Ah, well let’s be honest, that was shite. So much so, that me and the guys at TheToffeeBlues agreed it was bank holiday, let’s forget Everton and get on the ale. And here we are, the morning after the night before, my heads sore and my mouth tastes like dog shit… seems a perfect time for our post-match report.
We were all optimistic before yesterday’s game. Everton had been in decent form and moral was high. On Saturday night, news broke of Mohammed Besic’s farther being shot. Somewhat unusual news but terrible all the same. It was expected therefore that Besic would play no part in the game at Stamford Bridge, however as confirmed by Koeman after the game, Besic still made himself available for the match. One notable absentee however was Belgium midfielder Kevin Mirillas. Unhappy with his lack of playing time, it seems he had thrown (another) tantrum and as a result had been left out the match day squad. Well sadly Kevin, it’s maybe time you take your career elsewhere. Now playing under his third Everton manager, he is still unable to hold down a regular place in the starting 11. He often spends the bulk of his season playing the invisible man, with any half decent cameo performance from the bench always being followed by a string of anonymous performances when he is given a run in the team.
Mo Besic played despite the news breaking the night before that his father was hospitalised after being shot twice in Bosnia
Everton lined up officially with a 3-4-2-1, however it seemed as though the bulk of the game was played with a back 5 lacking any serious width, with Ramirez playing the impossible job of lone striker. On reflection it seemed Koeman got this one wrong again. I’m not going to get carried away, three difficult games in six days I am sure played a massive part in a deflated Everton performance. The team is also suffering with a growing injury crisis as well as a suspension to key player Morgan Schneiderlin. However this is Football, every team goes through the same issues. Therefore we would hope to see a more competitive fixture against the teams we are trying to close the gap on. With no away win since February, Koeman must be held responsible and questions much be asked.
First-half goals from Fabregas and Alvaro Morata gave the home side an advantage they never looked like losing. It took until the 50th minute for Everton to create a meaningful attack. A good ball in the box was met by Ramirez who rose above the Chelsea defence to head the ball, but couldn’t get his effort on target as the ball sailed over for a goal kick. Chelsea continued to dominate proceedings, with Everton chances at a premium. Williams had a great chance in the 85th minute to pull a goal back, but like Ramirez before him, he couldn’t get his effort on target and set the ball just wide of the right hand post. And frankly? That was that.
We come away from the game after seeing an all to familiar performance at one of the leagues top sides away from home. Toothless, no real threat or ambition to actually go out an win the game. Koeman has still yet to win a game at any of the top six as Everton manager, continuing a badge of shame worn by the likes of Moyes and Martinez before him, both of whom by the sheer laws of averages, only managed the very rare big win away from home. Koeman once again stated he wants two new faces before the close of the window this week, the priority being a striker. Let’s hope they can get their targets over the line before 31st August, because if not? Well, from Sundays performance, don’t be expecting a new era, but rather simply another false dawn.
– David (@DAHughes92)
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