Everton’s loss to Fulham was a defeat two years in the making.
You get what you deserve.It might not always be the case. Luck will always have a say. Then again, you make your own luck. In Everton’s case, they have been manifesting huge stocks of bad fortune for some time.
Did Everton perform badly on Saturday, in a 1-0 home loss to Fulham? Well, no. Every statistic in the book — bar the one that matters — suggested an effective display from Sean Dyche’s side.
According to Opta, Everton had 41 percent possession, 19 shots, with nine of those hitting the target, and they accumulated an expected goals (xG) of 2.9 to Fulham’s 1.5.
So, did Everton deserve to lose based on that performance? No. At the very least, they would have been worthy of a point.
Yet it’s not Everton’s performance on the day that resulted in this defeat. Instead, it is their performance, and decision-making, over the past several years that means ultimately, Everton got what they deserved.
Ahead of kick-off, Everton released a statement from Kevin Thelwell. The Director of Football has not been particularly communicative with the club’s fanbase since his appointment in early 2022, but used his programme notes to address some of the burning issues that have been present throughout his tenure.
This writer has previously stated their belief that Thelwell is a hard working Director of Football who clearly has assembled a team with an eye for talent. But when it comes to getting deals over the line, there has been a significant lack of tangible process that has resulted in squad improvement. That, of course, is not all down to him, and there are plenty of tight restrictions Thelwell and his team have to work under.
“We are aligned in terms of what is required — and how that can be delivered in our current financial position. We need to be careful, considered and diligent in our trading in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.“The changes and improvements that must be made to our squad have to be managed carefully. That means sensible trading, astute acquisitions and utilising the free transfer and loan market where necessary. The entire focus is on ensuring Sean has a squad with the right balance and attributes to contend more effectively with the challenges of a Premier League campaign.”
Kevin Thelwell
But there was also a hint of the self-congratulatory to that statement. Again, the suggestion — and this has previously come from the Chairman, the former Chief Executive, the owner and even the manager — that ‘hard work’ is enough. It is not. It is a pre-requisite. Just as it is a pre-requisite for players to work hard when they take to the field.
Actions speak louder than words, too, and within a few hours of Thelwell’s statement, the team was confirmed: No Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the squad; Michael Keane starting at centre-back and Neal Maupay up front.
Had any Evertonian been told, immediately after that 1-0 win over Bournemouth on May 28th, that would be the case, then there would surely have been a reaction of pure disbelief. And, anger.
There has simply been too much acceptance of Everton once again heading into the season totally unprepared in key areas.
Yes, there is time in the window remaining, and this writer is at least confident that more business will get done. Yet there is simply no excuse for heading into the season without a starting striker that is not Maupay.
So when Maupay missed two gilt-edged chances in the first half, there should have been no surprise. Maupay has consistently underperformed his xG in every season he has played in the Premier League. While he does not fit into the style of play, either, that is not an excuse for missing two one-v-ones from close range.¹
Of course, Maupay — whose movement at least looked sharp — was not the only guilty party. Abdoulaye Doucoure, the hero back in May, drilled straight at Bernd Leno — who it has to be said, was excellent — and Nathan Patterson lashed against the crossbar with the goal gaping just before Fulham scored their winner.
Abdoulaye Doucoure squandered a huge chance early on
Abdoulaye Doucoure squandered a huge chance early onThat is all without mentioning the decision from referee Stuart Attwell to disallow what looked like a perfectly valid Everton goal, when he adjudged James Tarkowski to have fouled Leno. VAR could not be called in, and the only defence of the official would be that he spotted the ball hit Tarkowski’s arm on its way down to deflecting to Keane. It was a dismal decision of the calibre Everton have been used to from Premier League officials.
That being said, hard luck stories only go so far. Yes, that goal should have stood, but Everton had more than enough opportunities to get the job done, and they did not take them.
There was another familiar sight in the 73rd minute. Everton’s defence, which goes under the radar as to just how bad it is, were caught out as both Tarkowski and Keane were dragged over to the left. Patterson, who struggled all game, attempted to cover, allowing Andreas Pereira to pull it back for the waiting Bobby De Cordova-Reid to tap home. Fulham’s goal was even complete with the classic Jordan Pickford despairing dive — every Evertonian should know the one by now.
Everton’s defence were dragged to the left
Nathan Patterson was unable to stop the cutback, and James Garner did not track his runner.
Everton’s defence were dragged to the leftNathan Patterson was unable to stop the cutback, and James Garner did not track his runner.
So, back to getting what you deserve.
Everton’s defeat to Fulham is ultimately the build-up of years of ineffective recruitment and poor decisions. It did not feel like the opening day of a new campaign, but instead a remnant of the last two seasons, with issues Everton have had plenty of time to fix coming back to bite them once again.
Jack Harrison’s impending loan move from Leeds United presents a solid wing addition, albeit Everton might well have lost out to Aston Villa had it not been for the fact the Toffees are more willing to take a risk with the extent of the 26-year-old’s injury than Unai Emery’s team are. The former New York City FC winger is said to be out for between three to five weeks as he continues his recovery from a hip problem.
More Than A Game understands Leeds United did indeed accept Villa’s approach and that Harrison’s representatives had contact with the midlands club, who present Everton’s next opponents on Sunday.
Harrison has been a long-term target, while Everton remain interested in his Leeds club-mate Wilfried Gnonto, but neither of the pair are strikers, and it is that position that needs desperately addressing. The recruitment team — including in this case the Chairman, who is still involved in some capacity with player acquisitions — must be criticised for the fact that it hasn’t been already.
It’s a tough market, but Everton can’t afford winnable home games to slip by if they want to be out of danger this season.
