“We should have two points more. We are gutted. Proud, but gutted,” West Ham manager Slaven Bilic told reporters, describing referee Robert Madley’s decision to award the penalty “unacceptable”.
The Hammers stayed in fifth place with 50 points, one behind Manchester City who play sixth-placed Manchester United (47) in Sunday’s derby.
Chelsea remained unbeaten in the league under interim manager Guus Hiddink, but an 11th draw of the season for last season’s champions left them 10th.
Some Arsenal fans displayed banners at Goodison Park urging manager Arsene Wenger to step down, but his side produced a vibrant display to at least end a depressing week on a high.
First-half goals by Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi secured a first win in four league games and lifted some of the gloom after exits from the FA Cup and Champions League.
“Mathematically, we have a chance,” Wenger told a news conference. “We are not flavour of the week, but if we don’t believe, no-one will do it for us.”
Norwich City’s survival hopes received a boost as they won 1-0 at West Bromwich Albion to move three points above the relegation zone while Swansea City also edged closer to safety with a 1-0 win over bottom club Aston Villa who are all but gone after a 21st league defeat.
Stoke City retained their hopes of European football as a 2-1 victory at Watford lifted them to seventh.
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