Paul Robinson fears Frank Lampard has a problem at Everton as his defenders did not ‘look committed’ against Brighton & Hove Albion. The Seagulls took a 4-1 win at Goodison Park.
Lampard started the night with his first-choice backline on Tuesday before captain Seamus Coleman replaced Nathan Patterson after an injury. Yet Conor Coady, James Tarkowski and Coleman did not inspire much belief in Robinson. Vitalii Mykolenko also started the fixture.
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Patterson was also partly at fault for Kaoru Mitoma scoring Brighton’s first goal. He failed to intercept Moises Caicedo’s pass and could do nothing to stop Mitoma skipping into the area. And Everton’s backline continued to be at sixes and sevens during the second period.
Evan Ferguson added to Brighton’s lead as Everton failed to deal with Mitoma’s deflected cross. Tarkowski was too hesitant to shut the 25-year-old down, while Ferguson ghosted in between Coady and Mykolenko. Solly March would also punish Tarkowski and Mykolenko.
Tarkowski could only stumble as March cut inside Mykolenko after letting Ferguson play a pass over to the midfielder. While Pascal Gross grabbed Brighton’s fourth goal and third in six minutes soon after as he intercepted Idrissa Gueye’s careless backpass and raced clear.
Robinson fears a ‘problem for Lampard’ as his Everton stars ‘don’t look committed’
Demarai Gray eventually got a goal back for Everton in the 92nd minute from the penalty spot. But the game had long been over as a contest to leave the Toffees just a point above the relegation zone. They have also played a game more than the four teams below them.
Robinson was shocked at the shambolic nature of Everton’s defending after Brighton built a 4-0 lead at Goodison on Tuesday. The former England goalkeeper now fears Lampard has a problem on his hands in the Toffees’ backline no longer appearing committed to his cause.
“This could become embarrassing for Everton,” Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “They have a leader in Coady and Tarkowski [and] they have Coleman on the pitch, too.
“They can’t concede another goal. The players don’t look committed and this could be a problem for Lampard. The defence has been nothing but terrible.”
Lampard will be very concerned if Coady and Tarkowski are no longer committed to him at Everton after losing to Brighton. Both were his signings in the summer with Coady arriving on loan from Wolves and Tarkowski joining for free after his contract with Burnley expired.
They have also been two of Everton’s best and most consistent performers so far this term and crucial for Lampard. So, the Toffees boss will hope Brighton just marks a very, very bad day at the office for his defenders. Next up, though, are Manchester United in the FA Cup.
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