Garth Crooks takes aim at Everton for what they did in 2-1 loss v Luton Town
Garth Crooks has taken aim at the Everton front line following their defeat to Luton Town, as he let loose on the quality of finishing at Goodison Park.
The Hatters beat the Toffees 2-1 on Saturday (30 September) to earn their first-ever Premier League win and end a short upturn in form for the Blues, after they had won their last two games against Aston Villa and Brentford to lift the mood on the blue half of Merseyside.
But the wait for a home win this season goes on for Dyche’s side, having last won in front of their own fans on the final day of the 2022/23 season and while Crooks was eager to praise a couple of Luton players for their performances at Goodison Park, he was also incredibly quick to slam aspects of the Toffees display.
Writing for his BBC Sport Team of the Week (3 October) which included Tom Lockyer and Carlton Morris, he said: “I’m not entirely sure if this win by Luton is a commentary on how good the visitors were to pick up their first ever win in the Premier League or how poor Everton were in front of goal.
“What is it with Everton and home matches? They’ve lost seven out of their past eight.”
Goals
Everton need to start taking their chances in front of goal if they have genuine ambitions of climbing up the Premier League table and away from the relegation zone, as Dyche’s side have shown they are more than capable of creating opportunities.
The win over Brentford seemed like the first and potentially only time so far this season that the Toffees took every single chance that came their way and that resulted in an incredibly comfortable win. If that sort of form can be replicated every week, Dyche’s side will be safe by Christmas time.
But to be so poor in front of goal, especially at your home ground is worrying considering Everton are now arguably at full strength in attack. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is back fighting fit, Jack Harrison is amongst the side and Beto arrived for a large fee this summer.
When the Toffees were struggling for goals earlier this season, fans would point to the absence of Calvert-Lewin, but the striker isn’t the most clinical forward, according to Fotmob, only 40 per cent of his attempts were on target against the Hatters.
To only score one goal with an xG of 2.9 is dreadful. But it does suggest that once Everton start taking these chances they’ll have very little to worry about.
In other Everton news, Alan Pardew has said that he fears the Toffees’ finances could see them relegated this season