For the vast majority of Everton fans, yesterday was highly enjoyable. The Toffees saw their side take a huge point away from Stamford Bridge after showing their mettle in a 0-0 draw. However, it wasn’t all plain-sailing and they got off to an awful start before the game had even started, with plenty of Evertonians slating Theo Walcott when he was named in the starting eleven.
| Here it is, Blues! Your starting XI for today’s #EFCawayday…
Change.
Full debut for Yerry Mina! pic.twitter.com/ioV6WJekcS— Everton (@Everton) 11 November 2018
Understandably, most of the reaction from the Everton fans to the team news was directed at Yerry Mina. The Colombian centre-back stepped in for his full debut in place of Kurt Zouma, who missed out due to the Premier League’s ruling that a loanee can’t face their parent club. However, that doesn’t mean the fans didn’t acknowledge Walcott as they aimed abuse in the ex-Arsenal man’s direction.
Walcott has almost been an Everton player for a full year now and whilst he was a hit and miss figure at Arsenal, he’s’ been unable to become anything other than that at Goodison Park. It doesn’t help that the winger was signed by Sam Allardyce but now that Big Sam has gone it’s time for Walcott to step up and so far he hasn’t done that, with mediocre performance after mediocre performance only giving the fans a platform to slate him. Once again he wasn’t amazing yesterday and the fans early worries over him were justified.
You can read what The Toffees had to say early on about Walcott’s inclusion here:
Would prefer big Cenk up front and richarlison on the left replacing walcott and Bernard on the right
— kovic (@besiktaslenmq) November 11, 2018
Why does Walcott look like he's getting his school picture taken? pic.twitter.com/iLLOfzoImF
— Parker (@Parkersafc) November 11, 2018
Would of started lookman over walcott
— Johnny cal (@johnocallagha11) November 11, 2018
would rather start lookman instead of Walcott other then that best it could be #CHEEVE
— Lee Saunders (@WelshToffee70) 11 November 2018
How does Walcott keep his place? The last 3 games I've seen him, bottle tackles, miss chances including an open goal and go missing at Old Trafford! Not for me to say, but he's a waste of shirt. #provemewrong #coyb
— Saint Toffee (@saint_toffee) November 11, 2018
Just play @Alookman_ over Walcott please
— KIERAN (@kieran_s4) 11 November 2018
He has to drop Walcott!
— Michael (@Michael_Gill01) November 11, 2018
Seeing Walcott starting didn’t fill the fans with confidence early on, but after the game, it was quickly forgotten as the Toffees celebrated a huge point on the road.
