Everton were held in a frustrating stalemate with Brentford.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men late in the first half after a VAR review concluded that Christian Norgaard had clattered into Jordan Pickford.
But Sean Dyche’s side failed to punish the Bees, who had failed to pick up any Premier League points away from home this season prior to Saturday.
Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:
Dyche can’t reframe stats argument
‘Stats are not always what you think’ was how Sean Dyche responded to claims that Everton had been afforded the easiest start to the season.
But the former defender is now guilty of using the same approach to support his own arguments after grinding out a forgettable stalemate with Brentford.
One defeat in the last eight games is how Dyche responded to the chorus of boos which greeted Saturday’s final whistle at a rain-lashed Goodison Park.
Reframing of those recent results in that fashion neglects to acknowledge the bigger picture of his side picking up just seven wins in the past 11 months.
Dyche’s side had more than ample opportunity to right that particular wrong against an opponent who played over 50 minutes with a man disadvantage.
That they picked up their first point on the road and clean sheet this season compounded frustrations as the Blues’ fixture list threatens to be most unkind.
None of their upcoming encounters bode well, including the visits from Wolves, now in a more familiar groove, and a high-flying Nottingham Forest.
If results continue to deteriorate, Dyche’s rhetoric will only stretch so far.
Jury out on Blues’ no.10 experiment
Elsewhere, Dyche’s words continue to prove incendiary to Evertonians.
He insisted that there was ‘no evidence’ to indicate that Iliman Ndiaye would be better served in the number 10 position despite regularly cutting inside.
Soon after the Bees saw Christian Norgaard sent off after a VAR review on his collision with Jordan Pickford, however, Dyche decided to test the theory.
The Senegal international swapped roles with Dwight McNeil to finish the first half in the central position so many supporters had craved to see him occupy.
Ndiaye remained there after the interval as he continued to prove Everton’s most creative outlet until his manager shifted again to a two-pronged attack.
Beto’s introduction saw the winger moved back out to the flank, this time occupying the right-hand side as a result of Jesper Lindstrom’s withdrawal.
Dyche and Evertonians remain at odds over whether Ndiaye’s experiment was a success or a work in progress but there were encouraging signs.
Will the cavalry fix goals shortage?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin found himself back under the microscope against Brentford after enduring an eighth successive outing without hitting the target.
It is hardly unchartered territory for the Everton no.9, having endured a 22-game drought at the end of the previous campaign but not for a lack of trying.
His presence was regularly felt in the final third during the opening stages as Dyche’s side started brightly and looked set to punish the west Londoners.
Yet Calvert-Lewin’s inability to find the net may not be as damaging as it proved to be just 12 months prior due to the arrival of the Goodison cavalry.
Dyche’s willingness to harness Beto in regular cameo appearances has helped lighten the load while further reinforcements are set to follow soon.
Youssef Chermiti is making tangible steps following the foot injury which curtailed his promising pre-season and any competitive involvement thus far.
Loanee recruit Armando Broja, similarly, could be soon back in action as he edges nearer a long-awaited Everton debut after shaking an Achilles injury.
It has taken a while but a solution to Dyche’s striking woes is on the horizon.