Everton began Duncan Ferguson’s second spell as caretaker with a defeat.
Emiliano Buendia settled Saturday’s game against Aston Villa late into the first half when he rose to meet Lucas Digne’s cross with a looping header.
Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:
Blues aren’t too good to go down
Everton’s downfall this season has been largely mitigated by the fact that there was at least four Premier League clubs who were worse than them.
That, however, is increasingly no longer the case with those scrapping for their top-flight survival picking up victories at the worst possible time.
Wins for Norwich City and Newcastle United this weekend have ensured the gap between the Blues and the relegation zone is worryingly paper-thin.
Conversely, it is difficult to see where Duncan Ferguson’s side will pick up their next points from in a daunting run over their remaining 18 fixtures.
That includes a double-header against the Magpies, now occupying the final relegation spot, as well as their rescheduled trip to bottom team Burnley.
In that trio of games, the current four-point cushion could all but evaporate.
Contrary to the old cliche, no team is ‘too good to go down’ and make no mistake, Everton’s ever-present Premier League status is firmly at risk.
Big Dunc can’t perform miracles
Ferguson already knows the script as Everton’s caretaker manager.
It was just over two years ago that the 50-year-old answered the call of duty and produced an impressive four-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Going back to the basics in late 2019 served Ferguson incredibly well during that initial short spell between the tenures of Marco Silva and Carlo Ancelotti.
A second time out, the Goodison Park icon followed that same playbook despite failing to end an abject run of one win in their last 14 league games.
Setting up in a 4-4-2 against a rejuvenated Aston Villa produced levels of organisation and discipline that had been sorely lacking under Rafael Benitez.
But Ferguson’s plans were still hamstrung by a squad devoid of taking their chances in the final third despite creating more than under his predecessor.
His Midas touch can only stretch so far with players whose confidence was sapped by the short-lived yet brutalising nature of Benitez’s 200-day spell.
Moshiri’s words won’t cut it with fans
Farhad Moshiri’s open letter on Friday morning was the first official dialogue with supporters from the majority shareholder for a considerable number of years.
Yet words alone will not cut it for Everton’s absentee overlord as fans continue to demand more affirmative action from him following a tumultuous campaign.
Several hundred stayed behind after this game to stage a sit-in demonstration while chairman Bill Kenwright was scrutinised as he prepared to leave Goodison.
The current atmosphere at the Grand Old Lady is entirely of Moshiri’s making, with his lack of regular communication and wayward decisions going hand in hand.
Kia Joorabchian’s presence in the directors’ box did little to allay fears about the club’s direction amid ongoing claims the super-agent is advising his compatriot.
Until Moshiri backs up his words with actions, a growing number of concerned Evertonians will continue to question the minutiae around their lifeblood.