Everton's first defeat of the season, a 2-0 loss to Chelsea, has been described as more frustrating for the manner of the performance than the result itself. The team appeared not to be "up for it," and after going one-nil down, there was a perceived lack of fight.
Accountability has been called for across the board, from the manager and coaching staff to the players, with an emphasis on the need for players to think for themselves during the whole game. Captain James Tarkowski, who had a "half decent game," was singled out for a "daft shoulder barge" in front of the referee that resulted in a yellow card and conceded possession.
Slow Starts and Tactical Concerns
The match highlighted a recurring issue of slow, passive starts, particularly at home. A question was raised about whether a negative line-up sets the tone, allowing teams to dictate play at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The midfield struggled to gain a foothold early on, with Chelsea controlling the ball for the first 15-20 minutes.
A challenge by Harrison Armstrong was noted as a changing point that lifted the crowd and shifted momentum, but the team still started slowly. Thierno Barry had an opportunity from a cross that, if converted, could have changed the game.
Refereeing and Game Management
Referee Paul Tierney's performance was heavily criticized. Contrary to Danny Murphy's praise on Match of the Day, the referee was described as not letting the game flow, with five players booked in the first half. The early yellow card for Armstrong's challenge was seen as setting a tone that hindered his involvement.
Poor game management was evident in the concession of possession through "daft decision making." Examples included goalkeeper Jordan Pickford kicking to Jack Grealish when the opposing right-back was 6ft 3in, while not testing the same height advantage with Merlin Rohl on the other side. A lack of pattern of play was noted, with the team relying on long balls instead of a structured approach.
Key Moments and Substitutions
A 50/50 challenge between Morgan Rogers and James Garner, where Garner came off worse, was highlighted. It was argued that consistency from the referee should have resulted in a second yellow card for Rogers, with Mike Dean even suggesting it was a straight red.
David Moyes's decision to start Merlin Rohl to counter Chelsea's left-back was questioned, especially as the first goal came from that side. The substitution of Christian Norgaard, who was described as "way off it" in terms of fitness, led to a free-kick and yellow card that resulted in Chelsea's second goal, effectively ending the game.
Hayden Hackney was praised for his impact in previous games, demanding the ball and driving forward, a quality lacking in the team's overall play. The performance against Chelsea's reserve goalkeeper, Mike Penders, was also criticized, with the team failing to test him with shots on target or low crosses.
