Report shares how £18m man went against warning Everton issued to squad on Saturday

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Watford stunned Everton to win 5-2 at Goodison Park on Saturday, but the Toffees were well aware of a threatening trait the Hornets present which Lucas Digne failed to adhere to.

That’s according to The Athletic, who report the Toffees repeatedly warned their players against conceding cheap free-kicks in dangerous areas. The Merseyside natives noted the Vicarage Road outfit boast some big and potent attackers who thrive on aerial deliveries.

Everton frequently advised their players to show some caution when making tackles in the defensive-third to avoid allowing unnecessary chances. But Digne failed to adhere to Rafa Benitez’s warning when he fouled Jeremey Ngakia 10-minutes after Tom Davies’ opener.

Digne needlessly fouled Ngakia by Everton’s corner flag with the Watford defender posing no immediate danger. Josh King would equalise at the back post from the resulting free-kick taken by Adam Masina and flicked on invitingly by Craig Cathcart.

Benitez fumed at Everton conceding from a free-kick to Watford, potentially partly down to Digne not adhering to the warning. But also as set-pieces cost the Toffees the week before, when West Ham United sealed a 1-0 win at Goodison.

Set-pieces costing Everton after Watford loss marked back-to-back home defeats

Angelo Ogbonna sealed a late winner for David Moyes’ Hammers when the Italian rose the highest at the front post. Outjumping Blues defender Ben Godfrey from a corner to glance the ball over Jordan Pickford and break the deadlock.

Everton knew Watford would pose issues from set-pieces, so warned their players against giving up cheap chances like Digne allowed. With the £18m arrival from Barcelona in 2018 badly out-of-sorts and flipping the mood and tide in an instance.

Digne did not need to tackle Ngakia by the corner flag, but gave Watford the momentum after Everton controlled proceedings. Had the £119k-a-week Frenchman not fouled him, the Toffees may have continued their commanding start and gone on to win.