View: Disappointing result highlights how far Everton have come
Everton fell to a second successive Premier League defeat on Saturday, following their 2-0 loss to Chelsea with a disappointing performance against Burnley.
The Clarets ran out 2-1 victors at Goodison Park, taking a 2-0 lead inside half an hour before the Blues found their way back into the game shortly before half-time.
However Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s headed finish would prove to be nothing more than a consolation, with Sean Dyche’s men holding on for the three points in the second half.
Everton began the game week just four points behind Chelsea in fourth place, making their clash with Burnley a must-win game in order to remain in the Champions League race.
However the Toffees blew a golden opportunity to make up some ground on Thomas Tuchel’s men, after they could only manage a draw against Leeds on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti was left frustrated by his side’s performance, describing the display as a “big disappointment” [BBC Sport], and he’s right to feel that way.
But if anything the showing against Burnley highlights just how far Everton have come this season, and it indicates future success that could come with patience under Ancelotti.
Other than a small handful of summer recruitments, Everton’s squad is still mostly made up of players that could only manage to finish 12th in the Premier League last season.
Gylfi Sigurdsson, Alex Iwobi, Fabian Delph, Andre Gomes, Tom Davies and Jordan Pickford were all routinely criticised by Everton supporters last season, and the majority of them are still playing on a regular basis, although admittedly some have seen significant improvement.
Either way, Everton still lack plentiful quality in their squad and they have faced their fair share of injury issues this season too, and yet they’re still somehow in the Champions League race.
Carlo Ancelotti hasn’t just bought quality players in James Rodriguez, Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ben Godfrey, he has also helped elevate others at the club to meet his required level.
Now the Toffees clearly aren’t firing at the required level just yet, but the growth of this team has been staggering when considered with context.
If Everton give Carlo time, which we’re sure they will, there’s no telling where he could take the club when he is able to make further signings to shape his squad in a way that he wishes.
Losing to Burnley will always be a poor result, and we’re not excusing the team for underperforming, but the very fact that Everton are in a position to bemoan a missed opportunity to make back ground on the top four is testament to the amazing work Ancelotti has already done.
In other Everton news, Ancelotti remains confident that JP Gbamin could feature for Everton before the end of the season.