Everton were deemed by many to have “won the transfer window” this summer but with that tag came great pressure.
It all started so well for Ronald Koeman’s side with Wayne Rooney scoring the winner against Stoke City on the opening weekend before a draw at Manchester City.
But three consecutive defeats to Chelsea, Tottenham and Atalanta have seen the Toffees concede eight without reply.
A trip to Old Trafford to face title hopefuls Manchester United on Sunday looks increasingly daunting and Koeman’s side could even be in the fledgling table’s bottom three by then.
It is a far cry from the hype and optimism which greeted the club’s start to the season.
The Toffees look light up front despite the arrivals of Sandro Ramirez and Rooney and Koeman is struggling to fit Gylfi Sigurdsson, Davy Klassen and co into a coherent team.
A Romelu Lukaku shaped hole remains in the Everton side and the tide is turning for the Dutch taskmaster as the pressure mounts.
It may still be early days but Everton could already find themselves off the top four just five weeks into the campaign.
Koeman watched his side lose 3-0 to Atalanta on Thursday night
While Champions League was always going to be a big ask, the club’s ambitious owners will expect a minimum top six finish.
Koeman’s compatriot Frank de Boer has already lost his job and a win for Slaven Bilic last time out has eased pressure on the West Ham manager’s shoulders.
Defeat to Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils on Sunday and Koeman will undoubtedly be the next under the microscope.
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