‘Alarming’ scenes emerge at Everton as relegation fears grow – journalist
Journalist Andy Hunter has detailed the “alarming” situation that emerged at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon as Everton were convincingly defeated by Fulham, as featured in the Guardian.
Concerns over relegation will only have increased following the lackluster performance, which was even worse than the 1-3 result.
Everton are now perilously positioned in 17th place in the Premier League, outside the drop zone only on goal difference, with resignation emerging around the stadium already.
Hunter reflected on the feeling around the stadium on Saturday, with a marked difference noted.
“Everton collected six points from Sean Dyche’s first three games in charge and have gathered only six more from their last eight outings, yet the manager denies performances are on a downward spiral, he said”
“Fulham arrived at Goodison Park on the back of a five-game losing streak and departed with a club-record sixth away win in a top-flight season. Dyche’s tactics, deploying two in a central midfield weakened by the absences of Amadou Onana and Abdoulaye Doucouré, and his team selection (Neal Maupay, no more needs to be said) helped the Fulham cause.
“But it was the air of resignation that pervaded Goodison, among players and fans alike, that was the most alarming sign for a club edging ever closer to losing its top-flight status after 69 years.”
Sink or swim time
A blow was struck to the collective confidence at the weekend when it was expected that the Toffees would take points from the game. A draw would have been something but instead, it was a double whammy of a dire performance and a damaging result.
Dyche was on the defensive post-match, stating “You may have noticed we have been playing some pretty handy teams,” but that description doesn’t apply to the west London club in recent weeks who have suffered from their mid-table comfort zone.
They were there for the taking but Everton didn’t turn up.
The initial new manager bounce is gone, as is the optimism after that key win against Arsenal. Now, it’s a matter of character and strength if the club is to retain its top-flight status.
In the final few weeks, the stakes will increase and the pressure will be ramped up. Nothing matters but results in what really is sink or swim time.
In other Everton news, Micah Richards singles out one player as ‘huge issue’ emerges at Goodison Park.