‘The Benitez factor is a HUGE problem for them’: Everton manager has got ‘real issues’ which will ‘grow and grow and grow’, insists Chris Sutton after their third straight defeat at Wolves
- Everton’s has fallen to one victory in six after losing 2-1 to Wolves on Monday
- The Toffees are without key men Calvert-Lewin, Doucoure and Mina
- Rafa Benitez’s side were particularly poor in the first-half at Molineux
- Chris Sutton believes Everton boss Rafa Benitez has some mounting problems
Chris Sutton is fearing for Rafa Benitez after his Everton side slipped to a third-straight defeat, accusing the Toffees of only ‘turning up’ for 45 minutes.
Benitez’s men have just a 2-0 win over rock-bottom Norwich to show from their last six matches, and their performance at Molineux on Monday night continued a worrying trend.
Everton are missing key men Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Yerry Mina and are struggling to cope, especially in a turgid first-half.
Everton fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Wolves on Monday after a dismal first-half
Benitez insisted there were positives but the Toffees’ poor spell of form continued at Molineux
‘This is now three defeats on the spin for Benitez. You can’t expect to turn up for 45 minutes and win a game at this level,’ Sutton said on BBC 5 Live.
‘Everton have got key players out like Calvert-Lewin and Doucoure. They look short in midfield. They were better in the second half but they’ve got problems and the Benitez factor is a huge problem for them. A lot of fans didn’t want him.
‘In the first half they came with very little intent. He’s got real issues.
‘Under Benitez they’re not going to be on the front foot and this is going to grow and grow and grow.’
Chris Sutton is concerned the ‘Benitez factor’ could be the undoing of the Spaniard’s reign
The Toffees fell to two first-half goals before rallying in the second-half but it was too late
Powerhouse players Abdoulaye Doucoure, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina are out
As an Anfield icon Benitez’s appointment was faced with initial disgust from some Everton fans but following a lightning start to the season that talk was binned.
Benitez insists he’s received a overwhelmingly positive reception from the Goodison faithful but he must get result flowing again to avoid his Liverpool stint getting more mentions around the ground.
The Toffees face a brutal run of fixtures amid their injury troubles, with manger-less Spurs up next on Sunday. Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all await in their next seven games.
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