barcelona team line-up at St James' Park
barcelona team line-up at St James' Park
Everton left the Emirates with another blank on the scoresheet and a glaring reminder of why January cannot come quickly enough for David Moyes.
Arsenal won 2-0 on Saturday, with Ezri Konsa opening the scoring after seven minutes and Gabriel heading in the second midway through the second half.
Saka-Konsa-Arsenal-Champions-League
The result followed another 2-0 defeat against Chelsea, leaving Everton without a goal across their last two league outings, and now their encouraging start suddenly feels a little more fragile.
There were moments when the visitors threatened, but Arsenal carried the greater danger. Everton finished with eight shots and three on target, compared with the hosts' 20 attempts.
Moyes was also missing Jack Grealish through sickness, with Tyrique George and Brennan Johnson starting either side of Thierno Barry, but the changes failed to produce a breakthrough.
||
|Arsenal 2-0 Everton|
|Total|Arsenal|Everton|
|---|
|Possession|58%|42%|
|Expected goals (xG)|1.77|0.48|
|Total shots|20|8|
|Shots on target|4|3|
|Shots blocked|10|2|
|Big chances missed|0|1|
|Corners|12|3|
|Accurate passes|440|316|
|Passing accuracy|86.6%|85.9%|
|Fouls committed|11|13|
|Yellow cards|1|3|
|Red cards|0|0|
Barry remains the only established senior striker after a summer window that ended in frustration.
Folarin Balogun's proposed arrival collapsed, while Man United rejected a loan approach for Joshua Zirkzee, so that made Beto's departure to Fiorentina even harder to swallow.
Everton striker Beto
Everton striker Beto
Everton needed another centre forward then, and the shortage is still hanging over them now.
That makes the latest Marcus Rashford report particularly eye-catching.
Everton hold Marcus Rashford talks with Man United over January move
Rashford-Man-Utd-Atleti
According to FootballTransfers, Everton have already held talks with Man United about bringing the England international to Merseyside in January.
The discussions are described as preliminary, with plenty still to settle before supporters can start picturing Rashford in blue.
FT reports that the type of deal remains undecided. A permanent transfer and a loan involving a possible longer stay are both options, with the financial package likely to shape what happens.
Rashford's own wishes could prove just as important.
rashford-carrick-amn-utd
FootballTransfers says he was reluctant to join another English club during the summer, so Everton would need him to buy into the move.
The report also points to his substantial wages as a complication. There is an opportunity to explore, but reaching an agreement would take more than a conversation between clubs.
Rashford spent time on loan with Aston Villa and Barcelona before Michael Carrick brought him back into United's plans this summer.
For Moyes, the appeal is easy to understand.
Everton manager David Moyes reacts
Everton manager David Moyes reacts
Rashford could offer another route to goal and take some of the pressure away from Barry. His ability to operate from the left or through the middle would also give Everton a different avenue.
There would still be questions to answer about where Rashford fits and what Everton could afford, and signing a famous name only helps if the role is clear and the team can create chances for him.
The Arsenal defeat has sharpened that argument for a new striker.
Two games, two blanks and another afternoon spent chasing the score should give the recruitment team plenty to consider.