The Everton Lampard wants to leave behind
This was up there with the worst performances of the Farhad Moshiri period – and that’s saying one thing. It was that unhealthy. Defensively absent, and toothless in assault. With out Jordan Pickford, Conor Coady and James Tarkowski – the dads of the group – there isn’t a spine.
What made this defeat so startling was that Bournemouth made 9 adjustments themselves. It was the make-up of the opposition which made this the darkest evening of Frank Lampard’s Everton tenure. He’s studying on a regular basis about these gamers, however in rotating his whole beginning XI, he made a rod for his personal again.
Everton had placed on free coach journey and lined the match tickets for these heading to the south coast, however these returning to Merseyside within the early hours of Wednesday shall be left feeling short-changed.
There was the return of Mason Holgate, Michael Keane and Yerry Mina however right here was additional proof as to why they’re a part of the Everton Lampard needs to depart behind. No high quality in attacking areas, particular person defensive errors after which the petulant ill-discipline and poor physique language that smacks of zero accountability.
Given the timing of the World Cup, this was a really early Christmas store window train for these on the fringes earlier than the January gross sales, however nobody in a blue shirt grasped the chance to impress.
On paper, this second string had greater than sufficient to beat a heavily-rotated Bournemouth. The XI chosen had a mixed 127 worldwide caps, however Everton below Moshiri has been an train in bursting hyper-inflated egos.
On this proof, it isn’t clear the place the present greatest downside lies; on the prime finish, 11 objectives from 14 matches is the third lowest within the Premier League. Defensively, Everton have confronted 238 pictures – essentially the most of any membership.
There could be no easing of issues, not even when confronted with the statistically weakest top-flight goalkeeper. Mark Travers confronted two pictures on the right track, regardless of the pre-match message having been clear: this man has shipped 25 objectives in seven Premier League video games.
And so onto the FA Cup for the subsequent probability to finish Everton’s trophy drought, which lurches right into a twenty eighth yr.
“Since 1995”, Leicester followers sang at Goodison Park final Saturday throughout their 2-0 win, a ditty that had unusually caught on amongst goaders exterior of Anfield. That FA Cup victory over Manchester United dealt by the Canine of Conflict stays the final slice of silverware.
After six managerial adjustments already this time period, there isn’t a suggestion Lampard is below any fast stress however the final two outcomes have modified the temper.
He shall be determined to arrest the slide this weekend when Everton make a direct return to the Vitality Stadium. In any other case, it will likely be an extended and stressed World Cup for him and his supporters starved of success.
Ben Grounds
O’Neil going out on a high?
Junior Stanislas doubled Bournemouth’s lead
If Gary O’Neil’s time as Bournemouth interim head coach is over, he has actually bowed out in emphatic type.
After changing Scott Parker on a brief foundation on the finish of August, O’Neil was the one boss with an unbeaten report within the Premier League earlier than dropping to native rivals Southampton final month – the primary of 4 defeats in a row.
But when he does substitute Luton’s Nathan Jones, who seems to be set to be appointed at St Mary’s, then Tuesday’s spectacular 4-1 win over Everton within the Carabao Cup will make sure the 39-year-old goes out on a excessive.
When requested in his pre-match press convention if he had taken cost of Bournemouth for the ultimate time, O’Neil replied: “I deal with each sport prefer it may be my final, that’s the nature of the interim position.”
If he does depart earlier than Everton go to the Vitality Stadium once more this weekend, his first style in administration might be deemed successful. He steadied the ship when it appeared sure to sink.
Dan Sansom
Brentford must fix home woes – or else
Final season, Brentford had been imperious at dwelling and groups feared going to the close-knit Gtech Group Stadium as a lot as anybody.
The likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool all dropped factors within the top-flight final season and so they even strolled previous sides within the cup too. League Two Oldham had been thrashed 7-0 by Thomas Frank’s facet at this stage of the Carabao Cup final season.
However the shock exit to League Two Gillingham on Tuesday evening means Brentford’s fame at house is waning. That is three video games with no win in all competitions on the Gtech – towards Chelsea, Wolves and now the Gills. All three of these groups have been struggling for type and objectives both earlier than or after visiting the Gtech.
Brentford have didn’t win their final three dwelling video games
Frank’s frustrations will transcend a failure to appease the west London dwelling crowd. The Carabao Cup has all the time been a contest he has taken severely, confirmed by the Bees’ report of a semi-final and quarter-final look on this competitors within the final two seasons. An early exit is a severe disappointment.
But when Brentford cannot type out their dwelling points, it may result in hassle of their league season given the actual fact they hold delivery objectives away from dwelling. Eleven of their final three to be precise, their followers final noticed a win on the street on Might 15.
And up subsequent is an away journey to Premier League champions Manchester Metropolis on Saturday.
Sam Blitz
Vardy offers hope Leicester revival can be sustained
Leicester have with out query turned a nook in latest weeks. Their dominant conquer Everton at Goodison Park appearing because the watershed second the place Brendan Rodgers and his gamers drew a line below their early-season struggles.
Victory over Newport, which secured passage to the Carabao Cup third spherical, was marred by damage to James Justin, an incident which may have wider implications for Gareth Southgate and England if as extreme as first thought.
However there have been extra positives for Leicester to extract from the efficiency, notably the continued development of Jamie Vardy. With only one purpose to his title all season, his double could not have come at a greater time personally and for the group.
His predatory glancing header doubled Leicester’s lead within the second half earlier than he impudently rounded Newport goalkeeper Nick Townsend and sat a defender down earlier than doubling his tally with the Foxes’ third.
Newport ensured it wasn’t a classic Leicester efficiency however the sight of Vardy resembling his greatest type will depart Rodgers assured his group have the firepower to maintain this revival.
Jack Wilkinson
