ThewolfSean Dyche deserves some credit for turning things around at Everton after the first four games, but the last two performances have raised concern.
Everton fans have already called for him to be sacked and want David Moyes to replace him, though it remains to be seen as to whether the Friedkin Group will make a decision.
Another thing that has been causing an issue for Everton in recent times is Jarrad Branthwaite’s lack of minutes, as Michael Keane and James Tarkowski were preferred against Southampton.
One player came in for some stick from Joe Hart for his part in the goal scored by Southampton, as the former Premier League goalkeeper believes he was to blame.
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Joe Hart puts the blame on one Everton player for Southampton’s goal
Everton were dominated possession-wise by Southampton, which is something that Sean Dyche has talked about not being an issue, as his side ended up with more shots.
The Southampton goal actually came from Beto hitting the crossbar at one end, with Southampton moving up the field quickly and Adam Armstrong found himself free.
Vitalii Mykolenko started at left-back, and found himself as the last man for the Everton free-kick, which led to him running to right-back and then tracking someone through the middle, which led to him being out of position for Adam Armstrong’s strike.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Joe Hart suggests Mykolenko’s position stopped Jordan Pickford from saving it.
“It has ended up going in the middle of the goal, but the disarray from the Everton chance has meant that Mykolenko has ended up in the centre of the Everton defence, not quite knowing what he’s doing. All he’s ended up doing is impeding Jordan Pickford.
“As Jordan Pickford turns from the original pass to try and get across to face the Armstrong shot, if Mykolenko is not there, he manages to get at least another yard to his right, giving him a great opportunity to make a save or even make an attempt at saving it.
“But the problem is, like I said, Mykolenko finds himself completely out of position, chased Archer and once he realised he didn’t need to take him, he turned his back and is spinning around.
“Pickford’s weight is completely on his left foot, and he’s having to look around him. He’s hoping that Armstrong goes back across him towards Tarkowski. And as soon as that ball goes past Mykolenko’s hip he’s got next to no time to react, and that’s why it’s gone into Everton’s goal.”
Vitalii Mykolenko’s performance in numbers against Southampton
Vitalii Mykolenko played the full 90 minutes for the Toffees. He made three clearances, three tackles, one interception, won four duels, lost possession 12 times, had 47 touches, a passing accuracy of 76%, and failed four crossing attempts and six long ball attempts (SofaScore).
It’s harsh to blame him for the goal too much as at least he worked his socks off to get back and defend, but then again he was impeding the view of Jordan Pickford, which may have had an impact.
The organisation is what really let Everton down as you had a left-back where a centre-back should be.
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