David Moyes left with head in hands after what Everton star did in Chelsea loss

Credit: Imago

Everton saw their good run of form come crashing to an end against Chelsea on Saturday.

David Moyes only made one change at Stamford Bridge, with Idrissa Gueye coming back into midfield, and Everton were backed to succeed against the Blues.

It didn’t happen that way, though, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall forced off early with a gutting hamstring injury.

Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto took advantage of that with first-half goals to take the points away from Everton, finishing 2-0 on 13 December.

If anything, it highlighted the lack of attacking quality in the Everton squad.

Everton too reliant on Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish

Jake O’Brien once again played out of position at right-back, with the Irish international’s dreadful crossing ability spotted more than once.

Speaking during live BBC Sports coverage on their blog, Nizaar Kinsella shared the reaction of Moyes when he watched another failure in the final third.

“Makeshift right-back Jake O’Brien has the freedom of Chelsea’s left flank, but crosses the ball straight into the Matthew Harding End behind the goal,” he wrote.

“It has left Everton manager David Moyes with his head in his hands.”

With Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish heavily marked in nearly every game, something you need your full-backs to make a difference in the final third, and that never happens at Everton.

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Jake O’Brien by the numbers at Everton

O’Brien has made 15 appearances already this season, with 13 starts, yet he only has one assist.

Signed from Lyon as a towering central defender, the Irish international has been shoehorned into right back for months now, with no end in sight.

Seamus Coleman has suffered consistent injuries, and with Nathan Patterson linked with an exit, Everton and Moyes may have no other choice.

O’Brien simply hasn’t stepped into that role with a big enough impact.

O’Brien in Premier League before Chelsea loss (Sofascore)

Having an attacking full-back who can add goals and assists could add to this Everton squad massively, yet fans are being forced to watch the same old struggling options every week.

Moyes clearly wasn’t happy with O’Brien at Stamford Bridge, and with January around the corner, that could be a real area to strengthen.