Everton are regarded by many as the league’s most underperforming outfit.
This morning that unwanted label was accentuated, and to a large degree confirmed, as the Merseyside outfit rallied twice to equalise and then took a 3-2 lead.
However, the Toffees appeared vulnerable throughout the match and were made to pay for their defensive frailties, conceding two goals in the final 10 minutes of the match.
Conceding four goals at home is wretched in anyone’s books, and the moans and groans from the Everton faithful are now beginning to become louder and louder.
Manager Roberto Martinez has proved his credentials as a tactician in the front half, as his side’s 35 goals vindicates this sentiment – only Manchester City and Leicester City have scored more (37).
Despite their prolific nature they have conceded a whopping 28 goals, with only six teams letting in more at the wrong end.
Everton’s veteran goalkeeper Tim Howard and Martinez were berated on social media, as the Toffees fans’ collective temperament hit boiling point.
Here is some of the best reaction from Twitter:
14th time Everton have conceded 3+ goals in 95 PL matches under Martinez. Happened 7 times in Moyes’ final 136 PL matches in charge.
— Matt Cheetham (@Matt_Cheetham) December 28, 2015
Romelu Lukaku’s last 5 Premier League home matches: 1 goal v Sunderland 2 goals v Villa 1 goal v Palace 1 goal v Leicester 2 goals v Stoke
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 28, 2015
Love the way we play our amazing squad but we need to have a lot more leadership and grit about us @Everton especially at home ??????
— Tim Cahill (@Tim_Cahill) December 28, 2015
Everton’s PR man should be strongly advising Roberto Martinez against any temptation to use the word “phenomenal” tonight.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) December 28, 2015
12 – Everton have conceded 12 goals in their last six Premier League games. Susceptible.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 28, 2015
I’d have been gutted with 3-3. We can’t defend whatsoever and the manager doesn’t know how to fix it.
— Everton Aren’t We? (@EvertonArentWe) December 28, 2015
Time for Martinez to face unrelenting media scrutiny for his bizarre favouritism towards Tim Howard & the damage it’s causing #COYB #EFC
— Neil Favager (@blue_favo) December 29, 2015
Nice touch from Joselu to congratulate Mark Clattenburg on a superbly dramatic penalty award. #CelebrityRefs https://t.co/KoR9EIgb6N
— Celebrity Refs (@CelebrityRefs) December 28, 2015
Just watched Everton v Stoke highlights. Such an Everton loss. Such Everton defending. Just… Everton. #EFC
— Joel Fruci (@JoelFruch) December 29, 2015
I actually reckon my Gran is a better goalie than Howard at this moment in time and she’s 86 with arthritis and uses a Zimmer frame #efc
— Dave Pallett (@pally111) December 29, 2015
Operation Wigan is now complete @Everton #efc
— MICHAEL (@mickybluey) December 29, 2015
Only thing that needs to change is Tim Howard staying at home on match days #EFC
— Dale Hathaway (@dalehathaway) December 28, 2015
All of our 6 wins this season have been against teams in the bottom half of the table. What does that say about us? #EFC
— Paul Brown (@PaulBrownEFC) December 29, 2015
The truth is: Everton are going to have a 30 goal striker and miss out on all honors and tournaments because the defense is a hot mess. #EFC
— Dave (@BigDave1878) December 29, 2015
They've conceded 12 in last 6 league games? That can't be right cos Stones and Coleman are best defenders on planet! #EFC
— Michael Brown (@mabrownny) December 29, 2015
Yesterday showed a top choice for replacing Martinez. Hughes would be my choice now. The Lescott thing is long gone from the memory #EFC
— Craig (@ctayts) December 29, 2015
“The defence of Singapore 1942 was better organised than that shambles” – comment of the year on #EFC‘s predict self-destruction agst Stoke.
— Ben Goren (@BanGaoRen) December 29, 2015
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