Everton are now eleven Premier League games without a victory after Manchester United ran out 2-0 winners at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.
Two first-half penalties were enough for Erik Ten Hag’s side to ease into an unassailable lead and extend the Toffees’ winless run.
It was a similar story for Sean Dyche’s men, with plenty of possession and shots to show after full-time.
However, the lack of cutting-edge was evident again, with Everton failing to find the back of Andre Onana’s net.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Luton Town picked up a precious point against Crystal Palace, which could be significant come the end of the season.
That view is also shared by Alan Shearer, who believes uncertainty over Everton and Nottingham Forest makes every point The Hatters pick up vital.
Alan Shearer names ‘huge’ moment that could impact Everton
Talking on the Rest is Football Podcast, Shearer said: “That could be a huge point [for Luton].
“I know we’ve said it before, but for those three at the bottom, because of what could happen to Everton and Nottingham Forest, it’s really important that they pick up the odd points here and there.
“Also, Tom Lockyer did say from a player’s perspective, they are thinking about what could happen to the other two clubs as well. It is being spoken about.”
Everton must control the controllable, which involves picking up points faster than they currently are.
There’s nothing Dyche and the players can do about the impending Premier League charge, but it does feel like the club’s difficult situation is impacting on-the-field performances.
Before Christmas, Everton enjoyed an excellent run of form, culminating in four Premier League wins on the spin. Where has that form gone?
The three-week break has probably come at a good time. It allows Dyche to escape the pressures of Premier League football and address his team’s goalscoring issues.
This winless run cannot continue when their campaign resumes at the end of the month.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
