The difficulty with David…

And the part of Moyes that struggles to live up to the own lofty standards he demands came back to bite him, and bite Everton.

Everton were not exactly fortunate to go into half-time at 0-0, but the lack of urgency or tempo to their display should have been the wake-up call needed for Moyes to change things.

Instead, he stuck to his plan, despite Jake O’Brien having yet again been given the run-around by Crysencio Summerville, despite McNeil offering so little support defensively, and despite another lacklustre display from Thierno Barry. Indeed, even Iliman Ndiaye, so often Everton’s spark, failed to deliver.

James Garner was leggy. Idrissa Gueye was not able to disrupt the play, and West Ham got on top. Once again, Everton’s deficiencies defending corners delivered into the six-yard box were exposed, as the pressure finally told.

By the time Moyes turned to his bench — earlier this time, than usual, but it was because he needed to — Everton were chasing a game they should have gone into with full confidence and a thirst to win.

Then again, Everton did get back into it. They did draw themselves level, so for experienced players like Vitaliy Mykolenko and Michael Keane to then lose Jarrod Bowen to a deep cross, and for Callum Wilson to be given the freedom of the penalty area to tap home — well, that responsibility can not all sit at Moyes’ feet.

Moyes is not wrong when he says Everton deserved more out of the last two games. By all rights, the Merseyside derby should have finished level, and so should this West Ham match. Those two points would have kept Everton in prime position to push on for European qualification.

But football doesn’t work like that. Ultimately, Everton lost, and Moyes’ pragmatic approach will be called into question.

All of this has to be taken into perspective. This is a mid-table squad, with some talented players, but in a season in which being a mid-table team, with a bit of stability, comes with opportunity.

Everton are only three points off sixth, but they have let chances pass them by, and while it is not time to give up hope, it does feel as though this was their big chance to keep themselves well and truly in the race.

Moyes won’t change, but really, does he now have any other option than to be more attacking?

Manchester City are up next, but they are just one of four opponents remaining, and there is no need for Everton to fear.

It is time for Moyes to stop being fearful, too.

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