Late header from Irish defender Jake O’Brien earns Everton a draw at home to West Ham

Irish defender Jake O’Brien’s last-gasp equaliser secured a 1-1 draw with West Ham and extended Everton’s unbeaten run in the Premier League to nine games.

The Toffees were denied a penalty late in the first half following a VAR check and the Hammers took advantage with a fine goal from Tomas Soucek midway through the second period.

Time looked to have run out for the Toffees but right-back O’Brien headed in his second goal in three games as the clock ticked past 90 minutes to earn David Moyes a point against his former side.

Carlos Alcaraz came back into the Everton starting line-up while Graham Potter made three changes from the team beaten by Newcastle on Monday, with Lucas Paqueta, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Emerson all included.

Everton began brightly but it was West Ham who almost took the lead in the 13th minute when Jarrod Bowen’s header hit Jarrad Branthwaite and drew a flying save from Jordan Pickford.

O’Brien and Jack Harrison were exploiting space down the right but they could not fashion a clear opportunity, while Vitalii Mykolenko’s cross from the other side was headed just wide by Beto.

Pickford was called on again in the 28th minute when a West Ham break saw Max Kilman find Bowen on the edge of the box.

The England forward produced a neat flick and volley on the turn that Pickford tipped over the bar.

Five minutes later Alphonse Areola was called on to make his first meaningful save as another move down the right ended with O’Brien sending in a firm shot from 20 yards that the Hammers keeper pushed away.

Everton were then celebrating a minute before the break when Beto went down under pressure from Mavropanos and Kilman, and referee Darren Bond pointed to the spot.

But he was directed to the pitchside