Everton will walk away from yesterday’s draw with Aston Villa happy to have claimed a point, but wary that it so easily could have been all three.
Before the game, many expected a hard-fought encounter against Unai Emery’s high-flying outfit.
After all, the Birmingham side have enjoyed an unprecedented resurgence under the Spaniard, and started the day just three points off the top of the table.
Meanwhile, the Toffees hovered dangerously above the relegation zone, as they still do.
And yet, such is the allure of the Premier League, it was a clash in which either side could have won.
Sean Dyche’s side arguably had the better chances, but were forced to defend like warriors as the game went on. He will be left ruing one chance in particular, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin racing through on goal in the first half only to fire straight at Emi Martinez.
Despite this, in which the striker was widely lambasted, it could be argued that Abdoulaye Doucoure fared no better.
How did Abdoulaye Doucoure play vs Aston Villa?
To his credit, the Mali international was making his return from injury after three weeks on the sidelines.
Therefore, his anonymity can be somewhat excused.
However, such a lack of technical quality is perhaps frustrating, given just how important a figure he has become for Dyche, and thus how reliant his teammates are on him too.
His underperformance blunted the bulk of Everton’s attacks, and it could be argued that such a sorry showing was even worse than Calvert-Lewin’s.
After all, whilst the striker did miss the outstanding chance to win the game for the hosts, he was at least a willing runner who challenged often and pressed relentlessly before his substitution.
Beto’s introduction emphasised the Englishman’s importance, given how disappointing he played for the final 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, Doucoure would only manage a meagre 32 touches throughout the full game, less than his goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Not only this, but the midfielder could only muster up an equally disappointing 57% pass accuracy whilst also losing 50% of the 12 duels he competed in, via Sofascore.
There was also a key moment late on in the first half, where he raced through on goal to finish well. Had he held his run against Villa’s impossibly high line, of which he was not far away from doing, it might have been him heralded as the match-winner.
Instead, he too missed a guilt-edge chance, and therefore was as bad, if not worse, than Calvert-Lewin.
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