On a night where many of us were marching to Goodison riding on the cloud of Koeman’s apparent invulnerability, we’re all coming away shocked.
The problem ran all through the team tonight, from Koeman to Valencia as not one player put in an exceptional performance. The team was sluggish and wasteful, hesitant to be clinical in situations where the instinct of a first-time show could have worked better than around 80 touches around the opposition box. Compare this to Norwich, who had two good chances and put them both away with ease, leaving us a bit red-faced.
Koeman will be able to see (hopefully) that certain players don’t belong at Everton, or at least need a break from the first team. Too many tonight shied away from the game, where players should have flourished.
Let’s have a look at my ratings. Not for the faint-hearted…
Maarten Stekelenburg - 5
Nothing to do besides pick it out the net twice. Unfortunately, could do nothing about either goal.
Séamus Coleman - 6
Poor first half but tried to lead by example in the second half. With little support and failing to rally the troops, a night to forget for the skipper.
Ashley Williams - 6
The defence as a whole was poor tonight, as simple passes split them apart for the first goal, and Josh Murphy waltzed through for the second.
Mason Holgate - 4
Not a centre back. Please don’t make him a cut-rate Stones, Koeman. He was shocking in the air tonight and was bullied in the physical battles throughout.
Ramiro Funes Mori - 5
Out of position and out of his comfort zone tonight. Pushed on well in the second half, but abandoned the defensive aspect of his role constantly.
He did nothing to convince the uncertain Everton fans of his ability tonight. Shaky all around.
Idrissa Gueye - 6
Not himself tonight, as many weren’t, giving away cheap balls. Granted, this may be because he had to cover for the entire midfield as his teammates let him down horribly.
He still hounded the opposition midfield, but sorely missed the presence of Barry next to him.
Tom Cleverley - 5
Did what he could but was wholly unremarkable. Played too safe.
He is not Gareth Barry, nor a defensive midfielder for that matter. It may have been better to start him over Barkley as a Number 10.
Gerard Deulofeu - 4
Appalling from the Spaniard tonight. Let down the trust Koeman showed in him and possibly showed us why he hasn’t been starting. Needs to get his act together, fast, or he’ll find himself out the door.
Ross Barkley - 2
Oh dear. Barkley has lost his way and has shown no effort to try to improve. If this was my decision, he wouldn’t play for Everton again until he grows up and grafts to become Barkley again.
There are a number of players who can do what he did tonight. And do it much, much better.
He was sloppy, slow and safe. He is not the flair-filled, powerful Ross Barkley from two years ago. He needs to regain that or we’ll see our diamond become a run-of-the-mill midfielder excelling in nothing.
(Am I being harsh? Maybe. You wouldn’t read these otherwise.)
Aaron Lennon - 6
Fair play, the lad did try tonight. He was the one in midfield who looked willing to chase down and apply pressure. End product was uncharacteristically lacking, though.
Enner Valencia - 5
If you’re going to be the sole, key man up top, you need to actively get invoked and not wait for the ball to come to you. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and say that the supply he had tonight was shocking also.
Substitutes
Yannick Bolasie 5 – Couldn’t find anywhere to fit into the game. Looked lost when he came on, with only one cross to show for 20 minutes.
Kevin Mirallas 6 – He should have started. He really did want to drag us through that but was let down by no one to target in the middle. Nearly scored with a late free kick.