Everton suffered a fourth straight Premier League defeat on Sunday afternoon as they went down 1-0 at home to Wolves.
The Blues struggled to gather any kind of momentum in the first half of the match due to countless stoppages in play and were unable to experience a change in fortunes after the restart.
This loss left those inside Goodison Park despondent at the full-time whistle, questioning where a next win may come from.
ANALYSIS: Frank Lampard has Richarlison concern as Allan dilemma emerges
VERDICT: What happened at final whistle shows terrifying reality of Everton situation
It was not only the home supporters left in shock by this display, however.
The national media were also taken aback by the Blues' lack of quality and delivered a damning assessment of their current position.
'Precious little inclination to save themselves'
Richard Jolly of the Guardian wrote :
"Everton’s position grows ever more precarious. Ever-present in the top flight since 1954, now only goal difference separates them from the bottom three.
"They were imperilled by a fourth consecutive league defeat and by results elsewhere. Relying on others to save them seems a flawed theory when they showed precious little inclination to save themselves.
"They trusted that Goodison Park would make a difference. Instead a Merseysider did: Conor Coady, a former Liverpool player and lifelong fan, sealed Wolves’ first double over Everton since 1972-73."
'If they stay up, it looks like being by default'
Chris Bascombe of the Daily Telegraph wrote :
"Every week since his Everton appointment Frank Lampard has been asked if the job is harder than he anticipated. Every week he has said no. Every week another calamity has befallen the club to, at least, make him reconsider what he has taken on.
"Now, the grim possibility of Everton’s relegation has never looked closer after Conor Coady, a boyhood Liverpool supporter and former Liverpool defender, headed a 49th-minute winner at Goodison Park.
"The most fatalistic Evertonian would not have imagined this fixture going any other way. Only goal difference separates Everton from third-bottom Watford now. They have gone four consecutive league games without a goal, have no settled starting XI or formation, and have lost 15 of their past 19 Premier League games. If they stay up, it looks like being by default."
'A barrage of vitriol and invective initially came their way'
Paul Joyce of the Times wrote :
"As soon as the final whistle was blown, Anthony Gordon slumped to the turf and sat forlornly. A few yards away, Richarlison was sprawled out on his back while Jordan Pickford, head bowed and on his haunches, was a picture of misery.
"Frank Lampard would gather his dishevelled, bedraggled bunch together and lead them over towards those supporters who had remained on the Gwladys Street end. A barrage of vitriol and invective initially came their way.
"Everton are feeble in everything they attempt. They cannot keep clean sheets, have run aground creatively — they are now without a goal in four Premier League matches — and remain consumed by a fragility that prevents players from converting desire into belief. It is a desperate cocktail, one that reeks of relegation."
'A haunting experience'
Dominic King of the Daily Mail wrote :
"If Evertonians have lost their fight and belief, there is no more damning indictment of their ramshackle team. These fans are some of the most loyal and passionate in the business but, above all, they are knowledgeable. They know Everton are in freefall and don’t seem to have a parachute.
"Wolves – a proper, honest team for whom Ruben Neves and Raul Jimenez excelled – took full advantage of Everton’s plight, bolstering their hopes of reaching Europe thanks to a header from captain Conor Coady early in the second half.
"The scoreline was slender but, for all that Frank Lampard argued otherwise, there was a gulf in class between these clubs. Wolves aren’t the best team in the Premier League but they have been well coached all season, have determined players and were far too savvy for their hosts.
"Those long familiar with this club were startled by what they had seen so it was little wonder Lampard – only 42 days in charge – looked like he had seen a ghost. This was a haunting experience. Thing is, in this form, it may become even scarier."
