Lyon 3-0 Everton: Humiliation

We’d be remiss to not begin this post by sparing a thought for Everton defender Cuco Martina, who looked to have suffered a serious injury in the first half tonight against Lyon. Caught high in the air on a challenge, Martina fell and landed violently on his back.

The Curacao native had to be immobilized by neck brace and transported off the field via stretcher. We’ll keep you updated on his health. Get well soon, Cuco.

Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Elsewhere, Everton were eliminated from the Europa League after putting in a meek, toothless, and embarrassing performance in France.

• David Unsworth set up his side to avoid losing in a game the Blues had to win. Gylfi Sigurdsson played most of the match as a lone striker, with three defensive midfielders behind him. It didn’t work.
• If there are any positives from this match, the play of Ademola Lookman could be one. Incisive, tricky, and positive, it continues to baffle why the youngster isn’t in the team more often.
• After performances such as this, it’s hard to continue placing the blame on the manager. Nearly every player on the pitch is foolish, mistake prone, out of position, and late to everything.
• That being said, it’s clear now that David Unsworth will not get this permanent job, nor does he deserve it. Rhino may end up an excellent manager in the future, but he is in over his head right now.
• It’s easy to pick out Ashley Williams or Mason Holgate as Everton’s worst player this season, but Morgan Schneiderlin deserves a real shout there. The Frenchman can’t complete his trademark forward-progression passes, he can’t tackle, and he was sent off today for the second time this season. Frankly, on current form, Beni Baningime is better.
• Nonsensical tactics. Obscenely stupid mistakes. No quality. No attack. Heartless. Same as it ever was.

Let’s forget this ever happened.