Three defeats in three games have delivered a harsh reality check to Everton but the clearest lesson has been what many have suspected for months - this side lacks firepower.
In the aftermath of the miserable defeat to Minnesota United, at the height of pre-season, Frank Lampard himself alluded to that being his biggest problem as he highlighted his need for re-enforcements going forward, particularly in the wake of Richarlison's sale. Everton went on to enjoy a positive transfer window but, even with the addition of Neal Maupay and Dwight McNeil, doubts about the strength of Everton's frontline lingered.
The loss of Dominic Calvert-Lewin to a freak knee injury on the eve of the campaign only served to worsen the issue and, for so long, Everton fans have approached every pre-match press conference desperate for news of his return. That came at St James' Park, the 11th game of the Premier League season, and it is a welcome boost for a side in desperate need of a clinical edge. Lampard will hope, with justification, that form will follow fitness and the 25-year-old can fire the Blues to a comfortable season.
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The reliance on his success remains a problem, however, and even if Everton's most prolific goalscorer can find the fitness for a sustained run in the team, he needs chances in order to find the back of the net. And that is what will worry supporters going into the run of games before the World Cup break.
Everton were separated from Newcastle United by one moment of quality. But as they sought a way back into the game they were unable to muster a single shot on target. Just like at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, the opposition goalkeeper did not have to make a single save to keep Everton out. Zero shots on target in 180 minutes does not tell the whole story - they missed two glorious chances at Spurs and Demarai Gray flashed two dangerous balls across the face of goal that went unmet against Newcastle. This is a side that has created chances this season and there were passages of play that will please Lampard. But not enough opportunities are being forged for Everton to be able to miss them when they come. And the reality is progress in that area needs to be made quickly. Everton have four big games before January presents an opportunity to address the issue externally and they will need results if they are to avoid sending their fanbase into a World Cup of sleepless nights.
Lampard's fledgling project remains in its early stages and three defeats in three need not start panic. This is not a side that lacks resilience, or heart, or leadership or fight. And teething problems are to be expected as style, culture and personnel change. Over three games - each of which the Blues entered as underdogs - they have neither been humbled nor humiliated. Mistakes on the ball cost them against Manchester United. Missed chances and a soft penalty were the difference at Tottenham Hotspur.
This time it was Almiron's sensational strike from just outside the box after 30 minutes. Everton had competed well until that moment of magic, battling hard and breaking quickly - albeit without creating a clear cut chance - when they stole the ball in the middle. There was needle from the opening minutes with Calvert-Lewin booked after just six minutes and Joelinton following suit for a late foul on Amadou Onana - who was floored by a Callum Wilson who had already sought to wind up Jordan Pickford, himself constantly jeered by the home fans due to his past with arch-rivals Sunderland.
Everton felt Onana was fouled in the build up to the opener and remonstrated with referee Tony Harrington long after the ball had been picked out of the net. That tension flared after the goal as the Blues looked in danger of sinking beneath the rising tide of Newcastle momentum, buoyed by a baying home crowd. Bruno Guimaraes twice shot wide and Fabian Schar headed at Pickford from close range. Everton's retorts were limited to a cross claimed by Nick Pope, sparking calls of 'England's number one' and a ball through to Anthony Gordon who, while chasing, went down under pressure from Dan Burn.
At Spurs, a soft penalty decision cost Everton dear. Four days later they can again ask questions of the officials. In the aftermath Kieran Trippier crossed the pitch to criticise Gordon, sparking a pile-in that saw Gordon and Schar booked. The anger simmered through to half-time as Seamus Coleman continued his protests with the officials into the tunnel and Pickford and Trippier shared words.
The break came when Everton needed it and Lampard regrouped them at half-time. They came out fighting and pushed Newcastle to the final whistle. But for all the heart on display, once again they could not test the opposition goalkeeper. How to change that for upcoming games will now need to be the subject of considerable focus at Finch Farm.
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