Once again Everton produced an abysmal away day performance against an in-form Southampton side at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon.
It had already turned into a nightmare day for many Evertonians as no trains ran from London to Southampton all day on Saturday leaving many stranded and not able to get to the ground, also many had to find alternative ways of getting home also.
Frank Lampard went with an unchanged lineup from the one that easily beat Leeds United in the previous game. For Ralph Hasenhuttl and Southampton they made one change from an encouraging point at Manchester United. Tino Livramento came in at right full back was the only alteration.
After a good and fast start by Everton, they lost momentum and any game plan later in the first half, before putting in an abject second half performance to lose 2-0. Goals by Stuart Armstrong and substitute Shane Long, his first since February 2020, in that second half meant Everton still have not won away since the end of August.
Everton were denied a penalty in that fast start, there did seem to be a handball by Oriel Romeu but despite a long check by VAR, the penalty was not given. On further analysis, it seemed VAR did not have a close enough view to say there had been a clear mistake by the referee Andy Madley.
In the following pages, we will look at why Everton produced another woeful away performance and what can be done to turn it around. The defence will come under scrutiny and changes will have to be made, Andre Gomes midfield display as a substitute, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s demeanour, Jordon Pickford’s man of the match display for the away side and what can Lampard change going forward to get better results away from home.
Other results did not go Everton’s way either as Watford and Burnley won, and Newcastle got a point at West Ham. While the home games have offered sanctuary for Lampard since his appointment, the predicament Everton find themselves in it may well need some away points to keep them up.
Continued on next page….