The 3-0 defeat to Manchester United at Goodison Park yesterday was not the fitting tribute to Howard Kendall we all hoped for. The news of the sad and sudden passing of the club’s greatest ever manager yesterday morning left everyone involved with the club devastated.
It’s easy to look for excuses for the defeat, but when such a colossal figure passes away so unexpectedly, you’re kidding yourself if you don’t think players are affected. They are human beings, after all.
The performance on the pitch was sloppy, with passes going astray. Minds were elsewhere, and it’s understandable.
Add in the fact that John Stones and Seamus Coleman were returning to the defence after several weeks on the sidelines, and such a disjointed performance was hardly a surprise.
Take nothing away from United either; they dominated the ball, moved it around with precision and purpose and were clinical in front of goal.
Prior to yesterday’s game, the Blues had only lost once in arguably the toughest opening set fixtures of anyone in the league. A return to the sort of form witnessed in Martinez’s first season was heralded.
It’s important to keep things in perspective. Saturday was a difficult for Everton Football Club and everyone associated with it; a day where the football was ultimately secondary.
