Dead-eye Dicks

By Brendan O'Keeffe West Ham United 2 Dicks 7 pen, 43 pen Everton 1 Samways 40 Attendance:21,085

EVERTON handed West Ham their first Premiership win in a game almost devoid of clear chances yet which somehow produced three goals.

The first came as Everton's defence settled like jellies. Craig Short climbed on Iain Dowie in the penalty area and Julian Dicks banged home the penalty to Neville Southall's left in another blatant bid for publicity.

Everton's tightly-packed midfield began grouping intelligently and their unendearing long-ball tactics were banished as Barry Horne, Tony Grant and Joe Parkinson sought to release Daniel Amokachi and Graham Stuart, on for the injured Paul Rideout after 17 minutes.

Just as one had got used to the idea that, for all their neat build-up, spirited attempts to gain possession and movement off the ball, Everton were too easy to read, they did something unpredictable and nearly suffered for it. Parkinson showed unexpected trickery in winning a tackle, then underhit a back-pass towards Southall, who just managed to reach it before the Everton old boy Tony Cottee.

Amokachi found himself in the box but his shot was blocked by Tim Breacker's prostrate body. Andy Hinchcliffe was just wide with a swerving free-kick before Everton unexpectedly scored.

A West Ham attack broke up when Stan Lazaridis, looking out of his depth throughout, lost possession with comic ineptitude. Grant ran through orchards of space with the ball and fed Vinny Samways, who cut into the box and coolly swerved a delicious shot into the far corner. A few minutes later, Everton threw away the draw that would have been justice if only because neither team deserved to win. This time Lazaridis was fouled by Earl Barrett and Dicks smashed home a penalty identical to his first.

With defences grim, it was appropriate that West Ham brought on Marc Rieper. Anders Limpar replaced Grant and Everton gained a little guile though chances remained rare. The win moves West Ham out of the relegation places, but their reprieve looks temporary.