Everton welcomed an underperforming West Ham United side to Goodison Park on Sunday as the Toffees ground out a 2-0 victory.

The game got off to meandering start as neither side looked particularly fluent in possession. The first attempt on goal came from West Ham’s Pedro Obiang after 12 minutes as he missed the target with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Everton’s first chance came on the break as Romelu Lukaku set up Gareth Barry after a quarter of an hour, but his shot curled over the bar.

Lukaku came close himself on the 24-minute mark before Ross Barley was brilliantly denied just a minute later by Adrian. The game then entered a less fluid spell as a Dimitri Payet free kick presented the only real danger, before Kevin Mirallas went close. At half-time the score remained locked at 0-0.

The second half got off to a dramatic start as Lukaku found himself at the right place at the right time, tucking the ball away for a 1-0 lead. West Ham looked to respond quickly by upping the tempo, but it was Ross Barkley who had the next chance as he fired over the bar.

There was a golden opportunity for Michail Antonio in the 65th minute as he powered clear down the left flank but his shot from a tight angle was blocked.

Just three minutes later Andrei Ayew had another great chance blocked as the Hammers stepped up their game, before Mark Noble was superbly denied with a curling strike from long range.

Having survived the scare, Everton hit back in the 75th minute as Barkley prodded home at the far post, putting the Toffees 2-0 up.

West Ham again looked to hit back straight away after conceding, but were unable to manufacture any clear chances as the game steadily drew to a close, as Lukaku came closest to scoring.

In the end, Everton held on to record a well-earned 2-0 victory.