Danny Murphy was scathing in his assessment of Tim Iroegbunam after Everton’s late collapse against Bournemouth on Saturday, 31 August.
Despite dominating much of the game and taking a 2-0 lead, the Toffees allowed the visitors to score three goals in seven minutes, leaving Goodison Park in shock as Bournemouth walked away with all three points.
Murphy, analysing the match on Match of the Day, didn’t mince his words when highlighting Iroegbunam’s defensive shortcomings during Bournemouth’s dramatic comeback.
“Fatigue kicks in, small errors, lack of communication, lack of desire, lack of energy, whatever it might be. Iroegbunam switches off, he doesn’t go with the runner,” Murphy remarked.
“There’s danger, you’ve got to get back as quick as you can. Iroegbunam again, he gave everything and I think he was completely knackered and he switches off, not good enough I’m afraid.”
The defeat was a bitter pill for Everton fans to swallow, especially after seeing their team in control for most of the match. Sean Dyche’s side looked set to claim a crucial victory, only for everything to unravel in the dying stages.
Once Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth found the back of the net, Everton’s confidence visibly drained, and the outcome seemed inevitable.
The frustration of the defeat was further compounded by missed opportunities to extend the lead earlier in the match.
Both Seamus Coleman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin had clear chances to put the game beyond Bournemouth’s reach, but failed to capitalise. The inability to convert those chances proved costly as Everton’s energy levels dropped in the final minutes.
Bournemouth’s substitutes, on the other hand, injected fresh life into the game, exploiting Everton’s fatigue and turning the match on its head.
It was a harsh reminder of the importance of maintaining focus and energy until the final whistle, especially in the Premier League where the margins between victory and defeat can be razor-thin.
While there were positives to take from the overall performance, the final result leaves Everton at the bottom of the Premier League table, with Dyche’s men now facing an uphill battle to recover from such a demoralising loss. The late collapse will no doubt haunt the team as they look to regroup and find a way forward.