Liverpool (AFP) – Portuguese coach Nuno Espírito Santo began his journey with West Ham with a valuable 1-1 draw against host Everton on Monday in the conclusion of the sixth round of the English Premier League.

Nuno took charge of his first match as Hammers coach just 48 hours after being appointed to replace Graham Potter, who was dismissed from his position.

Former Nottingham Forest defender Michael Keane gave Everton the lead in the first half at Goodison Park, but international striker Jarrod Bowen spared Nuno a defeat in his first game with the London team by scoring the equalizer in the 65th minute.

This was only the second time in seven matches across all competitions this season that West Ham managed to keep an unbeaten record.

The East London club currently sits nineteenth, second from bottom in the league, with four points from its first six matches.

With his valuable experience in successfully navigating relegation battles after keeping Forest and Wolverhampton in the Premier League, Nuno was tasked with leading West Ham towards survival.

The 51-year-old coach will feel optimistic about this fighting performance after only two training sessions with his new players since taking over.

Potter was sacked on Saturday after only eight months in charge, while Nuno himself was dismissed earlier this season following a dispute with club owner Evangelos Marinakis over the club’s transfer policy.

Nuno was the mastermind behind Nottingham Forest’s return to European competitions for the first time in 30 years after finishing an impressive seventh last season.

Ironically, Everton is coached by Scotsman David Moyes, West Ham’s former manager who led them to win the 2023 Conference League, ending the London club’s 43-year trophy drought.

West Ham did not retain Moyes after the 2023-2024 season following fan dissatisfaction with his negative tactical plans.