Everton lost just their second game in six Premier League attempts against Chelsea in a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto left Everton with a mountain to climb at half-time, and although they didn’t concede in the second half, it was too much for the Toffees as they failed to score.
Everton’s standing in the Premier League remains respectable, and the Toffees are still in the hunt for a European place.
But despite David Moyes suffering the ignominy of an injury to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, his midfield maestro James Garner’s comments after the defeat show Everton where they must strengthen in January.
Chelsea v Everton - Premier League
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James Garner has criticised Everton’s ability to finish chances
Everton’s lack of goals were evident in the capital against Chelsea, at a ground where they have struggled for some time.
And Garner bemoaned Everton’s shortage of firepower and ability to finish chances, hinting to Moyes that a new striker should be at the top of his Christmas wishlist.
Garner said: “I think we were probably the better team throughout the 90 minutes, but the difference was in both boxes they were very clinical, so I’m quite disappointed overall.
“There are a lot of positives to take, like I said, we were probably the better team.
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“We created a lot of chances, we just did not put it in the back of the net, but there’s definitely a lot to take going into next week.
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“Our form was much better than their form coming into the game and we knew we had a good chance of beating them today.
“We have shown for large parts of the game the type of team that we are now compared to the last few seasons, but at the end of the day, it is the fine margins and they were slightly better than us today at that.”
Whilst Thierno Barry scored his first goal last weekend, and Beto has been knocking on the door for a first-team start, Everton haven’t been at the races in the final third. It’s whether Moyes will prioritise that over other needs that remains the question.
Everton’s chances will massively decrease with key absences
James Garner also praised David Moyes for improving Everton ‘leaps and bounds’ in recent times, and that must be taken into account – there is only so much the Scot can do.
But those issues will be highlighted further when Iliman Ndiaye departs for the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal on Monday.
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Thierno Barry couldn’t capitalise on any chances against Chelsea, and without Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall, Everton’s influence in the final third will diminish rapidly.
His capabilities will be truly put to the test with key creators being out of action, and if any players are to capitalise on chances, Barry and Beto haven’t shown that they can do so.
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