If Everton are not already in a crisis they certainly will be if they fail to get a result against fellow strugglers Wolves on Wednesday.
Few fans expected the Toffees to get a result at Old Trafford on Sunday, but the manner of the capitulation is hugely concerning. It was embarrassingly easy for Manchester United, who could have easily scored more if they really wanted to.
Everton are now without a win in their last five games and have not even scored in their last four. They are just two points above the drop zone after amassing just 11 points from a relatively kind fixture list.
Manchester United FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
It once again turns the heat on Sean Dyche, whose reputation is built on solid, well-drilled defending. Once that goes then what little goodwill there is left among the fanbase will drain away.
But with the takeover still to be completed there is very little chance Dyche will be sacked, leaving everyone stuck in a state of limbo. But while that is rumbling on in the background Everton are losing games, not even scoring and being sucked ever closer to the bottom of the table.
If they do not win on Wednesday then Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City follow, a brutal run that will likely bring four defeats and almost certainly push the Toffees into the relegation zone.
After three successive relegation battles the fans a weary and are struggling to ready themselves for a fourth. But until the Freidkins are in the door there is little that can be done, meaning everyone has to try and summon up some energy and hope points can be scrambled from somewhere.
The opposition
FBL-ENG-PR-WOLVES-BOURNEMOUTH Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Wolves have had an equally tough start to the season and know their seven-year stay in the Premier League – their best run in the top flight since the early 1980s – is under threat.
Like Everton a lot of it is down to finance, with some belt tightening in recent seasons seeing the departure of key players such as Ruben Neves and Pedro Neto.
But despite those tricky conditions and the departure of manager Julen Lopetegui on the eve of last season, his replace Gary O’Neil did a decent job, securing a 14th-place finish.
O’Neil signed a new long-term contract in the summer but now finds his position under scrutiny. Wanderers have won just twice this season and sit 18th with just nine points from 13 games.
In mitigation they have played pretty much all the top sides (in a reverse of Everton’s fixtures) but their disappointing 4-2 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday raised alarm bells once more.
They head to Goodison boasting a decent record against the Blues, winning five out of the last six meetings, including both last season without conceding a goal.
Previous meeting
Wolves 3-0 Everton, 30 December 2023
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The busy festive period caught up with Everton as they put in a weary, listless performance at Molineux and were well beaten.
Team news
Armando Broja could be involved for the first time this season after recovering from a foot injury and having had some game time with the U21s.
Seamus Coleman is pushing for a start after returning to the bench at Old Trafford following a hamstring injury.
Youssef Chermiti is edging closer to a return but needs more minutes with the U21s. Tim Iroegbunam and James Garner are still out.
What they said
Everton manager Sean Dyche: “Me, my staff and the players, sometimes we haven’t delivered as well as we could do, but we work tirelessly – I can assure you. This is the most work I’ve done in all my years of management, without a shadow of a doubt.
“We’re trying to build and work with the players to make it stronger than it was. We finished really well last season and maybe that was a bit of misleading one going into this season, as if it was going to be an easy season. It’s not. It never was going to be.
“You have to get the margins right – and so far, this season, we haven’t done. But the bigger picture at this club, is it’s been a challenge from the first minute I walked in here. It still is and we’ve done loads of work here, but of course, I’m never naïve enough to think that makes it all alright.
“You’ve got to win games – and we haven’t won enough games this season. We’ve got to correct it, and we’ve got to correct it ASAP.”
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil: “We didn’t expect Saturday to go the way it went. Obviously, we played a large part in our own downfall very early in the game. When I watched it back, there were actually some real good moments in there, but the score’s already 3-1, and the game gets away from you, but they have responded very, very well. They’re ready to go to Everton, it’s a completely different type of test, and one that we’re looking forward to.
“Where we are in the league is, of course, not where we want to be, but still in touching distance of a lot of teams just above us. We’ve come off the back of a four-game unbeaten run, two wins on the bounce that change the outlook for us, and there’s no reason we can’t start another one of those runs tomorrow night.”
Final word
With only a handful of Goodison games under lights left, this should be an occasion to relish. But instead there is trepidation as a defeat could see the atmosphere turn toxic and push Everton further into danger. This is not one for the faint hearted.