Defender Dinos Mavropanos believes West Ham United are heading in the right direction, despite being disappointed he and his teammates were unable to cling on to victory at Everton on Saturday.
After a goalless first half, Tomáš Souček’s 67th-minute opener looked to have earned the Hammers the full share of the spoils on their last ever visit to Goodison Park, but late pressure from the hosts eventually told and Jake O’Brien’s injury-time strike ensured the hotly-contested encounter finished 1-1.
Mavropanos, 27, was one of three players drafted into Graham Potter’s starting XI following the 1-0 defeat at home to Newcastle United last time out, and he admitted dealing with the pressure exerted by a side who came into the weekend eight games unbeaten was a tough physical test.
And though he was frustrated that the backline was ultimately breached so late on, our No15 believes the team’s record of seven points from four games, with just two goals conceded, demonstrates that the team are continually improving under boss Graham Potter.
“We conceded a goal in the last minute, so we are disappointed, but I think we can take some positives from today,” said Mavropanos, who has now featured 27 times in all competitions for the Club this season. “We knew from the beginning that they’ve been on a good run and that it was going to be a tough day. I think we showed character and we defended well.
“We showed a lot of team spirit and put in a good performance, and I think we maybe deserved more than just a draw. It was a bit unlucky for us to concede the goal late on, because overall - like I said - I think we played well.
“It’s tough when there’s so much pressure. You have to stay strong and focused, and we did our best. We maybe could have managed the situation a bit better, and we’ll try and learn from today and focus on the positives.
“I think over the last few games we’ve shown we can defend better. We have created some chances as well, and I think we’re getting better and better in every area.
“We work a lot with the back five. I think we’ve done well in that system - we only conceded once in the previous three games, and then once today. We always do our best in any formation the manager asks us to play, and I think we’re showing we can do it well.
“We have to stay positive, and keep working hard, and I think the points will continue to come.”
Mavropanos was at the centre of one of the key moments of the game, towards the end of the first half, when referee Darren Bond initially judged him to have fouled Beto in the box and pointed to the spot, only to overturn his decision after reviewing it on the monitor.
He continued: “I don’t think I really touched him. I haven’t seen it again yet, but I knew in the moment that I hadn’t made a mistake and that it wasn’t a penalty.
“Max [Kilman] was there as well and he said the same, and so I think it was clear. I’m pleased the right decision was made, and that it didn’t have an impact on the game.”
The result on Merseyside leaves West Ham 16th in the top-flight standings with nine games left, level on 34 points with Everton and still just eight behind Fulham - who play Tottenham Hotspur later on Sunday - in tenth.
While Mavropanos is now looking forward to joining up with his Greece teammates for two crucial UEFA Nations League play-off matches against Scotland, he is excited for the rest of the Premier League season, and is confident the Irons can finish with a bang.
“I have two important games with Greece now, that I’m looking forward to,” Mavropanos added.
“I hope we have a good camp and are able to win and get promoted [to League A], and then I’m looking forward to the last few months of the season with West Ham.
“I’m confident we’re going in the right direction and that we can keep improving, and hopefully we can finish well in the nine games we have left.”
