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Everton 0 Wolves 1: Players throw in the towel at Goodison

By Matt Townsend

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Frank Lampard, Manager of Everton reacts following defeat in the Premier League match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on March 13, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Frank Lampard, Manager of Everton reacts following defeat in the Premier League match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on March 13, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Everton went down to another calamitous defeat as they lost by a single goal to Wolves yesterday slipping ever closer to relegation as a result.

This was a match that I felt was critical for Everton to take all three points from after their latest disasterous trip away from home to Tottenham.

Well, of course they didn’t and fell to what was Frank Lampard’s second straight home Premier League defeat.

While the loss to Manchester City had seen the Toffees go toe-to-toe with the champions and almost get something from the game while also suffering an outrageous piece of bias officiating, no such comfort could be drawn from yesterday’s defeat.

It really felt like the players collectively threw the towel in and have effectively already given up the fight.

After the usual mirage of a briefly promising start, the Blues’ quickly subsided into the sort of lethargic and underwhelming performance that has been seen over and over again from this group of players. Whatever home honeymoon Lampard might have had, is over.

The manager himself again changed his tactics and once more it didn’t work. He looked like he had reverted to a back three as he had against Boreham Wood.

I argued again in my match preview that it was necessary to return to the 4-3-3 that so many of us have been crying out for over the last year or so at least and which proved such a strong and flexible formation against Manchester City.

Obviously, systems and tactics are only part of a successful team and it doesn’t matter how you line up your team if the players don’t turn up and perform. However, providing as consistent, balanced and solid a base as possible will surely help.

As it was the home team’s midfield was once again ultimately outworked and outplayed with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Donny van de Beek losing the battle.

Wolves gradually were taking control of the match especially after scoring early in the second half as Everton’s defensive failures were exposed again.

Once that goal had been scored, the Blues never looked remotely like replying and the match petered out with the away team comfortable and deserved winners in the end. In addition, other results didn’t go Everton’s way further compounding the consequences of this defeat.

The Toffees away form has now come home to Goodison Park, which is perhaps the most disturbing thing of all.

And, after this latest disaster I think it will now take a miracle for Everton to survive as this set of so-called football players lack any of the qualities needed for a relegation fight.

To be honest I have lost any remaining hope this season can be salvaged and all of my lingering enthusiasm for a team and a club I have supported for so many years.

Newcastle are the visitors on Thurday night and have been in good form recently as they also battle to avoid the drop. One more win might be enough for them.

After yesterday’s loss they will be confident of adding to the Blues’ woes later this week. Defeat on Thursday is surely unthinkable, but honestly who though would now bet against it?