Theo Walcott baffled by what he saw from Everton on Match of the Day 2, says Seamus Coleman will lose sleep
A 3-0 loss to Manchester United has caused a stir with Theo Walcott disappointed by the blinding reason for the demise of Everton on Sunday evening.
Analysed by Jermaine Jenas on Match of the Day 2, it was clear that Everton’s lack of pressure and fight was the main reason for such a one-sided scoreline, despite a first half full of missed chances for the Toffees.
Walcott was almost dumbfounded by the lack of effort shown in the second half, despite only being one goal down until Man United went up another gear and slotted another two goals past Jordan Pickford.
Speaking on the BBC show on Sunday (26 November), the former Everton winger said: “Someone like Seamus Coleman would have picked out everything that you [Jenas] said, because, like the fans, he is essentially Everton Football Club for me.
“I’m sure that these messages will have been said in the dressing room, so it disappoints me that players and personnel actually executed that.
“He [Coleman] is very passionate, I’m sure he’s not going to sleep tonight.”
A sour taste for the Toffees
Is it possible that Everton’s very publicised behind-the-scenes situation with their 10-point deduction has invaded the minds of the players? Very much so. Goodison Park is an extremely difficult place to be right now, with the controversy swirling around the club.
However, it was expected that this would bring the club, players, fans, and community closer together, making it all the more difficult to play the Toffees currently. The fans created a cauldron of noise, but Sean Dyche’s men were nowhere near their usual heights of performances, which left a rather sour taste after the full-time whistle blew.
Frustration was growing throughout the first half. Everton had a handful of chances to equalise, but referee John Brooks had somewhat stolen the spotlight with some of his decisions to award yellow cards to some but not others.
That is no excuse, however, for the showing in the second half.
Despite a poor start to the season and their recent punishment which saw them fall to 19th in the Premier League, Everton’s results of late have been a huge positive, up until Man United anyway.
Wins against Brentford, Aston Villa, West Ham and Crystal Palace were all proof of Everton’s quality at the club and Dyche’s success as a manager. However, fans will be hoping the recent news off the pitch does not hamper their performances on the pitch, with a rather sorry display on Sunday night.
In other Everton news, an agent has brought up the courts and legal precedent after the Toffees have decided to appeal the decision.