New Season, Same Old Everton

Everton suffered defeat on the opening day of the season in a performance that is all too familiar.

Bobby Decordova-Reid nets his 20th for Fulham leading his side to victory over a wasteful Everton \(Credit: Simon Stacpoole/Getty Images)

Everton begun their 2023/24 EPL campaign in the same way they started the previous season, a 1-0 home defeat to a West-London side. The toffees only have themselves to blame as they wasted a flurry of chances, particularly in the first half. The loss against Fulham, who were nowhere near their best, should send alarm bells around Goodison Park, if there were not enough already.

The Toffees scored the second lowest number of goals last season and if the opening game and preseason fixtures are anything to go by, goal scoring is going to be an issue yet again. Youssef Chermiti has given some hope to the Goodison faithful with Everton finally confirming the signing of the 19 year old Portuguese striker a few days ago.

Neal Maupay has struggled to make an impact for Everton after joining from Brighton last Summer (Credit: Getty Images)

Neal Maupay started the Fulham game as the lone striker with Dominic Calvert-Lewin (you guessedit) injured. Maupay was unable to find the back of the net and despite being lively in the first half, he wasted three chances before being subbed in the 72nd minute. It looks like the struggles in front of goal will continue for Maupay this season who is ultimately judged on the amount of times he puts the ball past the goalkeeper. This leads me to my very uncontroversial first take.

Take #1: Maupay is not the solution

Abdoulaye Doucoure failed to convert a golden chance in the fifth minute of the game (Credit: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images).

Everton's new £15m signing, Youssef Chermiti is Sean Dyche's and Kevin Thelwell's attempt at solving the goal shortage at Goodison Park. Chermiti is a relatively unproven 19 year old and whilst the striker clearly has potential, he is not a 20 goal a year striker yet and nor is he going to provide instant goal relief to the Blues. There is no denying that when Calvert-Lewin plays in blue, Everton are a better side. Unfortunately DCL's body has failed him (again) this preseason which has reassured the he cannot be relied upon week in week out. The Blues scored just five goals in five preseason games and along with failing to score on Saturday my second take is as follows

Take #2: Everton will score the least number of goals this season

Whilst I believe that Everton will score the fewest number of goals this season, I am not sure if the Blues will go down. I do not normally agree with Jamie Carragher's takes, he was on the money this week by saying that "Everton will be a tough team to beat but they will also be a tough watch". The toffees looked solid enough at the back and will be hard to score against this year and being an Everton fan, I can confirm that the Fulham game was indeed a very tough watch.

Bill Kenwright's time at Everton is coming to an end (Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images).

The Blues fans called for drastic change after back to back great escapes to remain a premier league club. The board somewhat listened to the fans and the offseason saw the exit of Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Grant Ingles and Graeme Sharpe which cost the club £7m in exit payments. Chairman Bill Kenwright is expected to leave the club once the takeover is finalised which will cost the club an expected further £3m.

There is no denying Kenwright's love for the club but he has simply underperformed with his board for many years now. Getting Everton back into the powerhouse it once was over 30 years ago will be a long process and fans should not expect instant returns from laying off staff.

Take #3: It is a long, long road for Everton back to where they once were

The opening day of the season also saw Arsenal, Brighton and Newcastle continue their good form from last season with wins over Nottingham Forest, EPL new boys Luton Town and Aston Villa respectively. Man City kicked off their campaign on Friday night with an impressive victory and yet again will be the team to beat in season 2023/24.

Everton will try get their first win of the season next week as they travel to the Midlands to take on Aston Villa.

See you next week for another instalment of Ollies Takes.