Ronald Koeman believes Everton emerged stronger and leaner from the January transfer window, and for a hour they were certainly too much for a lightweight-looking Bournemouth to handle. Romelu Lukaku, who ended up with four goals and could have had more, was too powerful for Bournemouth’s defence on his own. Yet the Everton manager was nowhere near as pleased with what he saw in the second half, for after establishing complete control and cruising into a three-goal lead the home side went right off the boil and allowed their opponents back into the game.
Bournemouth fell behind after just 30 seconds, before most members of their team had managed to touch the ball, and for the rest of the first half looked demoralised and resigned to taking a beating. Bournemouth could still find themselves dragged into the relegation mix, and if they begin many more games as listlessly as they started this one they will continue to slide down the table. If they play as they did in the second half they will have more of a chance, though in view of the final scoreline the partial comeback was probably more a case of Everton falling asleep rather than their opponents waking up.
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