Moyes can barely look after what player did in Chelsea v Everton
Everton fell to a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea as they enter the final few games of the Premier League season.
David Moyes’ side battled well, but a long-range goal from Nicolas Jackson proved to be the difference at Stamford Bridge.
Everton had little to play for going into the game as they secured safety in recent months, but they are still aiming to finish the season well.
There were some poor performances as Everton could not break Chelsea down, and one moment clearly annoyed Moyes, who could not hide his frustration.
Moyes annoyed at James Garner in Everton defeat
James Garner was far from his best in midfield, and the Englishman’s set-piece delivery was noticeably poor against Chelsea.
Everton won two corners, but both were poor as Garner crossed the ball straight into goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s hands on both occasions.
| Stat | James Garner |
| Appearances | 19 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
Neither set piece was threatening, and they wasted good opportunities for Everton to attack, with Moyes visibly annoyed on the touchline.
“Moyes with his head in his hands again as Garner sends a corner straight into Sanchez’s arms (again),” The Athletic journalist Patrick Boyland posted on X (26 April) during the game.
Everton’s set-piece frustration
Everton hired former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam as their set-piece coach when Moyes was appointed, with the retired Scotland international a specialist during his playing days.
However, Everton have failed on set-pieces all season, with just three dead-ball situations leading to a goal.
Only Ipswich Town and Wolves have a lower total than Everton in this regard, with their set-pieces not threatening despite the Toffees having a lot of tall players in their squad.
Clearly, the delivery needs to improve, and Garner’s crosses were a let-down, with physical players such as Beto starved of good service from these set-piece situations.
Everton have scored 34 goals in 34 Premier League games this season, the lowest out of any of the non-relegated sides in the division, and this must simply improve if they are to progress up the table in future campaigns.