Journalist pinpoints Everton striking woes as Rondon and Iwobi fail to deliver

Mon 18 October 2021 20:45, UK

Everton’s struggles continued in attacking duo’s absence.

The Toffees fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to West Ham over the weekend.

It was a poor performance from the Merseysiders as they failed to really threaten the Hammers.

A lot of that is down to the fact that they didn’t have either Richarlison or Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit.

That meant that Rafa Benitez was forced to use Salomon Rondon and Alex Iwobi.

The pair just aren’t at the levels required, though.

In Daniel Storey’s Monday column for , he picked out this exact point.

Storey stated:

“The 1-0 defeat to West Ham was a setback after the draw at Old Trafford.”

“It’s further proof that the availability of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison will determine Everton’s league finish this season.”

“In 2020-21, Everton won only 33 per cent of their matches when either of the pair was absent (and 50 per cent with them).”

“This season it’s 43 per cent without (and 67 per cent with them).”

“The drop-off to Alex Iwobi and Salomon Rondon is enormous.”

Everton’s struggles continued in attacking duo’s absence

He’s right.

Iwobi and Rondon are good enough squad players.

However, they just don’t match the standards of the Toffees prime goalscorers.

Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin are game changers at Goodison Park.

If the Toffees are to bounce back quickly from their home defeat then the fans will want the pair back fit fast.

The next clash that the Everton fans will see their side face is a home clash with Watford.

This gives the Merseysiders a chance to get back to winning ways immediately.

It will be an even bigger opportunity should either Calvert-Lewin or Richarlison return to the starting line up.