Everton's final Premier League fixture before the World Cup break ended in disaster after suffering a 3-0 humbling at the hands of Bournemouth.
Frank Lampard's side had only been on the receiving end of a 4-1 loss to the Cherries just days earlier and were unable to produce a suitable response to their Carabao Cup exit on the south coast. The Blues now sit one place above the relegation zone, having won one of their previous seven top-flight games.
Members of the Blues' first-team, alongside Lampard, went over to the travelling Everton fans who had made the long trip to watch Saturday's contest and were subsequently booed despite offering apologies for a concerning performance.
VERDICT: Frank Lampard faced with worst possible Everton question after week from hell
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There will be plenty to think about for the Blues during the upcoming pause to the Premier League campaign, which the national media addressed following what can only be described as a bitterly disappointing afternoon for all connected to the club.
'In serious danger of repeating a relegation battle'
Alex Jennings of the Daily Mail wrote:
"Everton are spiralling and Frank Lampard is in serious danger of paying the price. His side were humiliated here in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and thoroughly outclassed on Saturday too,
"It’s now one win in eight for Lampard, whose side have scored just 11 goals all season yet appear somehow to become more toothless with every passing game.
"Everton are abject at the moment and in serious danger of repeating the relegation battle they endured last campaign. They sit just one point above the bottom three and won't be moving for some time — this rapid decline has come at a time when, with a month’s break for the World Cup imminent, it is more tempting than ever to change manager.
"Chairman Bill Kenwright was in attendance at the Vitality Stadium and whether he has been sharpening his managerial axe remains to be seen. In truth, Lampard could have no complaints if he's for the chop."
'Non-existent defending'
Tom Prentki of the Telegraph wrote:
"There was plenty of edge to the game and more still when Lewis Cook was late into a tackle with Amadou Onana for which he received a yellow, rather than a red card after a VAR check.
"Having lost both of the previous Premier League games after holding a two-goal lead, Bournemouth came out for the second half full of attacking intent as they sensed the vulnerability in this Everton side.
"Pickford this time showed good reflexes, making low saved to deny first Dominic Solanke and then Tavernier. Everton were offering little going forward themselves with their best effort coming as James Tarkowski headed Dwight McNeil’s corner onto the roof of the net.
"But they were undone by more non-existent defending as Bournemouth sub Jaidon Anthony ran unmarked into the area to head in Cook’s free-kick and put the result beyond doubt."
'Misery was complete'
Paul Rowan of the Times wrote:
"They completely mastered Everton, with first-half goals from Marcus Tavernier, aided by a glaring Jordan Pickford mistake, and a Kieffer Moore header. Everton’s misery was complete when the Bournemouth substitute Jaidon Anthony powered in a second-half header.
"Everton were expected to give a much better account of themselves than they did on Tuesday but by half time it was clear that another heavy defeat was on the cards.
"Frank Lampard insisted his players go to the Everton supporters at the end where they received a hostile send-off. Replays suggested that Alex Iwobi had thrown his shirt into the crowd only for it to be thrown back at him. Some Everton fans had seen their team concede seven goals against Bournemouth in four days after the 4-1 defeat at the same ground in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday."
'Another traumatic away day'
Joe Thomas of the Liverpool Echo wrote:
"The temptation would be to blame this defeat on the decisions that did not go Everton's way. But this was a devastating loss that was rooted in a timid and toothless display from those in Royal Blue. With so much on the line they could perhaps afford to be outplayed but, after the humiliation suffered on the same ground on Tuesday, could not allow themselves to be outfought. They were.
"The initial reaction to Lampard's most important team talk since half-time against Crystal Palace in the penultimate game of last season appeared positive. Onana burst through his opposition, rode several tackles and reached the byline - perhaps being too honest as he stayed on his feet under pressure. He pulled the ball back and it eventually fell to Idrissa Gueye, who could only blast over. It was a sign of intent that was not replicated, however.
"Despite defeat being so damaging the same old story unfolded in another traumatic away day for the travelling Blues. Philip Billing flashed a header just wide, Solanke and then Tavernier forced saves from Pickford and all Everton could manage in response was a long range effort over the bar from Patterson. When Jaidon Anthony scored the third the biggest surprise was not another Bournemouth goal, it was that Lampard had not yet turned to his bench. He did not do so until the 75th minute when the game was lost, despite it containing Anthony Gordon. Only later did it emerge Gordon had a broken hand."
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