- Everton have not won a game of football since March.
- Blues have conceded two or more goals in each of their last five matches.
- It has been six years since the Toffees last did so.
Everton’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace was marked by wasteful finishing and lapses in concentration.
The Blues are still in the fight for European qualification, but they have now squandered any hope they had of sneaking in a Champions League spot.
It is now back-to-back games where the Toffees have surrendered a lead and ended up only coming away with a solitary point.
David Moyes has built a defensively sound Everton side, yet in recent weeks they have looked sloppy and undisciplined, which is greatly harming their chances of a high finish in the league.
Everton have conceded two or more goals in five successive games
Stemming from the 2-2 draw against Brentford, the Toffees have now conceded two or more goals in five successive matches.
The last time Everton managed to do so was in 2020 when Carlo Ancelotti was in charge on Merseyside.
The Blues’ 3-0 victory against Chelsea was their 11th clean sheet of the Premier League season, and they were proving to be one of the best defensive units in the division.
Losing Jarrad Branthwaite to a hamstring injury was a true blow for Moyes’ side, however, recent matches have seen the men in royal blue commit silly mistakes and gift teams opportunities to work their way into games.
New bodies are needed in defence
With just two matches remaining in the Premier League season, Everton will likely stick with the same back four of Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, and Vitalii Mykolenko.
Typically, Branthwaite would slot in for Keane in this back four, but improvements must be made in the summer.
Today saw the defensive duo of Tarkowski and Keane get bullied by Jean-Philippe Mateta, who came on as a substitue, and managed to bag the second equaliser.
The pair have been good servants for the club and still maintain value in this Everton side, but more athletic options are needed in the heart of the defence.
Once he has recovered, Branthwaite will slot back in perfectly as a naturally left-sided defender.
Ahead of next season, it would be wise for Moyes to shift O’Brien into his natural position at centre back and allow the Irishman to form a defensive partnership with Branthwaite.
The upcoming transfer window is set to be a busy one for Everton, and it is of utmost importance that they improve the quality of their ageing back line.
