Everton’s collapse on Saturday, allowing AFC Bournemouth to score three unanswered goals in just nine minutes, was one of if not the worst in Premier League history.
And it could only have happened to the Toffees, really.
Whenever there’s a new unwanted record to be broken, or a player who hasn’t scored all season, Goodison Park is the place to visit, and now everybody knows it.
Even Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker, who despite feeling bad for Sean Dyche and his side, even admitted they felt it coming.
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker react to Everton’s collapse
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, aired earlier today, the three pundits all combined to express their shared sympathies towards the Toffees.
After all, having thrown away their 2-0 lead after leading in the 87th minute, they became the latest team in Premier League history to achieve such a feat.
Shearer was the first to voice his opinion on the dramatic collapse: ‘We’ve said it before haven’t we Gaz? How many times does a goal change a game? I mean, they are 2-0 up in the 87th minute and then they get one, all of a sudden a little bit of edginess and nervousness from the crowd. That seeps down to the pitch and the players. Before you know it you’re 3-2 down and you’re thinking what the hell has gone on?
‘I mentioned before the break about Palace going into the international break without a point but great for them that they got one… can you imagine how Everton are feeling?’
Lineker, as a former Everton player, was also on hand to give his thoughts: ‘The difference between a good win, 2-0 or so and then going into the international break, you come back with fresh hope.
‘Psychologically, that’s pretty devastating isn’t it for all the people at Everton.’
Sean Dyche has to whip Everton into shape over the international break
As they touch on, such a devastating event could not have happened at a worse time for Everton, heading into the first international break of the Premier League season.
Especially given, upon their return, a trip to Aston Villa awaits.
Had they beaten the Cherries, as it seemed they would with some comfort, fans would have been buoyed, safe in the knowledge that they had points on the board and could dismantle lesser teams at Goodison Park.
Alas, now the club is in a state of panic, and Dyche will have to work hard to whip these players into shape over the next week or two.
His inability to make substitutes was a killer, but a lack of fitness let the players down too. After this international break, this can no longer be a viable excuse.
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
