O’Brien had cancelled out an opening goal from Tomas Soucek, visiting supporters offered their own appreciation to Moyes as his former players sought him out for a post-match embrace.
“West Ham are a terrific team. I know, I spent most of the money there to buy a lot of really, really good players,” said Moyes.
“I’ve been through so many moments with those players, obviously the big thing was playing in Europe, and West Ham supporters have been really, really good to me over the years and gave me a great send-off. I wanted to show my respect to them. They deserved to be acknowledged.”
The mood around Goodison, now with just four games left in its existence, might have been very different had Youssef Chermiti not helped inspire a late recovery – the substitute’s 91st-minute shot was saved and sparked the move that led to Everton’s goal.
Carlos Alcaraz swept the ball wide to Idrissa Gueye whose chip into the six-yard area was firmly headed in by Ireland international O’Brien, avoiding what would have been a first league defeat since Moyes’s first game back in charge in January. There was even a late chance for Alcaraz that might have secured him a win.
“I’ve always had huge respect for the support they get here, as an away ground it’s as tough as it gets when the crowd is up and at you,” said Graham Potter, the West Ham manager.
“These are emotional games, because there aren’t many left here, so for us it’s a privilege to be here and experience it but we wanted to get three points.”
Until the late action, Soucek had looked likely to settle a largely forgettable contest for a West Ham side who are slowly starting to show signs of life under Potter; the Czech international scoring on 67 minutes.
Jarrod Bowen created the goal, spotting his team-mate in space in the Everton area and threading a perfect pass as Soucek did the rest with an impressive finish beyond the dive of Jordan Pickford and into the far corner.
Soon after, Pickford was forced to save well from a Bowen shot and Soucek headed straight at him as the game improved markedly over a first half low on chances but that, nevertheless, ended on a note of controversy, with Everton first awarded then denied a penalty by referee Darren Bond.
The original 44th-minute decision followed Beto going to ground, apparently tripped by Konstantinos Mavropanos, before VAR intervened and Bond, correctly, changed his mind after looking at his video screen.
That decision understandably annoyed the home fans but, if not for goalkeeper Pickford, they could have found themselves down at the interval. On 12 minutes, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite connected with a James Ward-Prowse corner, heading goalwards and forcing his keeper into a flying reflex save.
And just before the half-hour, Bowen skilfully teed himself up, juggling the ball until it sat up for an 18-yard volley which Pickford turned away with a one-handed stop.
