Inexplicably, yet somehow completely within the bounds of expectations, Everton blow another 2 goal lead and lose 3-2.
After one of the roughest matches in recent memory, Everton set their sights on a road contest against Aston Villa. Everton haven’t won a road fixture in the league since December, and injury woes meant that the blues were once again a bit shorthanded. Michael Keane and Ashley Young the notable two who continue to start, as Seamus Coleman picked up an injury on international duty and Branthwaite continues to edge closer to fitness and a return to the Everton starting eleven.
Early on it was one way traffic for the hosts, as Everton came under pressure early and often from Unai Emery’s men. Ollie Watkins had several decent chances within the opening 15 minutes, as he punished poor positioning from the backline time and time again. It looked as if the opening goal of the match was inevitable for Villa, when suddenly the toffees struck against the run of play. Amadou Onana was caught on the ball by Dwight McNeil, who made a powerful tackle to win the ball. He drove towards goal and fired an absolute thunderbolt with his left foot into the bottom corner.
The match leveled out some after Everton found the opener, and only ten minuets later Dyche’s men would be rewarded with a brilliant second goal. Dwight McNeil delivered a fantastic ball into the box, and Calvert-Lewin rose the highest to hammer home a header and make it 0-2. The second goal may have awoken the hosts, and the attacks began to flow with menace again. Only nine minutes later, Villa would pull one back. It was the former Everton fullback Lucas Diane who got to the byline and put in a cross. Ollie Watkins rose to meet it, beating Keane in embarrassing fashion and making the scoreline 1-2.
The blues would make it to halftime with the one goal lead, but it all felt very nervous for Dyche’s men. Wave after wave was thrown at the blues, and the match looked sure to see an equalizer, but it was Everton with the next big chance. Calvert-Lewin raced through alone on goal in the 54th minute, had all the time in the world to slot past Martinez, but never even got a shot off. A horrifically frustrating moment and one the blues would rue only 4 minutes later when Aston Villa equalized. A cross came in and took a wicket deflection off Jack Harrison, finding Watkins alone past Keane for an easy tap in to make it 2-2.
Jake O’Brien would come on, as would Orel Mangala making his club debut in the 64th minute. These subs, likely looking to settle the toffees, really made the side far worse. It was clear that the players were confused as to formation and tactics, and any organization and structure flew out the window. Only 12 minutes later, Everton were made to pay as the nightmare scenario was realized for the second match in a row. John Duran let fly from an agonizingly long distance and laced one into the top corner, one of the goals of the season and the goal that absolutely sunk the blues.
Ironically, Calvert-Lewin would get another chance late on in the day but could only smack it off of the woodwork. Beto and Lindstrom came on late, but did not change the match in any significant way. A 3-2 loss and another cruel defeat for the toffees, as Everton have one of the worst 4 game stretches to open a season in club history. Dyche will need this to turn around fast, and should luckily have Branthwaite back soon. Leaking goals for fun, losing leads, and looking wobbly at almost every turn. Things must change, quickly.
UTFT
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