Everton slump again as Lyon pile on Euro misery
● Goodison side languish bottom of group and may face an enquiry after ugly brawl
Everton manager Ronald Koeman was forced to endure more disappointment as Lyon consigned his side to an ill- tempered defeat and more Europa League misery.
Koe man has been forced to confront t he potential of “crisis” unfolding at Goodison Park and this loss left his side bottom of Group E, with Nabil Fekir’s penalty and Bertrand Traore’s deft flick besting Ashley Williams’ powerful header.
Williams was luckyto be on the pitch when he headed home t he equaliser, having initiated and then extended an ugly touch line tussle involving players from both sides and, worryingly, at least one home fan.
Everton’ s considerable summer investment has now brought them six defeats in all competitions and no wins in their last four outings.
Koeman began with a gamble, resting his most experienced and trusted players, including Wayne Rooney while Leighton Baines, Idrissa Gueye and Gylfi Sigurdsson began on the bench.
Inside five minutes Lyon had the lead. Memphis Depay, a summer target for Koeman, conjured a smart ball for Marcal to chase. The Brazilian read it quickest and was a yard inside the area when Mason Holgate charged into view and clattered into him for a clear- cut penalty. Fekir, pictured, found the bottom corner.
After nine minutes Everton were cut open again, Depay only denied by Williams’ sliding tackle.
The Blues scrapped for half- chances but Depay’s 30- yard freekick came closest to providing a second goal before the break, Tom Davies’ headed intervention leaving Jordan Pick ford wrongfooted and the cross bar rattling.
Ademo la Look man, on for the struggling Klaassen, helped energise the hosts but they were still vulnerable at t he back. Myziane Maolida missed two good chance sin a minute, failing to get a shot away after Michael Keane’s slip then frustrated by Morgan Schneiderlin’s block. Koe man could not accuse his players of lacking fight, though in Williams’ case that was hardly a good thing.
He appeared to push Anthony Lopes into the advert ising hoardings but was still the most animated individual in the ill-tempered shoving match which en sued. At least one home fan laid hands on a Lyon player as members from both sides formed what resembled a rolling maul and the incident is sure to attract more scrutiny.
Williams was lucky to escape with a yellow card and was soon putting his adrenaline to better use, rising to power home Sigurdsson’ s 69th- minute free- kick.
Keane and Williams were both close to adding a finishing touch to another teasing free-kick, which ended up eva ding everyone and clattering the post.
There was one last twist of the knife for Koeman though, Maxwell Corn et escaping down the right and locating Traore, who touched the ball home via a Keane deflection.
EVERTON: Pickford, Holgate, Keane, Williams, Martina, Schneiderlin ( Sigurdsson 57), Davies, Vlasic, Klaassen ( Lookman 46), Calvert- Lewin, Mirallas ( Ramirez 68). Subs Not Used: Stekelenburg, Baines, Gueye, Besic. LYON: Lopes, Tete, Marcelo, Diakhaby, Marcal, Tousart, Aouar, Traore, Fekir ( Ferri 60), Depay ( Alvaro 89), Maolida ( Cornet 71). Subs Not Used: Gorgelin, Yanga- Mbiwa, Da Silva, Owusu.