PREMIER LEAGUE THE UGLY
When things aren’t going well at Everton, the fans are never shy of making their feelings known, and they haven’t held back this time either as a promising start to the season has turned into one of immense struggle. A significant slump in form has resulted in the atmosphere at Goodison Park becoming occasionally toxic, with anger being aimed towards the club’s owners as well as manager Rafael Benitez and his team. The appointment of Benitez was risky given his previous association with Liverpool, but although results have been poor, he’s an easy target for criticism when in reality he inherited a tricky situation. In recognition of that, the simmering frustration in the stands spilled over during a heavy home defeat to the Spaniard’s former club in the Merseyside derby, with chants of ‘sack the board’ and the unfurling of a large banner which demanded the club
to adhere to its motto, Nil Satis Nisi Optimum: Nothing but the best is good enough. Sadly for Everton, they are a million miles away from being the best. Majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri took control back in 2016 with the aim of securing Champions League football and establishing them in the top four, but six years on and despite spending over £500m on transfers, the Toffees arguably find themselves in a worse position than before. Many of those big money signings have fallen far below expectations, and the current squad is now painfully short of strength in depth. That fact was ruthlessly exposed by injuries to key players early in the season and having been restricted in the transfer market last summer due to Financial Fair Play, Benitez hasn’t had the chance to really stamp his mark on the club. It may take time to turn things around, but the fans’ patience is already at breaking point.
‘THE ANGER BEING AIMED TOWARDS THE CLUB’S OWNERS AS WELL AS MANAGER RAFAEL BENITEZ AND HIS TEAM.’ TOUCHING THE MILESTONE Liverpool became the first team in history to touch the milestone of 2000 top division wins when they beat Newcastle 3-1 at Anfield.
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SOCCER360 JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2022
FAR LEFT: Everton’s manager Rafael Benitez reacts during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton LEFT: Everton players celebrate scoring regardless of the slump the team is in TOP (OPPOSITE PAGE): Bernardo Silva celebrates after scoring a goal for Manchester City BOTTOM (OPPOSITE PAGE): Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers reacts during the English Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea
TEENAGE POWER Only Arsenal (20) have had more different teenage goalscorers in the Premier League than Everton, with Jarrad Branthwaite the 19th to do so for the Toffees.
