If ever a game could represent a microcosm of Everton’s entire season, this FA Cup semi-final defeat was it.
Woeful and disjointed to begin, followed by slow signs of growth and then, sucker-punched at the death after being lulled into a false sense of security.
The names and protagonists may continue to change, Manchester United and Anthony Martial in this case, but Roberto Martinez remains the common denominator.
For Everton’s beleaguered manager there cannot, nor should be any way back from this.
A rousing second-half fightback at Wembley came too little, too late to save their season. The Catalan has joined a far from illustrious fraternity among his Blues predecessors; he should now follow one of them in discovering his managerial fate in London.
‘Taxi for Roberto’ might not be ringing around Goodison Park next weekend, as it did for Johnny Carey following his own deposition in the capital, but should a beleaguered Martinez survive this autopsy of Everton’s humiliating Wembley exit, banners and pitch-invading supporters are likely be the least of his problems.
During his three years at the helm on Merseyside, the 42-year-old has exposed himself as little more than a one-trick pony and an expert in psychobabble. Piggybacking on the solid foundations left by the man he replaced in David Moyes could only mask the facade for so long.
There was a reason why Martinez was never plumped for the top jobs at Aston Villa and Liverpool. Contrary to what Bill Kenwright would have you believe, the decision to stick around at Wigan Athletic for a further two years was not largely out of personal choice.
Evertonians, especially those 31,606 that made the trip to Wembley, deserve far better than the brand of mid-table mediocrity served up by the supposed future heir to the Barcelona throne in the past two seasons. They have had fewer weeks worse than this one.
Wednesday’s indignant Merseyside derby hammering at the hands of Liverpool was bad enough – but the performance against Louis van Gaal’s side was laboured, predictable and lacked heart until after the half-time interval. Many feared it would come to this.
Typically, Martinez thought otherwise – to the bitter end, he has taken a contrary view to proceedings. A rare acknowledgement of Everton’s paucity came in the aftermath of the midweek horror show at Anfield.
True to form, however, culpability was again conspicuous in its absence – it always is. Whenever Everton have floundered, Martinez continues to point the finger of blame elsewhere. Referees usually bear the brunt but the excuses extend beyond officialdom. He attributed last month’s capitulation at home to West Ham to Romelu Lukaku’s missed penalty.
At Wembley, at the same venue and in the same competition that sealed his audition for the Everton, Martinez ran out of excuses. There is no longer anywhere to hide.
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