So with Everton having such a brilliant start to the new season with their transfer window up and running, one small tinge of regret for the Toffees might be not making the Top 4 last season. yes, you might argue that was never easy, but neither was Leicester City’s title-winning run. Here at The 4th Official, we have a look at the reasons why Everton could not finish in the top 4 last season.
Terrible start to the season- The primary reason for the Toffees not making it into the top four was their poor first half of the season. Ronald Koeman started the season with a bang last year winning four of the first five games, which even included a strong display against dominating Tottenham Hotspur that ended in a draw at the Goodison Park.
However, things took an ugly turn since then with a shocking 1-0 loss to Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium. The Cherries did churn out some really unexpected results in the Premier League at their backyard, but a win against a totally in-form Everton was really unexpected. Their next fixture was comparatively an easier one at home to Crystal Palace but they failed to take advantage, and their confidence took a hard hit.
The dampening spirit was hard to regain and Everton went on to draw with Manchester City and lose against Burnley at Turf Moor. The confidence was clearly gone and after a glimmering hope in a West Ham United win soon after, Chelsea humiliated them 5-0 at Stamford Bridge. Everton lost six games and drew the same number in the first half of the season that left them lingering in the bottom half.
Right wing collapse- The season-ending injury to Yannick Bolasie, one of the top transfers upon Koeman’s arrival, was really a huge blow for the Toffees, something they never really recovered from. The former Crystal Palace winger had brought in vibrancy in the attacking third, managing a goal and four assists in the 14 games he played.
His absence slashed Everton’s attack by half and the other option of 30-year-old Aaron Lennon was of little help. The once deadly winger has almost lost his jolt of pace and Koeman wasn’t at all confident in him. He made 11 appearances and managed only an assist in them. Koeman could only manage to bring in young Ademola Lookman from Charlton Wanderers in a tight winter transfer window.
Lack of Defensive depth- Just when Everton were at their peak of the season in the second half they had to deal with the season-ending blows to Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes-Mori. Coleman was Everton’s flagbearer last season scoring four and assisting four in 26 games, and his sudden leg break on international duty couldn’t have come at a worse time. It was soon followed by the injury to Funes Mori.
The Argentine centre-half had just taken over the mantle from Everton’s defensive veteran Phil Jagielka when he experienced a muscle tear. His absence was soon followed by a 3-1 loss to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby and a nervy draw against Manchester United.
