Everton travelled to South Wales to face Swansea City, a side that has only beaten the Blues once in their entire history.
That trend continued after the full-time whistle but Everton had failed to punish the Swans. Despite having numerous chances they were unable to convert any of them.
The first-half was fairly even with neither side totally dominating but both having chances to score; Swansea’s openings coming via Bafetimbi Gomis who acrobatically shot from around 15 yards after an out-swinging cross from Andre Ayew, only for Tim Howard to make a fairly comfortable save.
The Frenchman then capitalised on a loose header from Gareth Barry who failed to communicate with his captain Phil Jagielka. Luckily for Everton, Gomis failed to convert as he dragged his shot wide under pressure from the impressive Brendan Galloway.
Everton had their chances too, Steven Naismith was played through but the Scot was eventually crowded out just inside the area, Barkley produced an outstanding driven cross from the right which was destined to be put into the back of the net by Lukaku but unfortunately the man who seemed to regularly foil the Blues’ attempts to score, Ashley Williams, made a vital interception at the near post.
Lukaku had two more opportunities inside the first 45 minutes, firstly deflecting a Naismith shot towards goal only for Fabianski to get down well, he also created some space on the right-hand side of the area to shoot but once more Williams got a toe on the ball to send it over the cross bar.
The first period was as previously mentioned fairly even but it was rather apparent that if the Blues could up the tempo of their play then they could really take control of the affair, and that’s exactly what they did.
The second half started as the first finished with slight Swansea pressure but that was quickly seen off and Everton really took the game by the scruff of it’s neck. Barkley again drilled a ball across the box but avoided the back of the net not due to Swansea but Everton themselves. Arouna Kone who was just six yards out failed to make any contact as he seemed to concentrate too much on putting the ball in the corner rather than just in the goal.
Again Lukaku had chances as he was in one-on-one three times but missed all three in different ways.
Firstly, he took too much time to shoot just inside the box and therefore saw his shot well blocked. Next he completely ballooned his shot over the goal from a favourable angle and distance and finally he had an unconvincing effort cleared off the line by, you guessed it, Ashley Williams. After he failed to connect with a looping ball but had a second bite off the cherry which evaded the ‘keeper but not the Wales international who had took up a smart position on the line.
He then came close again after Gerard Deulofeu’s introduction as he produced similar drilled crosses to Barkley’s only for both Lukaku and Naismith to come agonisingly close to finally put the Blues in the lead.
Swansea did remind Everton periodically that they were still in a game as Gomis turned and shot smartly from around twenty yards for Howard to calmly block away, Jefferson Montero, who was stifled well by Tyias Browning, also kept the Toffees on their toes with a powerful shot from the left hand-side of the box which again Howard saved this time tipping over the bar.
With a few minutes remaining Kevin Mirallas was introduced into the game looking rather frustrated that he hadn’t started and that he was only getting such as short time on the pitch when brought on. This frustration resulted in his time on the pitch being even shorter than Martínez had intended, as he put a really poor challenge in over the top of the ball with his studs showing. The referee had no option but to send him off.
All in all Everton played really well which just heightens the sense of disappointment as they couldn’t find that goal. The word of the day is most definitely frustration, at what seems like two points dropped, the failure to score and ultimately Mirallas and his lack of discipline. If they continue to perform like they did today good things lie ahead but clinical finishing and players fully committed to the cause are required for that to materialise.
