Koeman takes a hit as Everton fall short again
IF Ronald Koeman is to take any solace from this latest miserable night it is that Everton’s players will still fight for him — literally. After losing to Lyon, Everton’s hopes of reaching the knockout phase of the Europa League are virtually in tatters but they did go down swinging — both physically and metaphorically.
Everton finished this collision with eight attackers but, in reality, they should have finished with only 10 men on the pitch after captain Ashley Williams pushed Lyon keeper Anthony Lopes over to spark a melee that involved almost every player.
If that was unacceptable, the actions of some imbecile supporters in the Gwladys Street stand left a horrible taste. Television pictures appeared to show a handful of fans aiming punches at Lyon’s players as they almost toppled over the advertising hoardings.
UEFA, surely, will study the video footage. For the moment, the spotlight is on Koeman after more basic errors led to the downfall of his team.
The goals that left them flattened were scored either side of half-time by Nabil Fekir and Bertrand Traore but Koeman will hope that the spirit they showed in the second period will spark a revival in the Premier League.
To Koeman’s dismay, Everton conceded the first goal once again. It was the tenth time in 11 matches they have done so — a statistic that should have alarm bells clanging in the Dutchman’s mind.
This goal was wholly avoidable but referee Bas Nijhuis had no option but to award a penalty after Mason Holgate careered into Lyon left back Marcal.
Nabil Fekir punished the error by drilling his spot kick past Jordan Pickford.
Only five minutes had been played but, already, you felt it was going to be a long night. Lyon really should have been out of sight before the interval and Memphis Depay — the forward who Koeman wanted to sign from Manchester United in January — should have put the game out of reach in the 42nd minute.
Depay found himself clean through but his shot lacked the strength or conviction to trouble Pickford.
This could not continue and Koeman knew it. Once again he made a half-time substitution this was eighth time in 16 games he has done so, which infers he keeps picking the wrong team and Ademola Lookman replaced the floundering Davy Klaassen.
There was an initial lift, and Williams then rose highest to power in a free-kick.
As Everton searched for a winner, the melee erupted and it caused a loss of concentration. 0 took full advantage in the 75th minute when he back heeled home from six yards. EVERTON (4-2-3-1) Pickford: Holgate, Keane, Williams, Martina; Davies, Schneiderlin (Sigurdsson, 57mins); Vlasic, Klaassen (Lookman, 45), Mirallas (Ramirez, 68); Calvert-Lewin. Booked: Williams, Lookman. Scorer: Williams 69. Manager: Ronald Koeman. LYON (4-2-3-1) Lopes; Tete, Marcelo, Diakhaby, Marcal; Tousart, Aouar; Traore, Fekir (Ferri, 61), Depay; Maolida (Cornet, 70). Booked: Traore. Scorers: Fekir 5 (pen), Traore 75. Manager: Bruno Genesio. Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Hol).