Watford and Everton have shared the spoils in a cagey affair at Vicarage Road on Saturday.
A late first half surge saw both sides notch up goals to ensure the even scoreline remained as it started in a result that does little by changing the look of the table.
The quality of play in the error-strewn opening stanza left plenty to be desired and the sides looks set to re-enter the dressing rooms locked at 0-0.
Yet a 45th-minute burst saw not one, but two goals. James McCarthy thought he had sent the Toffees into the sheds with a 1-0 lead after snatching the ball from Miguel Britos at the top of the penalty area after the Watford defender dwelled on possession.
But Jose Holebas’ header ensured a level scoreline at the half. His effort across goal took a sizeable deflection in a maze of bodies to find its way in the top corner.
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The second period improved markedly, yet neither side could really open up the other.
Everton summed up in a three minutes
If ever a football club’s current state could be summarised in as little as 180 seconds, the death of the first half would be it.
The first 45 appeared destined to end with a scoreless tie, and with just one additional minute indicated by the fourth official, that scenario appeared all the more certain.
Watford acquired a self-inflicted wound as Britos dawdled in a hazardous area, allowing Irish international McCarthy to intervene and score. But the Hornets would hit back relatively immediately. A poor John Stones decision – opting to play back to a restricted Robles rather than clear his lines – maintained the pressure on the visitors. An ensuing corner further turned up the pressure valve, and Everton were made to pay as Holebas nodded home less than two minutes after going ahead.
Last two minutes of that half is Everton in a nutshell.
— Ed (@dixiessixty) April 9, 2016
Carelessly throwing away the lead has been a staple in the underwhelming narrative that has been Everton’s season, hot one minute, freezing cold the next, and those final few first half minutes offer a snippet of the story.
The brief spell would suggest Everton have not learned important lessons despite dropping an unforgivable amount of points from seemingly unloseable positions, notably at the hands of Chelsea and in particular Bournemouth, where the Blues snatched a draw from the jaws of victory.
Baines was right – and the fans know it
Although Everton’s output improved after the interval, the team still appeared somewhat dysfunctional and lacking fluidity.
The play echoed Leighton Baines’ thoughts of their current situation – he said the Merseysiders lacked chemistry. He was made to apologise by Roberto Martinez, who insisted the left-back had been misquoted.
But the fans seem to agree with the Englishman, while the gaffer is very much on the nose.
Everton now lie in a thoroughly underwhelming 14th.
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