With Josh Maja having just increased Fulham’s lead over Everton to 2-0, James Rodriguez went down under a challenge and reached for his ankle.
Carlo Ancelotti clearly knew the drill already, getting Bernard on quickly to replace his star man. It was a blow for Everton, with Rodriguez exiting the pitch just when he was most needed to help a difficult fightback.
The Toffees couldn’t manage to get back into the game, and saw all three points go home with Fulham.
Immediately, the Colombian media was on the case, with a mix of worry and disappointment. There had been great hopes for James to shine at Everton, and whilst he’s certainly proven to be a good signing so far, the repeat fitness issues are of serious concern.
Marca’s Colombian edition states ‘without a doubt’ Sunday is up there when it comes to picking the player’s worst appearance in an Everton shirt. They give a few reasons for that, and say: ‘The first, that he has just come out of an injury and logically wasn’t at his peak physically. The second, that the rest of his teammates also made possibly their worst game together, so that the Colombian was not found in good positions during the 67 minutes he was on the grass.
‘The third, that he had to move too far from the area to help get the ball, but there he loses effectiveness and brilliance and more when the physical side does not accompany him.’
Ancelotti has been working on trying to get James in peak physical condition and keep him at that level, partly so he does have the energy to take part in the wider game. That looks to be an ongoing battle for Everton this season.
