No shock revelation for David Moyes as Everton fail to score again

LONDON – The English Premier League table told the story before he arrived but after his first match back in charge of Everton on Jan 15, David Moyes was even more clear that the team’s underlying problem is a failure to score, or even really look like scoring.

The 1-0 home defeat by Aston Villa meant that the Toffees have failed to score in their last three league matches, and their paltry total of 15 goals in 20 games this season is the second-worst after bottom club Southampton’s 12.

The Saints were in action at Manchester United on Jan 16 in a match that kicked off after press time, so Everton could be the side with the least number of goals in the unlikely event that Southampton score four.

“I didn’t think we played that well. We offered a little bit more in the second half but ultimately couldn’t quite score a goal,” Moyes said after Ollie Watkins’ 51st-minute goal settled his first game since replacing Sean Dyche last week.

“We’re lacking people to score, we’re lacking creating those chances. We probably had two or three good chances, half-chances... I thought Jesper (Lindstrom) had a good chance to score with his head and Dom (Dominic Calvert-Lewin) at the end – but we need to create even more than that.”

Striker Calvert-Lewin is having a torrid time, with only two goals this season and having not scored since September.

His stoppage-time miss was a first-time clip over the bar from an awkward low cross, but he also failed to make the most of two decent opportunities in the first half.

The 27-year-old looks a million miles away from the player who scored four goals in 11 England appearances in 2020 and 2021 and unless he rediscovers even a hint of that form, Everton look destined for another nervous relegation fight as they currently hover just one point above the drop zone.

Calvert-Lewin’s travails are only part of the problem, however, with a midfield desperately short of guile, particularly in the continued absence of the injured Dwight McNeil.

“It’s a huge challenge,” added Moyes, who regularly had Everton in the top eight during his 11 years in charge up to 2013.

“I think we’ve got a really good group of lads and they’re committed. They’ve been great in training and they’re up for the fight. We’re just desperately needing some players to create and craft goals – and finish them as well.”

He added: “The crowd were great and I was really thankful for their reception. I’m kind of keeping my head down because I’ve had some great memories with the supporters, but we’ve lost tonight and we’re near the bottom of the league. I need to find a way to score more goals and get more wins.”

The Scot also revealed that injury-ravaged on-loan striker Armando Broja would be out of action for 10 to 12 weeks with ankle ligament damage suffered in last week’s FA Cup win over Peterborough and that he might have to return to Chelsea. REUTERS