Former Everton forward Gary Lineker believes the defeat to Bournemouth could be ‘devastating’ for the club. The Blues threw away a two-goal lead in spectacular fashion on Saturday, giving up three goals after the 86th minute to suffer a 3-2 loss.
Everton had been the dominant force throughout the game and were in total control after goals from Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Then a strike from Antoine Semenyo triggered a total capitulation, before Lewis Cook and Luis Sinisterra completed the comeback.
The defeat leaves Everton bottom of the Premier League table after just three games. They have conceded 10 times in their opening matches, including three times in each fixture at Goodison Park.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker said he was stunned at what unfolded at the weekend.
“The difference between getting a good win and then going into the international break you come back with fresh hope,” he said. “But psychologically that’s pretty devastating isn’t it for all the people at Everton; the fans as well as the players.”
Lineker’s co-host Alan Shearer, the all-time Premier League top scorer, also shared his verdict on the meltdown from Sean Dyche’s side.
“We’ve said it before haven’t we about how many times a goal can change a game, I mean they were 2-0 up in the 87th minute,” he said. “Then they get one and all of a sudden, a little bit of edginess and nervousness from the crowd and then that seeps down to the pitch and before you know it, you’re 3-2 down and you’re thinking what the hell has gone on?”
Everton have two weeks to stew on the loss as the players will break for international fixtures.
When they return the team faces a daunting trip to Aston Villa, before Premier League fixtures away at Leicester and then at home to Crystal Palace.
