James Garner playing for Everton.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Everton came up well short against Chelsea on Saturday to lose for the first time this season in the Premier League – and an admission by James Garner probably won’t go down too well with fans.
Pedro Neto scored twice in the 2-0 win for the Blues at Hill Dickinson Stadium as Everton tasted defeat for the first time.
David Moyes said after the game his side simply didn’t create enough, and there is frustration about the nature of the defeat and a sense of missed opportunity.
Chelsea’s defensive problems under Xabi Alonso have been well documented and Everton have actually fared quite well against the Blues at home in recent years.
But Everton didn’t really threaten to win the game on Saturday, but that’s unsurprising after what James Garner admitted.
It's a first defeat of the season for Everton as they lose 2-0 to Chelsea 😡 Give us YOUR reaction 👇
Moyes is embarrassing, hall isn't a10. sit down and think other than hold on to the ball, but then pass back what does grealish do? Our teams reflect the manager. Nervous boring timid, yesterday the game crying out for drive and creativity from midfield. He brings on a injured defensive mid with no legs. The poor lad didn't have a chance.
Very solid, chelsea did not look like a team that hadn’t kept a clean sheet since jan. Might say more about everton’s attack
Agree 100% Keane would be the very, very, very last option for many reasons but if it came down to it maybe it would work wonders and sometimes a real wake up call is really needed 💙💙
James Garner mentality admission suggests Everton beating Chelsea was never likely
Speaking after the game, James Garner told BBC Radio Merseyside: “That killed us really. We got into half-time at 0-0 and our plan was obviously to just stay in the game and chances will come.
“But obviously as soon as their first one goes in, it’s an uphill climb from there.”
Chelsea, of course, have some dangerous players and have showcased their attacking might this season. But to hear this from Garner is disappointing and it rather just sums up the approach from Moyes.
This was a home game against a side who are still finding their way under a new manager, and have been all at sea in defence at times this season. And of course, Everton have done well at home against Chelsea in recent years.
Everton Chelsea
Shots (on target) – 5(5) Shots (on target) – 16(5)
Possession – 47% Possession – 53%
Fouls – 8 Fouls – 15
Offside – 4 Offside – 1
Corners – 5 Corners – 7
So the plan being to just stay in the game is difficult to accept. Yes, Chelsea had a number of chances in the game, but Everton ought to have been bolder and gone after their opponents a little more, and put their vulnerable backline under some pressure.
Seemingly, it was all about throwing caution to the wind and then perhaps trying to nick a goal against the run of play.
Up next for Everton is Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, and that is a game that perhaps demands this kind of approach more. To have gone into the Chelsea game with this mindset is less understandable.