VAR goes against Everton again
Once again Everton had a VAR decision go against them as the Toffees came from behind to rescue a point against West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Of course the VAR decision wasn’t the reason why Everton could only manage a draw in this game. In truth the Blues didn’t deserve anything more from this match than a single point. However it is yet another example of how few breaks the Blues get in this league.
Saying that, this was a pretty dismal game from Everton. Once more the Toffees couldn’t take their home form with them when on the road and away from the grand old lady. As I’ve said before, it seems to be a chronic psychological problem this set of players have.
In the first half the home team were on top, although they were hardly playing that well, and created several good chances. West Ham striker Sebastien Haller had a succession of chances but was very wasteful, if he hadn’t been then the game might have been over by halftime.
Jordan Pickford was called into action several times though despite this wastefulness, before the Hammers took a probably deserved lead.
Lo and behold the Toffees were undone by yet another set play. For about the hundredth time over the past few seasons, the Blues couldn’t clear a ball into their box from a free-kick and West Ham’s Diop headed in for the opening goal.
Everton did however respond well and were quickly back on level terms. Following another free kick this time from Lucas Digne, Dominic Calvert-Lewin produced a great header himself and forced the ball home for 1-1.
In the second half the game hardly improved and neither team looked capable of winning it. There were a few chances made but the quality of football was pretty lamentable at times.
The Toffees seemed tired and jaded once again and lacked any real creativity, especially when Carlo Ancelotti took off Bernard at halftime.
The Brazilian wasn’t at his best for sure, but to be honest no one else was trying to make anything happen. This is the second week in a row that Ancelotti has taken him off the pitch. His fitness seems to be an ongoing issue.
The chronic lack of creativity is a massive problem in the Blues game, amongst many other things! In the absence of Andre Gomes especially, Everton really lack any players who can unlock a defence with consistency.
Let’s hope that Gomes can come back before the season is out and that the returning Alex Iwobi can offer more than he has done recently.
One source of creativity last season was left-back Digne. This campaign though he has been a pale shadow of his former self.
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And this season in fact it’s his opposite number Djibril Sidibe who has been the most effective of the two, with 5 assists.
So I am surprised that Seamus Coleman got the nod over Sidibe to start. Coleman is a shadow of his former self and to be honest even at his peak he was never a really creative player. Sidibe did make a difference when he came on.
Well with the game winding down, West Ham substitute Albian Ajeti pushed his head back right into Mason Holgate’s face. It seemed a deliberate foul but surprise, surprise VAR decided that there was nothing in it and no action was taken.
At any rate, one thing is for sure, Everton will have to up their game again on Tuesday when the Blues host an awkward Newcastle United. At least the Toffees are at home again.