We rate every Everton player’s performance from the damaging 5-2 loss to the Gunners at Goodison Park, which could seal Ronald Koeman’s fate.
When something astonishing happened in a game, legendary NFL commentator Dick Enberg would sometimes utter the phrase “Oh, My!” With apologies for bringing another sport into the equation, this seems like the ideal sentiment to use, following the embarrassment Everton suffered on Sunday against Arsenal.
Actually, while we’re apologising, I owe you another one – and it’s significant. Consider this exert from my article on Saturday:
"“Thanks to West Ham United and Stoke City both losing, Everton are guaranteed not to be in the bottom three when the weekend’s fixtures are completed.”"
Yep, that’s right. I forgot that ever so small matter of goal difference, with the Blues now possessing the second-worst in the Premier League. As a result of the 5-2 drubbing from Arsenal, Everton do now find themselves in the bottom three.
We’ve been among Ronald Koeman’s most staunch supporters, genuinely believing the guy needs more time to turn things around. However, even we now concede that maybe it’s best to pull the cord.
Sometimes, a relationship just isn’t working and you just need to go your separate ways. There is something fundamentally wrong with the current setup and — fair or not — the buck has to stop with Koeman.
Just don’t tell that to the Ductchman, who is still convinced he can get Everton back on track. As reported by Phil McNulty of BBC Sport, Koeman said:
"“I still believe I can change the whole situation but everybody knows how it works in football. That is all I answer about this situation so ask somebody else. “It is how you look to the situation. If you start to think negative then maybe there is no solution. I am not like that.”"
Koeman’s unwavering belief is admirable, but the writing seems to be on the wall, with the players just not responding to his management style. Talking of which, let’s get to the player ratings from Sunday’s nightmare.