Everton were held to a 1-1 draw by Swansea despite taking a half-time lead.

An own goal from Kyle Naughton had seen the Blues heading into the break at the Liberty Stadium with an unlikely upper hand.

But Sam Allardyce’s side could not double their advantage as Jordan Ayew eventually drew the host level in the 71st minute.

Here were the key talking points from South Wales:

Blues attack devoid of any spark

 

Patience was what Sam Allardyce had pleaded on Yannick Bolasie’s behalf but the latter failed to change any minds with his performance against Swansea.

On the occasions where the DR Congo international was able to push forward, he constantly ran into walls; offering few chances for Cenk Tosun to feed off.

Theo Walcott on the opposing flank was hardly inspiring either and without support from either, Tosun cut an increasingly frustrated figure up front.

The striker fought well in his own right but was left increasingly isolated by a Blues attack which continues to offer him precious little outlet.

Where does Rooney’s future lie?

 

Wayne Rooney could be forgiven for wondering where he actually features in Allardyce’s Everton plans amid a series of confusing comments this week.

His manager has asked him to attack more while simultaneously being suited to dropping deeper. Little wonder, then, that the 32-year-old looks lost in this team.

At the Liberty Stadium, Rooney was handed a more prominent role behind Tosun to offer his creativity in opening up a stubborn Swansea defence.

As the game progressed, however, he found himself gradually shifting; on occasion into right-back and was the closest player to Jordan Pickford at one point.

Rooney may not be the force that he once was since rejoining Everton but still provides an energy and passion to a side where it is generally lacking.

Time for youth to form squad’s core

 

Being a goalkeeper dressed from head to toe in luminous orange is not the only reason why Pickford continues to stand out in this Everton team.

He offers a security in goal that will clearly have a long career at this level.

It may be time for Allardyce, or whoever succeeds him, to start making this strong youth element the core of Goodison Park’s current ageing squad.

Beni Baningime looked bright and aimed to open the play up with his limited contributions as a substitute in his eighth league outing of the season.

He and Pickford are not alone, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin another prospect who has shown this season he is able to offer options at this high level.

Everton’s challenge is be keeping these players happy with the right opportunities for progression so as to not leaving looking for alternatives.

Ademola Lookman’s January move to RB Leipzig on loan springs to mind.

Allardyce suggests he is in planning for next season was looking for better ‘quality rather than quantity’ – his answer may already be on Everton’s books.

…and a change of direction?

 

On and off the pitch, Everton are facing a potential summer of upheaval.

Rumoured talks with PSV Eindhoven’s sporting director Marcel Brands shows a wish to establish a philosophy not necessarily in-keeping with the current manager.

Although Allardyce still buoyantly talks of planning ahead, the question for the club will be whether to stick with a safe but uninspiring pair of hands that he offers.

A likely change in direction with all the risks and upheaval that will bring could make for an interesting summer ahead.