Everton’s 3-1 defeat to West Ham United on Saturday has sent alarm bells ringing among the Goodison Park faithful.
What started as a positive week for the Toffees, with four points being handed back, ended in misery as they shipped three goals in the final 30 minutes to throw the game away.
Sean Dyche’s side were wasteful in front of goal and speaking post-match, the Toffees boss told BBC Sport: “We’re creating that many chances we have to take them. It’s our responsibility because it’s getting to the point where you can’t believe what you’re seeing.”
Beto, who squandered a golden opportunity from the penalty spot, has endured a dismal debut season for Everton this term and yesterday was certainly a day to forget for the Portuguese forward.
Though, it wasn’t just him who was responsible for the defeat, Dyche’s wide were wasteful across the pitch and have been all season.
Everton rank bottom of concerning stat
The Merseysiders are firmly in a relegation battle and will remain towards the lower end of the table if they don’t solve their goalscoring problems.
They are the division’s third-lowest scorers and according to X account Opta Analyst, have scored just 29 goals from shots worth 41.5 expected goals this term.
That -12.5 underperformance is the worst in the league and is nearly double that of any other side in the top flight. Brentford’s -6.4 ranks them a place above Everton in 19th.
So with that said, it’s clear to see where Dyche’s problems lie. They are creating chances but too many are being wasted and that must change heading into the business end of the season if they are to avoid relegation.
Sean Dyche must find a solution to Everton’s wastefulness
The Toffees lack a real natural goalscorer and have ever since Richarlison’s departure to Tottenham Hotspur in 2022.
Their current leading goalscorer in the Premier League this season is midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure with six.
Whilst it’s certainly a positive to have a goalscoring midfielder, it’s a damning reflection on the forwards who have struggled to convert chances.
The wide players need to take responsibility, too. It can’t all rest on the shoulders of Beto and Dominic Calvert Lewin.
Jack Harrison’s three-goal tally must be added to the remaining 11 games, as must Dwight McNeil’s. The former Burnley wide player has found the net just twice this term.
Everton now have three consecutive away games coming up and must get back to winning ways.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
