Everton have started 2026 with a dreadful performance against Brentford, suffering a 4-2 defeat on their own patch.
David Moyes’ side were so poor defensively, although perhaps the worst player on the pitch was Merlin Rohl.
Despite playing just 45 minutes, Rohl was given a 2/10 score in the player ratings, as he gave the ball away countless times, with one leading to a goal.
Is that the worst individual performance from an Everton player this season? 😬
Leon Osman was critical of Tim Iroegbunam, too, with the former Aston Villa star missing a great chance in the first half.
Speaking to the media post-match, Moyes did admit that there is one silver lining from the Everton defeat.
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David Moyes pleased with one thing from Everton vs Brentford
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Moyes was critical of his side’s dismal defending but did admit that his two strikers scoring pleased him.
“I’m disappointed we didn’t play better,” the Everton boss explained.
“We were just a bit short in some areas. We were disappointing defensively today and not as strong as we have been.
“We are short on a lot of our creative players which showed at times. (But) we didn’t do our defensive duties as well as we could have done.
“When your centre forwards score goals that’s what we want. Today they didn’t have the support and back-up.
“If we’d kept a clean sheet we could have won. But no complaints, Brentford deserved the victory.”
Before today’s game, Barry and Beto had scored just three Premier League goals between them, so for them both to find the back of the net can only boost their confidence going forward.
What did we learn from Everton’s defeat?
Well, it’s pretty evident that Everton badly need to address the full-back areas, as Jake O’Brien and Vitali Mykolenko offer very little going forward.
The two centre-backs had a nightmare, so perhaps the debate over whether Jarrad Branthwaite should come straight back in ends.
If you were forced to pick a MOTM vs Brentford, who would you go for?
Moyes should also now recognise that Dwight McNeil simply isn’t good enough to play the number 10 role.
Perhaps Tyler Dibling could be utilised in that position whilst Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is out injured, although the teenager didn’t have his best game today either.
Everton return to action on Wednesday against 20th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, so there will be pressure on them to win that game.
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