Everton were pitiful from top to bottom yesterday, as they ruined what seemed set to be a perfect day.
Heading into Goodison Park, fans were filled with hope that this could truly be a great chance for their first Premier League win of the season right before the international break.
Bathed in glorious sunshine, and celebrating the life of the magnificent man that was Super Kevin Campbell, a comfortable 2-0 lead set the Toffees up for a glorious afternoon.
That was, until nine short minutes spoiled everything, as the entire team imploded to hand AFC Bournemouth the most unlikely of 3-2 wins.
Of all the blunders made across the transfer window, Kevin Thelwell’s glaring deadline-day omission now seems worse than ever.
Everton should have signed Kieran Trippier on deadline day
And whilst it seemed like the Toffees’ top target would be Ernest Nuamah, who they relentlessly chased until late in the day on Friday, there was another player of interest to them who they would have been far better served prioritising.
After all, it was not out wide that let them down, but instead a tiring midfield and a desperately slow backline.
When not completely protected by those in front of them, a back four of Seamus Coleman, Vitaliy Mykolenko, James Tarkowski and Michael Keane has zero pace between them.
They need constant screening, and when that disappears, it’s open season for the opposition.
The Cherries took full advantage of this gift-wrapped game state, and it likely could have been prevented had Thelwell put Everton’s interest in Kieran Trippier, or any full-back for that matter, as a top priority.
His creativity and experience in such environments could have proved pivotal, but instead, Coleman was left floundering as the first goal came down his flank to kickstart this collapse.
Everton’s full-backs were really poor vs Bournemouth
Whilst Coleman impressed in stints, he did miss an absolute sitter at 1-0 which cannot be excused.
Then, apart from that, he remained quiet all game, until his legs inevitably went given this was his second match in just five days, after he had been out injured for a month.
Meanwhile, on the other flank, Vitaliy Mykolenko continued to get into nice areas, yet lacked any quality to find a man.
Then, similarly to Coleman, his lack of speed was mercilessly exposed, and he was nowhere to be seen at the back post for the third.
All three of the goals came from failing to stop crosses from balls out wide, where someone like Trippier, or maybe another fitter, younger, faster full-back might have down.
Thelwell’s biggest deadline day mistake was laid brutally bare yesterday.
