Everton v Norwich
DAVID MOYES’ mood fell flatter than one of Billy Butler’s pre-match gags, and it was no surprise.
Last week the Everton boss was as angry as he has ever been after a match, livid at seeing his side surrender an easy three points at Reading. He was more sedate this week, but his frustration was still palpable.
Little wonder. As Goodison Park assumed a retro theme, all old-school matchday programmes, pink ECHOs and dubious jokes, Everton appear to have slipped into familiar old habits. There were boos from a small minority at the final whistle here after Norwich slipped away with a point.
And while that may seem a tad strange – Moyes’ side are, after all, fifth in the Premier League, ahead of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool, among others – there is an underlying frustration at Goodison, a fear that having waited eight years to make a strong start to a campaign, the good work is being undone by a series of wasteful afternoons.
This was another to add to the list. Having squandered points at Fulham and Reading in recent weeks, they were at it again here. Sebastien Bassong’s 90th-minute equaliser will have felt like a hammer blow to Everton’s Champions League hopes.
The sight of Christmas lights at Goodison is usually enough to prompt an upsurge in form, but winter has not been kind to Everton this time around. December’s fixtures mean things could get worse before they get better.
There were mitigating circumstances here, to be fair. Moyes’ squad was diminished by injury and suspension – they were without Marouane Fellaini, Seamus Coleman, Phil Neville, Victor Anichebe, Darron Gibson and Kevin Mirallas – and, as control slipped away from his side in the second half, his substitutes’ bench provided little comfort. Everton’s six outfield replacements had a total of four Premier League goals to their name.
Moyes also questioned the decision of referee Mike Jones to award the free kick from which Bassong eventually levelled. Replays showed contact between Leighton Baines and Steve Morison was minimal but, with the Norwich striker meandering away from goal towards half-way, it was needless of Baines to place two hands into his back.
Of more concern to Moyes, in any case, will be his side’s issues at both ends of the field.
And in particular the form of two players he will have considered to be key to his side’s aspirations this season.
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