They say the first goal is all important.
But for Everton this season it hasn’t always made the difference.
Aaron Lennon’s neat strike at the Liberty Stadium yesterday should have been the platform for the Blues to go on and secure a fourth successive Premier League win.
But for the eighth time this season, Everton scored the first goal in a Premier League game but failed to go on and win.
Roberto Martinez lamented his side’s lack of killer instinct against Swansea on Saturday afternoon as they inability to find the second goal gave the home side – and their fans – enough hope.
Martinez could not legislate for Seamus Coleman’s moment of madness in giving away a penalty which Jonjo Shelvey converted, but we’ve heard him bemoan his side’s lack of cutting edge already this term.
So why have Everton developed a nasty habit of blowing leads?
If they want to get back on track next season and start challenging for European qualification then the need to be more ruthless.
Winning only half of the games you have taken the lead in is a ratio that has to be improved.
Is it down to a lack of confidence?
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A lack of concentration , craft and quality or even luck?
Or is it simply the calling card of a season to learn from but quickly forget?
Swansea should never have got back into this game after Lennon’s goal helped cut through the dross.
The hosts looked like they were there for the taking.
But as Everton failed to strike while the iron was hot, City slowly crept back into the game before finding the equaliser, albeit in fortuitous circumstances after Coleman’s handball.
Following the Blues’ defeat to Spurs in November, where they scored the first goal but ended up losing 2-1, Martinez said: “We scored that first goal from open play with real style.
“From that point on the game went into a little bit of a strange period.
“From our point of view, we are a lot better at managing the game from that point and we lacked a little bit of intent to get that second goal.”
The very same analysis could have been offered to the draw at Swansea.
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