Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Sun 26 April 2026 14:00, UK

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Callum Wilson shared a joke at Nuno Espirito Santo’s expense after scoring a crucial winner as West Ham United beat Everton on Saturday.

The Hammers emerged 2-1 winners at the London Stadium, with the striker netting the difference after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had equalised for the visitors.

Tottenham’s win at Wolves meant anything less than three points would have seen West Ham sink into the relegation zone.

Wilson has scored several important goals this season, but he went extremely close to leaving the club in January.

West Ham transfer chiefs had been in advanced talks to end his one-year deal six months early, before a senior official reportedly stepped in.

Callum Wilson fires shot at Nuno Espirito Santo

Football Insider exclusively revealed in January that Ipswich Town offered Wilson a contract alongside Celtic and Everton, with the striker looking set to leave.

The 34-year-old has been among Nuno’s favoured options when he arrived, scoring against both Burnley and Bournemouth as the Hammers got back on track.

But by January, the 52-year-old appeared to have completely fallen out with the striker and was willing to see him leave amid the arrival of Taty Castellanos.

Wilson was suspended for the visit of Nottingham Forest in January and had one foot out of the door, before a 91st-minute substitution changed everything.

The ex-Newcastle United man was brought on against Tottenham and scored the winner, with West Ham blocking his exit just hours after the game.

Wilson’s goal on Saturday has proved his importance once again, and Nuno has surely realised the error of his ways.

Speaking to Final Score after the game, the forward was asked why Nuno was so calm and composed after his goal, as opposed to running up and down the touchline.

“It was probably because I scored,” he joked, before he added: “No, I’m joking, I’m joking. He’s a cool, calm guy, a man of few words at times but we know what we have to do on the pitch and he trusts in the team.”

Nuno hails Wilson after Everton winner

Wilson did not do anything particularly special to score the winner against Everton, but it was his positioning that earned him the goal.

There are not many strikers more experienced than the 34-year-old in the Premier League, and he was not looking to do anything fancy in the box. Just be there if the ball fell to him.

Once it did, he controlled his half volley well, tucking the ball into the back of the net with the side of his boot.

“Callum is giving us huge moments and we are delighted,” Nuno said after the game. “Fantastic. What else can you say? We have all the squad available, all the players are healthy, so it’s a good headache to have when you have options.

“It’s important that we keep believing and keep fighting until the final minute which I think is something we already had in our character. Really positive for us.

“It’s going to be until the end. Keep fighting, keep believing, it’s tough but we are on our path.”