The last ever Carabao Cup game at Goodison Park ended in very sour fashion for the home side – Everton had only 26% possession against a poor, newly promoted Southampton side, leaving them without a win against Premier League opposition this season. This follows one of the most disappointing periods in the club’s history, as 2-0 leads were bottled and turned into a defeat, in both of the previous two games. Losing on penalties is mentally tough for any supporter, but it was arguably the last thing the Everton faithful needed right now.
Let’s start with mainly the only positives, two teenagers, academy products started for Everton last night, and both of them played very well. 17 year old midfielder Harrison Armstrong made his first start for the club, looking assured and composed on the ball. Meanwhile Romaine Dixon’s 2nd start at right back was full of pace and self-confidence. Perfect.
Everything else, very disappointing, they had no intention of wanting the ball against a much weaker side and still managed to miss countless big chances – new signing Jesper Lindstrom in particular. There was very little to inspire a despairing Goodison Park crowd.
Ashley Young is repeatedly blamed for Everton’s problems this season, he cannot seem to catch a break in an Everton shirt – and was even booed as he was subbed on (for striker Beto, a decision which seemingly meant Everton further lost control of the game and had no identity with the ball). Now, I don’t condone booing players for simply being subbed onto the pitch, but it got worse for Young. He went on to miss the decisive penalty, after the 11 players before him all scored, subsequently becoming the last ever footballer to touch the ball in the League Cup at Goodison Park.
Sean Dyche has done an excellent job as Everton manager, putting out countless fires, but even I am begging to have doubts…