Iwobi starts, says Everton ready to fight to stay in EPL
Seeks first goal, sixth win in 10 games against West Ham
Alex Iwobi has been named in the starting X1 against West Ham Sunday afternoon and the 25 year old says Everton’s dressing room is ready to fight for the club as it battles to stay in the Premier League.
The Blues will hope their struggles can begin to come to an end after the international break as they look to steer clear of relegation. But Iwobi, whose 99th minute winner against Newcastle secured a vital three points, said the team are determined to “show people that Everton’s not soft”.
The club’s dramatic win over Newcastle was followed up by a dismal display in the FA Cup against Crystal Palace. A performance that sparked strong comments from Frank Lampard.
Speaking ahead of the Premier League’s return – and Everton’s visit to West Ham – Iwobi said the players knew they needed to show more character.
The Nigerian will also be hoping his win record of five in nine games can propel Everton to their ninth win in their last 14 games against the Hammers on Sunday.
The Toffees have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League matches at West Ham (won 8, drew 2).
In fact Everton have won more Premier League away encounters against West Ham than they have against any other side.
The Super Eagle scored the winner for Everton in the 1-0 defeat of Newcastle just before the international break for their first win in six games and the Nigerian international attacking midfielder will be seeking for his first back-to-back Premier League goal since 2016.
If he scores, it will be his third of the season for the Toffees and fifth since he joined from Arsenal in August 2019.
It will also be his 16th in 173 appearances in the competition since he made his debut in October 2015.
A goal will also mean the Nigerian’s first in 10 appearances across all competitions against the Hammers.
Iwobi however has three assists, all in the Premier League against David Moyes’ side.
Interestingly, the Nigerian is yet to lose a game in which he provided an assist against the Hammers.
An assist at the London stadium on Sunday will take his total assist to 20 in 173 games and draw him level in third place with Shola Ameobi and Kelechi Iheanacho in the Nigerian all-time assist list in the competition.
