BIG SAM’S BIG DRIFT
Fans turn on Allardyce as Everton decline continues
IT WAS not meant to be like this. Armed with longawaited financial muscle, this was supposed to be a breakthrough year for Everton. New faces, new era. The dream was sold to the punters. Buy your tickets, this will be a season to remember.
It has turned into one to forget. In late November the unthinkable threat of relegation led the club to do something their supporters, drunk on the dream, would have deemed unthinkable: appoint Sam Allardyce, the closest thing to a safe bet.
Sure enough, the Big Sam bounce was instant and four wins from five all but ended fears of the drop. But since then just two victories from 11 have followed. Away from home, in all competitions, it is six straight defeats.
At Turf Moor, the venue of the latest surrender, the fed-up Merseyside contingent called for their manager’s head. Allardyce then raised anger levels further when appearing to smirk as he was questioned about the chants in a television interview.
He deserves some empathy for his response. A firefighter called in to extinguish the fire, he has done just that. But where from here? It is not lost on the man himself, who signed an 18-month contract in November. ‘It is drifting,’ Allardyce admitted. ‘It’s already drifting, there’s no doubt about that. It’s been drifting for some considerable time.’
The fans also deserve understanding. Their frustration is warranted — although Everton were better in the first half than previously during that run. At the break, however, they only led by Cenk Tosun’s first goal for the club following a series of missed chances.
Sean Dyche, the Burnley boss, sent on big Chris Wood, switched to two up front and the home side were a different proposition. Ashley Barnes fired an inevitable equaliser and Wood headed in the winner. To cap a miserable 45 minutes, Everton captain Ashley Williams walloped Barnes with a swinging arm and saw red.
Allardyce put a brave face on the terrace angst. ‘I’ve been around long enough to know it comes your way sometimes,’ he said. ‘You have to be big enough to ride it out.’
What lies ahead is interesting. Safety can be virtually assured with wins over Brighton and Stoke City in their next two games. But then come Manchester City and Liverpool — and the threat of more unrest.
This win, Burnley’s first since December 12, means they have now hit the magical 40-point barrier with nine to play and sit seventh, top of the shop outside the big six.
Can they take the prize of best of the rest? ‘It would be great,’ said ex-Leeds striker Wood. ‘But for now there’s nine games to go and a lot can happen in nine games.’
Allardyce and those Everton fans would agree. BURNLEY (4-4-1-1): Pope 6.5; Lowton 7.5, Tarkowski 7, Mee 7, Ward 7; Lennon 7.5, Cork 6.5, Westwood 6.5, Gudmundsson 7; Hendrick 5 (Wood 45min, 7), BARNES 7.5. Subs not used: Lindegaard, Nkoudou, Marney, Vokes, Bardsley, Long. Scorers: Barnes 56, Wood 80. Booked: Westwood. Manager: Sean Dyche 7. EVERTON (4-1-4-1): Pickford 7.5; Coleman 6.5, Keane 5, Williams 4.5, Martina 6; Gueye 6.5; Walcott 6, Davies 6 (Rooney 59, 6), Calvert-Lewin 6, Sigurdsson 7 (Bolasie 83); Tosun 7 (Niasse 68, 5.5). Subs not used: Robles, Schneiderlin, Baines, Holgate. Scorer: Tosun 20. Booked: Calvert-Lewin. Sent off: Williams. Manager: Sam Allardyce 5. Referee: Christopher Kavanagh 7. Attendance: 20,802.