A midweek, evening trip to Everton in the middle of winter, during the already hectic festive schedule, would understandably be a fixture that players would be far from excited for.
For Angelo Ogbonna, though, a January visit to Goodison Park stands out as one of his finest appearances in Claret and Blue.
For a defender that has played for the Club since 2015, making over 235 appearances, that is saying something.
There is something particularly special about that 1-0 win away from home for the 35-year-old though; a victory that, with hindsight, kickstarted an immense run through the remainder of the 2020/21 season.
“Every game was hard in that period for us,” Ogbonna recalled. “It is always hard to go to Everton and play, because the fans there make Goodison Park one of the best atmospheres in England. Obviously, supporters were not allowed in at that time, which I’m sure made a difference.
“The way we played, we had to really stick at it. We were determined to not concede and then, right at the end of the game, we got the chance to score and we were able to put it away. It was a great three points to start the new year.”
CONTEXTUAL CHALLENGES
Form heading into the trip to Everton had not been West Ham’s best. The Christmas schedule had seen consecutive draws with Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton, while the Irons had only won once in their six Premier League outings throughout December.
Contextually, it was a difficult time across the United Kingdom and, indeed, the planet. COVID-19 was still running rampant and, amidst a surge in infections, England had returned to ‘lockdown’. While professional football was permitted to continue, it would do so without supporters in attendance.
“December through to January is always a very tough time of a year and, when you add to that what we were dealing with in coronavirus, it was a difficult time,” Ogbonna reflected. “When you go into a season, you know that December and the festive fixture list will be one of the most important periods of the year. It’s a big chance to pick up quite a few points quickly. You have to take advantage of that time.
“It’s hard, physically, but you want to get as many points as you can. Playing twice in three days can be really tough but, as long as you stay fit, you can get through it.”
Freezing temperatures welcomed David Moyes’ Hammers to Walton, with Ogbonna named in the starting XI by the boss; continuing a run of starting each Premier League match in that campaign.
Paired with Craig Dawson at centre-back, and with Aaron Cresswell and Vladimír Coufal on the defensive flanks, the Italian had experienced teammates alongside him in their attempt to quell Everton’s attacking threat.
Just before kick-off though, there was an enforced change. Łukasz Fabiański, due to start in goal, picked up an injury. In came Darren Randolph.
Ogbonna had no concern about the late change though.
“As a defender, my priority is to have a connection with the rest of the backline,” he explained. “We all had a good connection. We would all train together and we had time to prepare for our gameplans.
“In that moment, we had a real togetherness in the squad. We had just gone back into enforced lockdowns in this country, and it was a tough time, but I think in a way that helped us in the squad to build a connection.
“The goalkeeper, for me, is part of that defensive unit when I talk about the connection. I can organise the back four but I cannot see the things the goalkeeper might pick up on.
“Whoever the goalkeeper is, they need to try and set the defensive line, and it’s a very important part of that job. I want the goalkeeper to shout. I don’t want anyone to feel they have to be nice on the pitch. Lukasz is always very vocal during games and Darren, that day, filled that role perfectly.”
ITALIAN JOB
In truth, there was little in terms of goalscoring opportunities to report on in the New Year’s Day outing, with both teams impressing in a defensive display.
However, when the only real chance of the game fell to Tomáš Souček on 86 minutes, courtesy of Cresswell’s deflected shot, the Czech midfielder made no mistake from close range.
Everton, under the management of globally-acclaimed coach Carlo Ancelotti, had no time to mount a fight back, and Ogbonna took particular delight in the win over his fellow Italian.
Even more pleasing for the No21 was the effort shown by the entire team in securing all three points.
“It was a game where I really, really wanted to win. Playing against any team that is coached by an Italian manager is always tough. Those little details that they focus on are so important and they are really tough teams to break down. And, of course, Ancelotti is one of the best managers in the world and we knew they would be a really tricky opponent.
“I knew the threat Everton would poise and we deserved the three points. We played very well. We kept the ball, moved it around and our work-rate was exceptional.
“We really had to graft. We had to leave it all out on the pitch. Some people might say we were a little lucky to come away with the 1-0 win at the end but I don’t think we were lucky. I really think we earned that result and you could tell afterwards, in the changing room, what it meant to everyone to grind that win out.
“Everyone was genuinely exceptional that day. I go back to it being that COVID period and everyone was just determined to do well and give our fans something to cheer about.”
That the Hammers were able to keep out an Everton side which contained the likes of Brazilian internationals Richarlison and Bernard, England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Colombian playmaker James Rodríguez is a particular point of pride for Ogbonna, who will always count that New Year’s game as one of his finest.
“I was really proud of how I maintained my concentration,” he added. “We were up against some top attackers that day and, as a defender, concentration is always the most important thing.
“Yes, making many a clearance or reading a situation correctly is great, but I will always say that being able to do it consistently is what makes a truly top defender. For me, that translate into being able to do it for 95 minutes in every single match. On that day, against Everton, I was on top of my form.”
