The Toffees remain way off the pace in the battle for a top four finish after dropping more points.
Everton, that.
That is a phrase that is uttered all too often by Evertonians, often used affectionately when the Toffees, expectedly or unexpectedly (but mostly expectedly, of late) drop points.
Worryingly though, those words are teetering dangerously close to becoming a regular fixture, with the affection side of things waning considerably, turning into utter annoyance and dissatisfaction.
Understandably so, too. Fans have every right to be frustrated with the club’s current standing – 10th on 23 points despite the raft of positives that have emerged from this season as the club tries to get serious about its European goals.
Back to back to back league draws against AFC Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Norwich City only added to a number of draws earlier in the season that could have – and really should have – been wins and healthy ones at that. With respect to the aforementioned clubs, only three points from these three matches is unacceptable for a squad that is bursting at the seams with ability.
That failure to convert performance into actual results highlights a clear class gulf that shows the Toffees still have a long way to go in achieving Roberto Martinez’s Champions League dream. By now, that gulf should have shrunken in size significantly with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Gerard Deulofeu and John Stones, just to name a few, all on the books at Goodison Park.
Notable and significant chinks in their armour have emerged, and in some cases, re-emerged.
Events at the Vitality Stadium went a way to suggesting a hint of complacency and profligacy. Down 2-0 at half time, Bournemouth were allowed back into the contest and eventually forced their way through the Everton back line. Inspired by Junior Stanislas, the Cherries snatched a point from the jaws of defeat when that task looked almost impossible – at least it should have been – when Ross Barkley put the visitors 3-2 ahead in the 95th minute.
Even then, Everton had their chances to add a third before Bournemouth restored parity. Eddie Howe and his side deserve all the plaudits they received for that comeback, but it is difficult to envisage such a fight-back had the Blues gone ahead 3-0 or 3-1 with their feet firmly on the pedal, when they had the chance.
The Palace match a week later could be put down to a case of lucklessness. Yes, Everton could not find the back of the net until after they had fallen behind but the woodwork was rattled no less than three times. This game may just have been one of those days. Mighty, weak or somewhere in between, all teams go through them.
The issue here was the manner in which Everton conceded: from a corner. For some time, the Achilles heal. Scott Dann leapt highest in the 76th minute before Lukaku was the saviour once more.
The result at Carrow Road was the tip of the iceberg, a true ‘Everton, that’ performance. Fans will need no reminding of what transpired in Norfolk, such was its lamentable nature.
It was not just another one of those days – this was poor.
The Blues bossed the first half in its entirety, creating chance after chance after chance to breach Declan Rudd’s goal. Only Lukaku was able to complete that task, expertly nodding home a pin-point Gerard Deulofeu cross.
No others chances could be taken. Lukaku had plenty more opportunities, as did Arouna Kone, but Everton ended the half with only one goal to show for their dominance when really, they should have had three, maybe four, and it would prove costly. Norwich emerged from the dressing room a new side after an insipid opening 45 and quickly levelled through Wes Hoolihan.
C’mon Everton. We can win this – just don’t concede any corners…
— GrandOldTeam.com (@grandoldteam) December 12, 2015
That is how it ended, as profligacy was laid bare once more along with Everton’s set piece fragility.
At this, the highest of levels in domestic football, such leakage at set plays should be considered a football emergency. Goals conceded against Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United all put an exclamation mark on just how poor the Toffees are in dealing with set pieces. Goals scored by Danny Ings, Laurent Koscielny and Morgan Schneiderlin were all avoidable from an Everton point of view.
How do you fix that? Who knows? Perhaps it is a communication issue between goalkeeper and defence. Perhaps it is just the goalkeeper. Perhaps it is just the defence. Whatever the reason, Martinez and Everton must get to the bottom of the issue immediately and the Norwich draw should have drilled home this message in emphatic style if it had not been already.
As for the wasting of guilt-edged opportunities, what can the coach do? Perhaps the forwards just need to be given a bag of balls at training and play a game of ‘around the world’?
Amazingly, the Toffees are only three points away from fifth spot on the table. Can you imagine where they might be if they were tighter at both ends?
However the team goes about addressing the issues, they need a permanent solution. Of course there will always be ‘those’ days, but the #EvertonThat hashtag should never be a trend.
Overall, the club is in as good a position as it has ever been to advance up the table and solidify itself as one of the elite. A mid-table position and mid-table results are not good enough for a club with lofty ambitions, lofty standards and a lofty level of playing talent.
Manageable issues are keeping the horse from bolting.
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