Sky Sports pundit Ray Wilkins has given Everton a ‘C-‘ grade for their performance during their disappointing 4-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
The Toffees failed to make it on the scoresheet at Old Trafford as Jose Mourinho’s side hammered home four goals courtesy of Antonio Valencia, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, former Toffee Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial.
The defeat marked Ronald Koeman’s third successive loss in the Premier League and Wilkins has blamed the club’s work ethic for their disappointing set of results.
“It’s been a difficult start for them. When you watch a team that is really struggling you look at their work ethic first and foremost,” the pundit wrote in his Sky ratings.
“It looks like Everton are getting very despondent very quickly. If they go a goal behind it’s as if the game is done and dusted. That can’t happen and it’s something they need to address.
“If you go a goal behind, you have to pick yourselves up, dust yourselves off and have a go at getting back into the game.
“Koeman needs his big players to stand up and be counted because the senior players are the ones that make the club.”
After a string of difficult opponents such as United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City, the Toffees are set to face smaller clubs during their next fixtures.
The Blues host Sunderland on Wednesday in the third round of the League Cup before facing Bournemouth in the Premier League.
OPINION
While Everton have faced a number of tricky opponents over the past few weeks, Wilkins’ analysis of the Toffees’ work ethic is true. The Blues need to learn not to give up after going behind in a match, and this must start with Koeman. The boss has appeared tense and frustrated throughout the club’s recent fixtures, and it’s understandable. However, this can have a knock-on effect on his players. Goals are a huge issue for Everton and they need to go back to basics and gel as a team. Hopefully, an easier run of fixtures will have a positive effect on the team and they can kick on from their dreadful start to the season.