Everton’s latest fixture against Sean Dyche’s Burnley only served to exacerbate existing miseries for the Toffees.
Everton were firm favourites for the game as Burnley continued to loiter in and around the relegation zone, though a lone Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal was all that could be mustered as Ancelotti’s side rescued a point.
The Burnley game was not a lone flounder; Everton have failed to win in their last two as they continue to feed off of the three points they claimed in a 3-2 win over Fulham. Prior to that, Ancelotti’s side had endured a further winless run of four games.
To compound matters, the underlying stats only reinforce the issues facing Ancelotti’s side.
One key consolation was that Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s strike leaves him a goal clear at the summit of the Premier League’s top scorers list this season, though that is essentially where the positives stop.
Lucas Digne is clearly a missed man – there was not a single attempt at a cross from a left wing-back in the game. Digne, who managed two assists against Fulham, is evidently a key creative outlet for Ancelotti’s plans. Without him, the Toffees had melted on the left side as Richarlison looked increasingly isolated.
Such an issue was echoed through Alex Iwobi, operating as a right wing-back. Defensively, he was a solid option – completing three tackles and six recoveries. He also completed two successful dribbles as he sought to disrupt Burnley’s defence.
Yet again however, Iwobi also failed to manage any crosses for target man Calvert-Lewin or indeed anyone else.
The entire purpose of wing-backs is to assist creatively – with the wing-backs seemingly abysmal against the Clarets.
Unless this issue is rectified, expect future creative woes.
