Everton's woes continue in bad-tempered encounter
Everton's disappointing run of form continued on Thursday as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Lyon in the Europa League.
Under-pressure Everton boss Ronald Koeman went into the game looking for a much-needed victory but his side got off to the worst possible start.
Young defender Mason Holgate upended Marcal after just five minutes and the referee pointed to the spot. Nabil Fekir did the honours, firing home low past a helpless Pickford to give the visitors the advantage early on.
That goal means Fekir has now been directly involved in 12 goals in 12 games so far this season (eight goals, four assists).
Truth be told, the French sides made all the early running, dominating possession for the first 20 minutes or so and threatening on the counter attack.
Ashley Williams had to be alert to prevent Memphis Depay from getting in after a fine pass from Fekir.
Everton started to grow into the game from the 20 minute mark and Kevin Mirallas, restored to the starting line-up, fizzed a low effort just wide after cutting in from the left.
Both sides exchanged long range strikes before Mirallas had a great chance to level the scores. Tom Davies slipped the Belgian in with a sumptuous through ball but Lopes in the Lyon goal did well to block Mirallas’ effort away at the near post.
Fekir almost doubled Lyon’s lead when his thumping free kick from 35 yards crashed back off the crossbar with a little help from a deflection off Davies.
The first half ended at a frenetic pace with both sides having excellent chances. First, Marcelo gave the ball away cheaply to Klaassen who drove forward and took aim from the edge of the box but Lopes managed to get down to his left to keep the Dutchman’s effort out. Then, Depay played a lovely one-two with Fekir in midfield before racing through on goal but Pickford did well to keep his effort out. The Dutchman really shouldn’t have given him any chance though.
It took a last-ditch challenge from Kenny Tete to prevent Mirallas from having a free shot on goal as the half drew to a close before former Chelsea man Bertrand Traore curled narrowly wide of the far post after cutting in from the right in the last action of the half.
The break came at a bad time for the ‘Toffees’ as they were playing their best football of the game at that point but as the whistle was blown they headed for the dressing room a goal behind.
Not perturbed by the untimely nature of the break, Everton started the second half on the front foot. Just seconds in Lopes was forced to palm away a dangerous cross from Holgate, before Lookman, who replaced Klaassen at half-time, stabbed an effort at goal at the back post after a flick-on from Calvert-Lewin.
Despite looking dangerous going forward, Everton were held back by a number of sloppy errors. Anouar first robbed Davies before setting Maolida away but Schneiderlin did brilliantly to get back and make a great block.
The block cost Everton the services of the Frenchman who was forced off through injury before the game took a dramatic turn.
In a fit of frustration Ashley Williams needlessly shoved Lopes over when he gathered a corner. That sparked ugly scenes as Traore and several other players took exception to the challenge and and ten-man brawl ensued. To the naked eye it looked like Williams may have thrown a sly jab in here or there but he was given a reprieve as he escaped with only a yellow card.
That decision proved to be key as just minutes later he drew Everton level. Vlasic was fouled on the right and from the free kick Gylfi Sigurdsson stepped up to curl a perfect ball into the box for the big Welshman to power home a header and level the scores.
Sigurdsson’s delivery almost cut out the middleman moments later as his deep free kick from the left evaded everyone and crashed into the post.
Everton looked by far the most likely to go on and win the game at that point but they were shocked just three minutes later when Lyon retook the lead. Good work from Cornet down the right saw him get to the byline and pull the ball back for Traore, who was on hand to convert from close range with a nonchalant backheel.
Calvert-Lewin saw a header well saved by Lopes as Everton briefly threatened to reply again but Jordan Pickford was the busier goalkeeper in the closing stages as he was called into action to deny Ferri and Cornet.
The loss leaves Everton propping up the group with just one point ahead of the return leg in France in two weeks’ time and more importantly four games without a win with the pressure continuing to mount on Koeman.