How many warnings do the Everton hierarchy need? Two consecutive brushes with relegation are not enough, it would appear. The opening day of what is scheduled to be the final full season of Goodison Park’s existence produced yet another warning as Everton dominated Fulham only to succumb to an avoidable, unnecessary defeat.
They lost not simply as a consequence of three Fulham substitutes – Aleksandar Mitrovic, Andreas Pereira and goalscorer Bobby De Cordova-Reid – combining to polish an otherwise subdued display from the visitors. They lost because for the third summer in succession the club has failed to strengthen its forward line as required. A third successive season of struggle beckons unless that glaring weakness is addressed before the transfer deadline.
