There was a feeling of déjà vu for Everton fans in gameweek one of the Premier League campaign, as they suffered a 3-0 home defeat by Brighton at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.
It was a familiar feeling not only because the Toffees had endured so many defeats similar to it in recent years at Goodison but also because there was a similar feeling of frustration after last season’s opening-day defeat against Fulham, albeit less of a defeat against the Cottagers.
Everything that could go wrong went wrong for the Toffees
In reality, the scoreline was slightly harsh on the Merseysiders. The Seagulls were clinical with their finishing, seemingly exploiting every lapse in a Toffees backline that was simply not good enough.
Strangely, on another day, this game could have been very different. For the first 20-odd minutes of the game, Sean Dyche’s team looked bright and was the better team.
However, they didn’t create too much in front of goal, which is a familiar story from recent seasons. That lack of creativity and cutting edge was not helped by some terrible luck on Saturday.
First, they had a Jack Harrison goal ruled out for offside early in the game before conceding. Then, early in the second half, Dominic Calvert-Lewin saw a penalty decision overturned by referee Simon Hooper after the intervention of VAR.
39 – At 39 years and 39 days, Ashley Young is the oldest player to ever be sent off in the Premier League. Ironic. #EVEBHA
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 17, 2024
After the Everton defence allowed Danny Welbeck the freedom of Goodison Park to score a second goal, veteran full-back Ashley Young was caught out and fouled the dangerous Kaoru Mitoma to earn a dismissal. A third goal by substitute Simon Adingra late on completed the Toffees miserable day.
The team selection extinguished any excitement
Everton enjoyed what looked like the club’s most positive transfer window in a long time. Exciting players like Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom arrived alongside promising young Irish defender Jake O’Brien.
However, the Toffees teamsheet had a familiar feeling about it, with only young midfielder Tim Iroegbunam making his debut. Toffees head coach Sean Dyche had the opportunity to give the fans some much-needed excitement on the opening day.
Instead, he went with the players he trusted. Unfortunately, those players have been part of the problem at Everton for too long. For instance, in the absence of star centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, Dyche selected Michael Keane, who has proven time and time again he is not good enough for the Premier League.
Keane didn’t have his worst game for the club but was caught out of position several times. He also backed off and allowed Welbeck the room to fire home Brighton’s crucial second goal.
What was the alternative? Well, Jake O’Brien, who is admittedly raw, as Dyche alluded to. However, how will the Republic of Ireland international gain experience without playing?
Then, Abdoulaye Doucoure played as a second striker when Ndiaye was available. Ndiaye was eventually introduced for Doucoure on 62 minutes. However, the game’s circumstances meant the Senegalese star had little time to make an impact.
In truth, Doucoure had little effect on the game, apart from being constantly caught in an offside position. He looked tired and cumbersome for much of the game.
Then there was Jasper Lindstrom, who failed to make it off the bench despite impressing with flashes of his ability in pre-season.
To be fair to Dyche, this was likely due to circumstances, too. In other circumstances, he could have come on and replaced Dwight McNeil, for example. However, the former Burnley star was needed for his defensive abilities.
The performance of the main attacking focal point, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, was also a significant concern. With his future up in the air at the club, he looked like a player with other things or places on his mind.
It wouldn’t be a massive surprise if Calvert-Lewin moved on before the transfer window closed. Despite enjoying a rare injury-free run in the Everton team last season, he still struggled to find the net on a regular basis.
The England international’s contract expires next summer. Maybe this is the right time for the two parties to go their separate ways. Everton could reinvest the money, while the player would get a fresh start elsewhere.
Sean Dyche won’t change
Considering the situation at Everton over the last 18 months, Sean Dyche has done an admirable job keeping things relatively steady. However, at times, the former Burnley man is his own enemy.
A one point last season, the Toffees had failed to win in four months. With a small squad of players, they struggled with fatigue at times. However, even with more players available, the evidence has shown that Dyche will pick his favourites despite it being against all logic.
With Dyche, it is a case of better the devil you know. A player can be consistently shocking, yet the Toffees boss will still pick said player ahead of giving another player a chance to prove themselves.
It’s harsh to pick on one player, but Michael Keane seems to be the hill that Dyche wants to die on. Last season, he was almost forced to drop the former Manchester United centre-back because of Jarrad Branthwaite’s undoubted talent.
However, by the time Dyche brought in Branthwaite, the Toffees had already made a nightmare start to their campaign. It feels like Dyche’s blind spots for players will be his downfall.
Everton fans know which players have stunk the club out for years, yet some are still in the squad. Most neutrals will also know which players have consistently let the Toffees down in recent years. It is not rocket science.
It is like a terrible Merseyside version of Groundhog Day without the added attraction of the excellent Bill Murray.
The problem is that Sean Dyche has his way of doing things, and he won’t change. He will be stupidly loyal to certain players, and that stupid loyalty may well lead to his undoing at Everton. Is Sean Dyche too loyal to certain players at Everton?