Nuno Espirito Santo begins West Ham tenure with Everton 1-1 draw amid defensive critiques

Nuno Espirito Santo's debut as West Ham manager ended in a 1-1 draw against Everton, where defensive frailties, particularly on set-pieces, were highlighted as an area needing urgent improvement. Despite the short preparation time, Nuno stressed the importance of team cohesion and defensive aggression, recognizing the match as a foundation for future adjustments. Criticism has also been directed at the club's management, with fans expressing dissatisfaction towards Chairman David Sullivan for the team's poor defensive performances. Nuno's first home game against Brentford is overshadowed by ongoing fan protests and a boycott, reflecting broader unrest at the club. Additionally, Nuno has already made tactical decisions that differ from his predecessor, notably excluding James Ward-Prowse from the Everton match, signaling a shift in player utilization. Overall, while some positives were noted, the challenges at West Ham are deep-rooted, and Nuno faces a difficult task in turning the club's fortunes around amid fan discontent and squad issues.