Everton 2-2 Watford: Instant Reaction | Chaos

If you’re a young, aspiring soccer writer at home, let me give you a word of advice.

Never, ever pre-write your postgame reaction. It will always bite you in the back. In this case, I’m glad it did, given that Lucas Digne scored a beautiful free kick with essentially no time on the clock to equalize against a much superior Watford FC side.

It was not a deserved point, and so, escaping from Goodison Park with our tails between our legs seems like the right thing to do.

Everton wasted another opportunity against a team less talented than they are, and have now only won one point out of the last nine available. A heartbreaking loss at Anfield was followed by the mediocre draw against Newcastle, and today’s 2-1 loss to Javi Gracia’s Watford side was perhaps the most annoying result of all.

• Marco Silva reverted back to his favorite starting 11 (you know, the one with Richarlison up top), and while it felt like it was working for a spell, the final result said otherwise. The Blues continue to go without goals from Bernard and Theo Walcott, and their ineffectiveness in front of goal is a serious problem.
• As fans, it’s difficult to understand why the players and managers cannot bring a certain level of consistency. Everton’s big problem isn’t their form against the top six, but a consistent inability to beat teams like Watford and Newcastle. We truly don’t ask for much, guys. Just perform.
• Watford deserved their result today, and it could have been worse, given that Richarlison’s first half goal should have pretty clearly been ruled offside thanks to Theo Walcott’s touch in the run up. Kevin Friend gave us a break, and we still couldn’t capitalize.
• Everton can create enough chances in matches, and they can defend properly in others. It’s rare, though, that we’ve seen them do both at once, and the upcoming match against Manchester City isn’t a great time to try and get yourself sorted out. This might get worse before it gets better.
• The players are there. The manager is there. The mindset, as ever, is a problem. Everton that.

Do we have to go to the Etihad?