Everton in ‘hugely concerning’ verdict as ‘depressingly familiar’ claim made
Everton failing to find the back of the net in their opening day Premier League clash with Fulham was “depressingly familiar” for Toffees fans, according to journalist Alex Keble.
The Merseyside club kicked off their new league campaign with a 1-0 loss to the Cottagers at Goodison Park on Saturday (12 August).
The hosts had 19 shots throughout the 90 minutes, but Sean Dyche’s side could not find a way past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
“Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham was depressingly familiar for supporters,” Keble wrote for the official Premier League website.
“They had the third most shots of any Premier League team this weekend (19) and produced an xG (expected goals) of 2.7, but still drew a blank, with Neal Maupay and Alex Iwobi missing good chances.
“It is better that Everton are missing good chances than not creating those chances at all, and yet with Dominic Calvert-Lewin still injured and Everton reportedly unable to bring in a new striker, their inability to find the back of the net is hugely concerning.”
Worrying times
Everton fans have every right to be worried, with their team really struggling when it comes to putting the ball into the back of the net.
Toffees boss Sean Dyche will at least be happy about the number of chances being created, but they count for nothing when there is nobody there to finish them.
Things could quickly change, however, with young striker Youssef Chermiti arriving from Sporting Lisbon.
There will be plenty of pressure on the 19-year-old’s shoulders, but he will become an instant hero at Goodison Park if he can hit the ground running with a handful of goals for the Toffees.
But perhaps the most exciting moment for Toffees supporters will be when Calvert-Lewin can finally shake off his injury issues and return to the pitch.
The striker is undoubtedly the club’s main man in that area, and is definitely more than capable of banging in the goals when free from injury.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are in attacking “dismay” after breaking an unwanted Premier League record against Fulham.