Don Hutchison: Everton could have mini disaster on their hands after QPR blow
Everton were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night, with the hosts running out 8-7 winners after penalties.
The Toffees came from behind twice to play out a 2-2 draw, but they could not find a winner, and they were unable to come out on top after the subsequent spot-kick.
Don Hutchison reckons Rafa Benitez’s men need to quickly bounce back in the Premier League, or they could be facing a mini-disaster.
The BBC pundit said after the game (as shared on BBC 5 Live Sport’s official Twitter account): “Everton with Rafa taking over…what a job he would have done if he had taken Everton to a first trophy in an awful long time.
“He would’ve fancied it. He picked a strong side tonight. The team was strong enough. I think for Rafa, he would have wanted to win that for obvious reasons, but more so, the effect I think it has on the fans.
“It won’t be a disaster if Everton, sitting in sixth or seventh place at the moment, trying to get to European spot, but it might be a mini disaster if they don’t bounce back from this.”
Ominous
Everton had the chance to progress to the fourth round after they were drawn against the Championship side, but they clearly do not have enough quality in their squad to get the job done.
Richarlison, Jordan Pickford, Seamus Coleman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are currently injured, and while they might not have started had they been available for selection against QPR, the attacking duo would likely have been named on the bench and thrown into action as they sought a winner.
They now need to quickly move on and concentrate on the league until the FA Cup starts, and a victory against struggling Norwich City at the weekend will be perfect.
They were handed a 3-0 drubbing by Aston Villa at the weekend, and Benitez clearly needs his key players back as soon as possible.
The current Everton squad needs to be strengthened in January, and hopefully, it is not too late by then.
The Toffees boss still has a lot of fans to convince, and last night’s result has not done his chances of doing that any good.
In other Everton news, Rafa Benitez is laying Toffees groundwork with reported blockbuster move ready for January.
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