Ross Barkley's Impressive Early Showings Do Little to Lift the Gloom at Everton

Tommy Smith’s first half strike condemned Everton to their fourth opening day reverse in a row, capping off a turbulent week for the club. The win will revitalise Neil Warnock’s QPR, after they too had suffered an opening fixture nightmare at the hands of Bolton last week.  

Despite the mass furore surrounding chairman Bill Kenwright and Everton’s precarious foundations this week, the Toffees began the new campaign with an impressive looking squad on display. Not only was the starting XI infused with renowned Premier League talent, but the bench was similarly augmented by the presence of Mikel Arteta, Marouane Fellaini and Louis Saha.  

David Moyes, fresh from revealing his fulsome backing of the club’s besieged chairman, deployed his outfit in a familiar 4-5-1 formation. Curiously, Jack Rodwell was unleashed on the right of midfield, giving Leon Osman his preferred central berth, where he impressed at the tail end of last season. Debutant Ross Barkley then lined up on the left of midfield, cutting into a fluid quartet, backed up by Johnny Heitinga and spearheaded by Tim Cahill.  

Cahill was charged with supporting Jermaine Beckford, who led the line alone. A back four of Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin and Leighton Baines, in front of Tim Howard, represented Everton at full strength defensively.  

The game began tentatively. Everton appeared eager to ease into the new season, whilst QPR seemed determined to rebuild their fragile confidence from last week’s heavy defeat. Few chances were initially fashioned as possession remained in midfield.  

Much of the early tattle prior to kick off surrounded the excitement at Ross Barkley’s name being on the team sheet. Everton supporters harbour high hopes of the youngster becoming an instant star and after a tentative opening from both sides, it was the youngster’s confident foray forward that instigated his side's first effort at goal. Felled by an anxious defender, Leighton Baines crisply struck the resulting free-kick, only to see his effort hit the underside of the crossbar and bounce agonisingly clear.  

QPR eventually asserted themselves on the game, and in doing so, managed to grab the lead. On 31 minutes, what can only be described as tepid defending eventually presented Tommy Smith with ample time and space in the penalty area from where he finished. He received a clever ball from Akos Buzsaky after Everton, frequently choosing to stand off instead of press, failed to clear the threat on multiple occasions.  

Going behind ignited Everton’s attacking ambition, and before half time they scythed QPR apart three times from wide positions. Tim Cahill, twice, and Jermaine Beckford both should have scored before the break. Everton’s late added impetus spared Moyes and the Everton board a hostile half time send off, as the crowd envisaged a second half riposte.  

Clearly spurred on by their manager’s halftime pep talk, Everton did initially continue in the ascendancy. Jack Rodwell, hampered by his role out wide, was played in and should have done better two minutes into the second half.  

Mikel Arteta was then swiftly introduced in place of Rodwell, enhancing Everton’s creative prowess. The Spaniard played on the left, as Moyes switched Ross Barkley over to the right, where the youngster continued to give an assured display.  

Up until the hour mark, Everton’s attacking intent had pacified Goodison Park , yet with Jermaine Beckford’s touch becoming increasingly feeble, Moyes decided to introduce Marouane Fellaini at the striker’s expense.  

The substitution led to some irate booing from the Goodison faithful, bemused by the lack of any recognised striker on the pitch with the home side trailing. Even as the makeshift pairing of Fellaini and Cahill combined to test Paddy Kenny, the atmosphere around the stadium was suddenly impatient and terse.  

The negative switch in mood seemed to gradually seep down to the pitch, as players became more nervous, passes strayed off target, and several became guilty of possessing a hefty touch. 

Still unable to penetrate a resilient defence, Louis Saha was finally thrust into the fray with 15 minutes remaining, a move that temporarily appeased a portion of riled supporters. With six attack minded players venturing forward, Everton were primed for a final assault in an attempt to at least share the spoils, yet a full blooded onslaught barely materialised. Neville and Baines both sent in dangerous drives, whilst Barkley and Fellaini troubled the QPR rearguard in added time, but the Rangers defence remained rigid until the end.  

More booing greeted the final whistle, as frustration boiled over among many fans. This result will be difficult for Evertonians to stomach as QPR barely mustered an attack in the second half, yet Everton were unable to ever severely trouble Paddy Kenny. The game was a replica of several games at Goodison Park last season where Everton bossed the chances column, yet failed to capitalise on several openings.  

Everton will look back at the game as three points squandered, after hitting 14 shots to QPR’s four. Defensively, despite having little to do, Everton still looked vulnerable. QPR’s attackers were never pressed, and were allowed far too much time and respect for an easily preventable goal. David Moyes implemented some puzzling tactics throughout the game, but in general the players on the pitch were not cohesive or clinical enough to take the win. 

QPR are a team bolstered by a recent takeover, and resemble an outfit now poised to reap the financial rewards Everton so desperately seek. Yet, as troubled as Everton may be financially, this side had talent their London opponents would crave. If Everton’s trend of attaining few early season wins continues this year, team morale may begin to drop with alarming pace. David Moyes could well be in for his most arduous term yet in his long tenure at Goodison Park and surely any success this season would rank among his best exploits at Everton. 

Ratings: 

Howard: 6, Neville: 6, Baines: 7, Distin: 6, Jagielka: 5, Heitinga: 4, Rodwell: 4, Osman: 5, Cahill: 6, Barkley: 7, Beckford: 5.  

Arteta: 5, Fellaini: 6, Saha: 5.

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