Garth Crooks criticises Everton for their actions during their 2-1 loss to Luton Town.
The Blues’ brief run of form came to a stop on Saturday, September 30 when the Hatters defeated the Toffees 2-1 to terminate the mood-lifting victory against Aston Villa and Brentford. This was the Hatters’ first-ever Premier League victory.
While Crooks was quick to praise a few Luton players for their performances at Goodison Park, he was also incredibly quick to criticise aspects of the Toffees display. Dyche’s team still hasn’t won at home this season; they last did so on the final day of the 2022–23 campaign.
“I’m not entirely sure if this win by Luton is a commentary on how good the visitors were to pick up their first ever win in the Premier League or how poor Everton were in front of goal,” he wrote in a piece for his BBC Sport Team of the Week on October 3 that featured Tom Lockyer and Carlton Morris.
“Why does Everton always play at home? They have dropped seven of their last eight games.
If Everton truly wants to move up the Premier League standings and out of the relegation zone, they need to start taking their chances in front of goal. Dyche’s team has proven they are more than capable of producing opportunities.
The Toffees’ victory over Brentford appeared to be the first—and possibly the only—time so far this season that they took full advantage of every opportunity that presented itself. By the time Christmas rolls around, Dyche’s team will be secure if that kind of form can be sustained every week.
But to perform so poorly in front of goal, particularly at your own stadium, is concerning given that Everton’s offence is arguably at its peak right now. Jack Harrison is back in the lineup, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in fighting shape, and Beto paid a significant money this summer to join the team.
Fans might blame Calvert-Lewin’s absence when the Toffees struggled to score goals earlier this season, but the striker isn’t the most proficient forward; according to Fotmob, only 40% of his shots against the Hatters were on target.
It is terrible to have an xG of 2.9 and only score one goal. However, it does imply that once Everton starts taking these risks, they won’t need to worry about anything.
