Everton’s trophy drought goes on as Bournemouth ensure Goodison won’t get golden goodbye

EVERTON 0-2 BOURNEMOUTH: David Moyes won’t be taking Everton to Wembley again this season as the Toffees’ ensured that their trophy drought will stretch into 31 years

David Moyes will not get a dream return to Wembley with Everton this season – instead his side got a reality check.

The Toffees’ wait for a trophy will tick over to at least 31 years after the 1995 FA Cup winners were dumped out by Bournemouth. There will be no silverware at the end of the season in which they wave goodbye to Goodison Park. This was an earlier than wished farewell to FA Cup games at this famous old ground.

But it was also a reminder for the Blues that they still have improvements to make after they failed to carry over their form over to the FA Cup from three wins on the trot in the Premier League.

Moyes is steering Everton towards safety after those victories but their first-half display here was a reminder they can’t let standards slip. James Tarkowski delivered a shocking performance in the opening 45 minutes.

There was at least a spirited second-half showing when they hit the woodwork three times which will give encouragement, especially against such a good side. Bournemouth are high fliers in the Premier League this season and can now start to wonder if they can add some silverware to what is turning out to be a seriously impressive campaign.

They were gifted a lead when Tarkowski upended the impressive Antoine Semenyo in the box for a penalty. VAR may have ruled the Bournemouth winger offside but without it here, the spot kick stood and Semenyo smashed it home in the 23rd minute.

The second came from Daniel Jebbison. The Canadian arrived in England back in 2020 and scored his first senior goal on this ground in May 2021 for Sheffield United. Jebbison was only recalled from a loan spell at Watford last month after injuries to Evanilson and Enes Unal up top for the Cherries. But now he’s scored in both rounds of the Cup after he also netted against West Brom.

This was a scrappy, scruffy goal with Tarkowski again almost assisting for the visitors. The Everton defender pinged the ball out to Marcus Tavernier and the resulting cross led to a scramble and Jebbison’s strike coming back off Jordan Pickford to hit him and find its way over the line just before the break.

Everton will wonder how they didn’t get back in the tie after hitting the woodwork three times. First it was January signing Charly Alcaraz from a free-kick soon after he emerged from the subs bench for his debut.

Then Jake O’Brien headed a Jack Harrison cross off the post from point-blank range. While another cross from Harrison beat everyone including Bournemouth keeper Kepa but also struck the woodwork.

Amid all that, Semenyo cleared one off the line to prove effective at both ends. Moyes rolled the dice with defender Michael Keane thrown up top late on but it was a gamble which did not pay off.

Everton exited the Cup and the next time they play at home in this competition will be at Bramley Moore Dock.

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