Goodison was almost empty when the final whistle blew but those folded blue seats only told part of a complicated story.
Perhaps a better starting point than the thousands of empty chairs would be the sound that resonated around the ground from the away end. After a closing rendition of ‘I’m Forever blowing Bubbles’, the celebrating West Ham United supporters turned their attention to goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
The visiting number one made nine saves, including one from the penalty spot, in another bizarre match in L4. It was some achievement for Everton to play this well and lose. But lose – again – they did.
Whoever is writing the script for Everton’s season has a cruel sense of humour. And, it feels, every joke is at the expense of the Blues. But unless someone quickly takes responsibility for setting their own narrative then Everton will find themselves back in the trouble that, 60 minutes into this game, they were so close to pulling clear from.
There is a set of headlines from this match that should read like the overview of a much-needed, season-defining win. A first penalty of the season – finally. A first meaningful goal from a striker since Dominic Calvert-Lewin last scored against this opposition back in October. A barrage of efforts on goal, chances created and the redemption story of Beto – who missed that penalty, and the best opportunity from open play, but had the courage to keep going and nod his side into a second-half lead.
Instead, Everton are winless in 10 league games, have not earned three points in front of their own supporters in three months and for a third week in a row have missed a glorious chance to build much-needed momentum. That winless league streak in front of home fans is guaranteed to stretch to four months, by the way – this team does not return to action in L4 until early April. Spare a thought for those home fans who, constantly told this is a season of progress – including by myself, have enjoyed just three league wins this campaign. That is tens of thousands of passionate, determined supporters making hundreds of thousands of unhappy memories.
