After a day which saw huge protests in and around Goodison Park, Everton lost to Manchester United 3-0 to leave them still rooted in the relegation zone.
Obviously all Toffees supporters were hoping that the players would be lifted to a win by the emotional scenes and protests against the points deduction, before the game. It wasn’t to be.
Everton could and should have scored at least a couple of goals themselves and had they done so might well have got something from the match.
But instead they missed several gilt-edged chances and paid for their profligacy as in the end they were soundly beaten this afternoon.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the most guilty individual as he didn’t take his opportunities while Dwight McNeil had a shot cleared off the line too as the failure to finish the chances they created returned to haunt the Blues.
This problem of course cost them three consecutive defeats at home when the season kicked-off and having only failed to find the net on one occasion, away at Liverpool, since victory over Bournemouth on the 7th October, they once again would rue their missed chances.
Manager Sean Dyche picked the Everton team most would have predicted playing in the 4-4-1-1 formation with Idrissa Gueye coming in for Amadou Onana who hadn’t shaken off his injury in time to start.
However the home side were behind after just three minutes and to one of the best goals seen at Goodison for a long time.
Alejandro Garnacho’s sensational strike gave United a lead they didn’t deserve and it took the wind out of the supporters sails for a while and the Blues weren’t able to draw level going in one down at halftime.
In the second period United added two more goals through a Marcus Rashford penalty and then Anthony Martial scored a third to wrap up the points for the visitors.
So, Everton couldn’t capitalise on the fervent support they had enjoyed today and in the end it turned out to be a deflating afternoon for the Toffees.
Next Saturday the Blues travel to Nottingham Forest in desperate need for points and renewed momentum after a truly tumultuous week.