Everton were in complete control after 60 minutes, but somehow fell to a 2-1 defeat.
The Toffees had Bournemouth where they wanted them as the pressure piled after an opener from Iliman Ndiaye, but complacency eventually came back to haunt Everton.
Thierno Barry had several chances to kill the game, but his misses proved costly as Everton suddenly conceded to Rayan and Amine Adli in the 61st and 64th minute respectively to throw away all three points.
It was a strange performance from Everton – but David Moyes warned supporters that these moments could happen back in August ahead of the first game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
HOW on earth have Everton ended up losing that? 😡
Something drastically needs to change on home soil… 🫣
James Tarkowski in action for Everton against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Credit: Getty Images/Simon Stacpoole/Offside.
Everton are still in need of the “time” to adjust that David Moyes warned about
The 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth means Everton have now gone six games without a win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
It is not exactly looking like a comfortable home for the Toffees right now, but Moyes told fans it would take time for Everton to “settle in” at the new stadium when writing his programme notes for the friendly against Roma back in August, and also in his notes for the win over Brighton.
As quoted by the official Everton website, the Glaswegian said: “The move here wouldn’t be worthwhile if we didn’t bring the soul of Goodison Park with us to Hill Dickinson Stadium… it will take time for everyone to settle in – us included.”
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The “soul of Goodison Park” Moyes spoke about is also yet to be felt at the Hill Dickinson Stadium either, with opponents looking quite comfortable for large parts of games.
Everton have won just five of 15 games at the Hill Dickinson Stadium so far this season – with one of those coming against Mansfield in the Carabao Cup.
Therefore, Moyes needs to do something to make his side feel more at home quickly, or else the impressive away form will end up counting for very little.
Why David Moyes thinks Everton could be struggling at the Hill Dickinson Stadium
Several reporters have already asked Moyes – who is now without Jake O’Brien for three games – about the worrying home form, and he has a couple of theories.
One is that the 62-year-old feels opponents are benefitting from the “stunning” facilities on offer behind the scenes, saying: “I’ve regularly made the point that while we are enjoying playing at Hill Dickinson, maybe the opposition do too… I wonder whether they are enjoying coming to such stunning facilities.”
Moyes has also spoken about the size of the pitch. The Guardian quote him as saying: “We’ve got bigger spaces at the new stadium, the pitch size won’t be that much different, but it does have a bit of an effect on how it feels.
“It feels much more spacious, the pitch and the area. It’s difficult to explain but I’m trying to come up with reasons for it.”
Who was Everton’s biggest let down in that defeat to Bournemouth? 😤
There were a number of really poor displays out there! ❌
Jake O'Brien is sent off against Bournemouth.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Moyes needs to turn things around sharpish, or the Hill Dickinson Stadium will start to possess the soulless feeling of a place like the London Stadium – which has been a miserable move for West Ham.
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