- David Moyes’ first match back as Everton manager ends in defeat by Aston Villa
- Ollie Watkins grabs the only goal of the game as Toffees fail to score yet again
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! Why Manchester United may have to sell Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho
When the great Sir Alex Ferguson was replaced by the man dubbed The Chosen One in 2013, the Old Trafford faithful came up with a catchy chant. ‘Come on David Moyes, play like Fergie’s boys,’ the terraces urged – until things turned sour at least.
As Moyes came full-circle and returned to his old stomping ground of Goodison Park more than a decade on, the feeling from the stands was more like: ‘Come on David Moyes, do anything but play like Dychey’s boys.’
The man he replaced, Sean Dyche, got his marching orders after a run where they failed to score in eight of his final 10 league games. Fans – and ultimately the owners – had become tired so Moyes had a chance to get the supporters on side early by letting his team off the leash.
His problem, though, was that they played rather similarly to some of those subpar displays under his predecessor. Aston Villa were the party-poopers on the Scotsman’s homecoming as Ollie Watkins made the task at hand look a tad more difficult than it might have said on the tin.
Everton had two reasonable penalty shouts in the second half and Dominic Calvert-Lewin squandered a gilt-edged chance to equalise in stoppage time – so this was far from terrible. But the problems were the same as the ones that ruined Dyche’s tenure: wasteful finishing.
Moyes is not to blame for Everton’s deficiencies given the lack of time he has had on the training pitch. But this outing will have helped illustrate to him the complexity of the job ahead to lead the Toffees to their swanky new stadium as a Premier League club.
Ollie Watkins slots the ball past Jordan Pickford to seal all three points for Aston Villa
It’s a hard watch for David Moyes on his return to Goodison Park as Everton again fail to score
Dominic Calvert-Lewis finds his path blocked as he tries to find a breakthrough for his side
They are just a point ahead of the drop zone before the visit of Tottenham on Sunday and a trip to Brighton the following game, so Moyes also knows change must come with urgency – or they will start to amble towards the relegation trap-door yet again.
The new manager’s return was rather lowkey with a gentle wave offered to all four corners of Goodison Park. One sensed it was a truly touching moment for Moyes, who loves this club, as he was warmly received in return – but the pleasantries ended there.
Villa were far from their best but put in an efficient display to claim their second new-boss scalp in a week after knocking Graham Potter out of the FA Cup on his West Ham bow. Unai Emery’s charges have now won three on the spin and, after an inconsistent spell, are looking up again.
Their best early chances, though, came from Everton mistakes. The usually-spotless Jarrad Branthwaite carelessly lost the ball and needed partner James Tarkowski to bail him out, then a calamitous Ashley Young back-pass set Watkins through – only for him to pull a shot wide.
Everton scored after 27 seconds on Moyes’s first debut when David Unsworth put them ahead in a 2-1 win over Fulham. This time, they had to wait 38 minutes to even test Emi Martinez and deep into second-half stoppage time for them to actually look a genuine and consistent threat.
Villa took the lead not long into the second half, again Branthwaite the perpetrator as he gave away possession and Morgan Rogers fed Watkins. The striker charged down on his England team-mate Pickford and confidently slotted home.
From there, Everton saw a lot of the ball in Villa’s half – but did next to nothing with it. Aimless crosses, sideways passing with no urgency. Orel Mangala saw one saved by Martinez in stoppage time and Calvert-Lewin also skied one over.
So in the end, Villa hung on. It was by no means a polished display but it was enough to ruin Moyes’s homecoming. Emery, who will soon be boosted by Donyell Malen – the new winger who was in the stands – said: ‘It was very important to win.
Watkins roars in delight as he celebrates his ninth goal of the season in all competitions
Moyes was given a warm reception by the Goodison Park faithful on his return to the club
It was a big result for Unai Emery ahead of two tricky away trips: Arsenal and then Monaco
‘We have broken our bad spell in the league away from home. We want to be more consistent in the table.’
Moyes is crying out for that consistency. He said: ‘It is just that clinical action, that clinical moment.
‘I think it is there for everybody to see. I can’t magician all that to change. (This job) is a huge challenge, I can see that.’