Everton extended their unbeaten run to a ninth game in an otherwise forgettable encounter at West Ham.

Ronald Koeman’s side lacked urgency in their attempts to convert possession into chances with the hosts growing into proceedings at the London Stadium.

The introductions of Ademola Lookman and Gareth Barry gave the Blues a better balance but the second half fared little better in the way of quality for either side.

Here were the key talking points from the capital:

Blues at odds with Koemans’s vow

 

If, as Ronald Koeman stated this week, Everton’s objective is to finish above both Manchester United and Arsenal then clearly his players did not receive the memo.

Their performance on a first visit to the London Stadium came across as though there was very little attaintment left to play in the final weeks of the season.

Perhaps the Dutchman made the wrong selection, having hauled off Tom Davies and Idrissa Gueye at the interval after a very poor collective 45-minute showing.

But while the second half could be seen as an improvement, the Blues did relatively little to demonstrate their genuine Europa League credentials.

Against a West Ham side that has struggled to adapt to life in a new home this season, travelling Evertonians will see this as two points needlessly dropped.

If Goodison Park is to return to the continental stage, Koeman’s side will need more than Arsenal’s mix of good grace and poor form to make it happen.

Who steps into the Barkley role?

 

Ross Barkley’s inconsistency this season is known all too well by those that follow Everton at and away from Goodison.

But a greater worry is that his team has yet to find someone who can stand up and be counted when the midfielder has an occasional off-day.

Without him, the link between midfield and attack was missing as Romelu Lukaku looked stranded up-field and barely touched the ball for large parts.

Everton also failed to get push Leighton Baines and Mason Holgate high enough up the pitch to add support or width to their attempts at creative play.

It’s clear that Barkley’s influence makes the team tick, but the onus cannot rest solely on the England international exceeding realistic expectations of him.

Some has to eventually seize the initiative and make things happen.

Lookman proves a rare bright spot

 

Easily the brightest performer in a yellow shirt, Ademola Lookman’s second half performance will give further encouragement for the future of Everton.

Back in his native London, the winger provided a delivery that had been absent from Koeman’s side throughout an insipid opening 45 minutes in the capital.

He was eager to show for the ball, dribbled well and was responsible for Everton’s only real chance, in which his shot from the edge of the box was just over West Ham’s crossbar.

The only regret is that his introduction did not have a greater impact sooner given how changing the visitors’ shape and offering some much-needed width.

Is this the end for Robles?

 

Addressing a squad depth deficiency will be high on Ronald Koeman’s list of priorities this summer but he remains well-stocked in at least one position.

His decision to drop Joel Robles following noticeably poor form in recent weeks allowed Maarten Stekelenburg to make a first appearance since mid-December.

The Spaniard’s journey from backbench to frontline came full circle with last weekend’s rashly conceded penalty against Burnley potentially ending his season.

In truth Stekelenburg had little to trouble him at the former Olympic Stadium but the decision to drop Robles may now have implications for his long-term future.