It was a nightmarish start for Everton at Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
David Moyes watched his side concede a penalty within the opening two minutes after Jordan Pickford fouled Kevin Schade – once a target for Everton – which allowed Igor Thiago to open the scoring.
However, it was James Tarkowski who was primarily at fault for the goal, and his lackadaisical attitude could open the door for Michael Keane to take his spot in the Merseyside derby next week.
Sum that one up for us, Blues! 🤩
Beto of Everton scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Alex Broadway
David Moyes must be absolutely furious with James Tarkowski
After Caoimhin Kelleher sent the ball forward in the second minute, Jarrad Branthwaite was busy jostling with Thiago, while Vitalii Mykolenko had Dango Ouattara to worry about.
Tarkowski – who Seamus Coleman admires – was all alone and ought to have helped his preoccupied teammates by meeting the ball, but inexplicably allowed it to bounce as he carelessly jogged around, also with no idea whatsoever that Schade had already started to run beyond him.
Ouattara then slotted the Germany international through on goal after he easily evaded the oblivious Everton No.6 – eventually winning the penalty for Thiago to dispatch.
It was a terrible look for Tarkowski, who seemed more like a Sunday League footballer than a Premier League star involved in a crucial clash for a UEFA Champions League spot.
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This was a truly seismic game for Everton in the hunt for European football, and while there is no shame in drawing away to this Brentford side, you would expect a lot more from the experienced 33-year-old as the oldest member of the backline in London.
Who was your Man of the Match in that crunch game? 💪
Brentford v Everton - Premier League
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
With Keane – a man who has made 24 Premier League starts already this season – surprisingly named on the bench for the clash in London, Moyes might consider swapping the former Manchester United defender with Tarkowski for the Merseyside derby next Sunday after seeing how little effort he put into preventing Brentford’s opener.
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