Everton once again lost to another struggling side on a dismal day in east London.
Two goals in seven minutes from Jarrod Bowen proved enough to inflict a fourth league defeat in five games on Frank Lampard's side since the World Cup break. The result ramped up the pressure on the Blues boss, who was watched in action by majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri for the first time.
Now that the dust has settled on a defeat that was vital for former Everton manager David Moyes, here are a few talking points that may have been missed.
READ MORE: Frank Lampard opens up on 'bigger problems' at Everton and impact on players
Lampard acknowledges the fans - and calls for his players to do the same
On the final whistle Lampard went onto the pitch to console his players. He then headed towards the away end, kicking away the match ball away as he did so. While he did not go all the way over to the away fans it was clear he was recognising the travelling support.
It was also clear that, with the Everton players who remained on the pitch on the halfway line, he was beckoning them to join him in showing appreciation. Conor Coady was the first to join him and also called for others to follow suit with Jordan Pickford, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dwight McNeil, Vitalii Mykolenko and James Tarkowski among those who did.
Lampard's relationship with the supporters was crucial to the club's survival last season and even amid the wretched recent form the focus of the frustration from the stands has been predominately aimed at those above him. His acknowledgement of them on Saturday was not as emphatic as it was in the defeat at Old Trafford earlier this month - a display that led some to question whether he was saying goodbye - but it was still clear he wanted to show some respect to the supporters who had made the journey to east London.
Was Kurt Zouma's injury a missed opportunity?
Speaking after the game Lampard said he was pleased with Everton's start to the match, believing his side had a degree of control in the middle of the pitch and had silenced the home fans before Bowen's 34th minute opener changed the game. Bowen scored after Kurt Zouma rose highest in the Everton box to flick the ball into his path.
In the 10 minutes before his assist, Zouma appeared to be struggling with an injury. It looked an ideal opportunity for Demarai Gray, who was so often fed with high balls he had little chance of winning when he was up against him. Instead of getting Gray to run at the hobbling centre back, who he had still caused problems to, the Everton attacker instead switched positions with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, depriving him of the chance to really test the struggling defender.
Who was left on the bench?
Despite Everton being 2-0 down and in desperate need of salvaging something from the trip to east London, Lampard's only changes were the ones he made at half time, when he brought on Tom Davies and Dwight McNeil for Seamus Coleman and Mykolenko, moving McNeil and Alex Iwobi to wing back.
While that did bring about an improvement, with McNeil and Iwobi both producing teasing crosses, it was interesting that Lampard chose not to seek further support from a bench that included Anthony Gordon, summer signing Neal Maupay and Ellis Simms, who has hardly featured since being recalled from a promising loan spell at Sunderland.
Gordon, the subject of late summer interest, has once again been named as a suggested target during this window. Lampard was asked whether he could shed any light on the decision not to use the 21-year-old amid Newcastle United's reported interest but declined to do so.
And who was not there at all?
While the substitutes Lampard did not use raised questions, there were also the players who did not feature at all. They included Ben Godfrey, a surprise casualty who Lampard explained was absent due to a knee sprain sustained at Southampton. Michael Keane has attracted interest throughout this transfer window and several Serie A sides are considering moving for the centre back on loan. He suffered a knee injury that has kept him out for a few games and was only anticipated to return to return to training this week.
No word was given to the absence of Abdoulaye Doucoure though, another player reportedly attracting interest from elsewhere and whose contract expires in the summer.
Isaac 'Prince' gets a mention
There wasn't much to laugh at during Everton's latest defeat but one lighthearted moment was provided by the release of the team news and it being relayed to the fans, with the stadium announcer introducing Everton's teenager midfielder Isaac Price as Isaac Prince.
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