Waking up on Sunday morning, there was another feeling of Deja vu about it, just like there was last week. Another game that we had real control over for large spells, resulted in us throwing away two points from a winning position thanks to some poor individual defensive mistakes.

Roberto went again with the tried and tested formation of 4-3-3 against Arsenal, just like he did in April. Naismith through the middle, Lukaku on the right and Mirallas on the Left. We settled well into the game, slowly feeling our way into it. This led to eventually dominating possession. This led to Arsenal chasing shadows for 5-10 minutes, with us moving them around trying to open up space in behind.

Unfortunately for us Pienaar only lasted 10 minutes before having to go off due to injury, with Osman replacing him. It was a real shame as his inter link play with Baines at Leicester was looking promising. But after great interplay between initially Barry, Osman and Baines, the ball returned to Barry who after one touch swung a brilliant ball into the area towards the back post. It looked for certain that Lukaku was going to get on the end of it but it drifted over his head, luckily Coleman gambled and brilliantly headed it into the top corner past a sprawling Szczesny.

Arsenal continued to prod and probe outside of our box but we defended stoutly, restricting them to a few half chances with Howard not having to make a single save. Not long before the halftime whistle could sound we managed to get that second and at the time felt like crucial goal. The ball played up to Rom on the halfway line, he out muscled Mertesacker, the German left on his backside. He then nicked the ball past Chambers who dived in (not for the first time) and galloped towards the box. Having initially thought the chance had gone as Arsenal got players back. Naismith made a great little run in behind Debuchy and latched on to a nicely weighted ball by Rom, and in one movement with his first touch slotted it through Szczesny’s legs. Goodison exploded into a cacophony of noise and The Old Lady was shaking to her 122 year foundations once again. Half time arrived and everything looked rosy in the Everton garden once again.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first, Arsenal prodded and probed around the outside of our box and but we defended well restricting them to very little in terms of openings. Giroud a second half substitute for the very ineffective Sanchez was starting to cause us a few problems but like a boxing match was kept at arm’s length. Ten minutes into the second half and Wilshere was a very lucky boy to stay on. Scything down Barry with studs up ankle-high challenge. In my book it was a red card and the way the game was going it was the turning point of the second half. If he walks like he should’ve done then we see out the match, using the man advantage to keep possession. Unfortunately for us he wasn’t sent off but substituted for Cazorla not long after. Having said that it wasn’t until the 70th Minute that Howard actually had to make his first save of the match. Good link up play between Cazorla and Ramsey got Giroud in but his shot was well saved in the middle of the goal by Howard.

By this point I felt we were pretty comfortable, but I kept looking at the clock willing it to tick quicker. We didn’t create much after that. With a Baines solo run, a few counter attacks and wild Naismith shot all we could muster. It was so evident that we were running out of gas once again at the business end of the match. Martinez decided to make the changes; he only had two left due to the early Pienaar injury. He first took Lukaku off who was struggling at this stage with the toe injury that was threatening to keep him out before the game. He brought McGeady on for him. Who in my book offered very little. He didn’t give Coleman much cover and when he did get the ball he gave it away or put it out of play.

For me the most obvious change was to bring more legs on in centre midfield. Osman was shattered as was Barry, we needed some more energy in there. Although relatively new and what we have seen from him, that man would’ve been Besic. We needed his energy in closing those Arsenal players down. Monreal had been given the freedom of the left hand side since Lukaku had been replaced. Giving Coleman an extra man to think about as Cazorla came over to double up on him. It was no surprise that the Arsenal goal eventually came from that side. With Cazorla drilling in a low cross from the left into a great area.

Unfortunately from our point of view Osman let Ramsey go and Distin and Jagielka didn’t once look behind them to see if there was any danger. Ramsey just ran straight into the space and tapped in from 3 yards out. Here we go again I began to think, the momentum now well and truly with the away side. Atsu then replaced Mirallas who was a bit hit and miss, at times looked good but at others looked poor and dispossessed far too easily.

Its early days for Atsu but he looks about 14! He had a few dribbles but I would expect him to play a cameo role this season not too unlike the role Deulofeu played for us last season. The clock by this time seemed to be going backwards it was ticking so slowly. By this point we were on our knees and looked shattered both physically and mentally. We were into the final minute of normal time when a wayward cross by Ramsey drifted over the box to the left hand side touch line. I thought and I’m sure others thought it would go out of play. It somehow stayed in and Monreal got to it first, Coleman tried to get out to block the cross but couldn’t, the ball heading towards the near post, Jagielka rose to head it away but got caught under the ball and Giroud coming in (holding Distin’s shirt) got in front of the Frenchman and nodded into the net past a hapless Howard who could just look at it.

Injury time ebbed away and what was three points with seven minutes to play we managed to turn it into one thanks to some poor defensive mistakes again.
Due to the seven minute nightmare, the result felt like a defeat. It was such an empty feeling of ‘how on earth did we manage that’. Huge disbelief, it was unreal. I’ve felt worse after games but I couldn’t believe how we’d gone from relative control to throwing away two points.

There are clearly some matters of concern. For me the main one is the fitness levels of the players. Preseason or the lack of a decent preseason is coming back to bite us. As happened at Leicester last week after 70 minutes we looks very tired both physically and mentally. We needed fresh legs and in my opinion Roberto chose the wrong options. Another area of concern is how easily we are gifting team’s goals. Twice in the space of two weeks we have gifted goals due to lack of concentration. I’ve been a big fan of Distin and has given us great service but I fear his age might be catching up with his now. Physically I don’t think there’s anything wrong with him but mentally he has made some shocking decisions, especially yesterday. He was caught ball watching for the first and got out muscled by Giroud for the second. Jagielka has to take some of the blame too as he was just as culpable for the first and second goal. Collectively they need a rocket up their backsides and we need to return to the hard to beat Everton we all love and know.

On the flipside there were some real positives from Saturday. The main one was how outstanding McCarthy was once again. I wish all the players had his engine and stamina levels, the lad just doesn’t stop running. If we’d had another couple more of him in the side there is no way we’re not winning that match. Lukaku’s return to Goodison as an Everton player was a real positive, he tormented Monreal and gave him real problems. He still isn’t fit but there were signs that he’s getting there. We’ve got to hope that the Toe injury isn’t too serious. Coleman’s goal scoring return was real evidence of the balance he gives us when he’s in the side. He compliments the width Baines gives us down the left on the right hand side.

Lastly my other positive was the continued goal scoring exploits of Steven Naismith, an often maligned player. For me he is the best finisher at the club, taking his chances at Leicester and yesterday with first touch finishes. Overall considering our atrocious preseason our attacking play is very positive. Another 90 minutes under most players belts will do them the world of good as well.

It’s still obvious that defensively we need to improve massively. Yesterday was a real kick in the teeth for everyone connected to the club. Roberto has a big week ahead both in trying to get some ground work done in regards to some deadline day deals, as well as trying to raise the players who will be hurting from yesterday’s second half debacle. Keep the faith Blues, we are traditional slow starters, it’s coming I can feel it!

Jamie Armstrong
@jamiearmstrong1