Former Everton striker Ellis Simms now has two hat-tricks in his last three Coventry City appearances as his former employers toil in front of goal in the Premier League.
Sean Dyche could have been forgiven for feeling as if he was suffering from a vivid case of deja vu as he fronted up to the cameras after Everton’s 3-1 defeat at home to West Ham United on Saturday.
For what felt like the umpteenth time in 2023/24 alone, The Toffees were made to pay for wasting chances at one end as they conceded the decider at the other, Alphonse Areola’s stellar display between the sticks doing little to quell the notion that – when it comes to sticking the ball in the back of the net – Everton just cannot catch a break.
With that in mind, the form of Ellis Simms – sold by Everton last summer – feels like insult added to injury, even if the striker’s quickfire hat-tricks have come against very limited opposition.
Former Everton striker cannot stop scoring
After ending Maidstone United’s FA Cup dream with a fierce treble in late February, Simms – who was brought in following the departure of talisman Viktor Gyokeres – scored another hat-trick as Coventry ran riot against doomed Rotherham United on Tuesday night.
His three goals against the hapless Millers, remarkably, came in just 32 first-half minutes.
“He should be confident,” Coventry boss Mark Robins said of a man who’s one and only Premier League goal came in a draw away to Chelsea in May 2023 (Coventry Telegraph). “There was once or twice when he got the ball and gave it away. And when he realises this he’ll be awesome.
“Absolutely awesome!
“And you can see that he can finish… right and left foot, and that’s when he’s not thinking about things. He just finishes and that’s one of the big things.”
Toffees need a goalscorer
Simms, the one-time Hearts and Sunderland loanee, had endured a difficult start to life with the Sky Blues. Robins, however, is hoping that a run of six goals in his last three games will prove to be a turning point in the 23-year-old’s career.
“Last week, he had a chance to score against West Brom when Kasey Palmer slid him in and he took it early and hit it over the bar,” Robins adds.
“But had he taken his time, and maybe even taken it on a bit further, closer to the goal, then he could have finished. Even if he puts it in that same place and hits the target, it makes the keeper work and you never know.
“He has got incredible pace and incredible strength, and when he realises that he’s going to be some player.”
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