Everton midfielder Fabian Delph has been criticised by Dave Downie, of The Blue Room podcast (February 24, 32:42), after the club’s 3-2 defeat to Arsenal.

What’s he said?

The Toffees were beaten in a five-goal thriller on Sunday, despite going ahead after less than a minute.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored after less than 40 seconds, though Eddie Nketiah equalised after 27 minutes. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang then scored a brace either side of Richarlison’s strike, ultimately handing Mikel Arteta’s team all three points.

Delph played 82 minutes in north London, earning a WhoScored rating of 6.6, but Downie does not believe he has delivered after arriving from Manchester City in the summer of 2019 on a free transfer.

He said: “This one was seen as relatively risk-free given his price.

"There’s been a great deal of importance at various types of season that has been placed on Delph’s shoulders. He simply hasn't risen to the occasion.

“I don't feel like he's been good enough by any stretch of imagination this season.”

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Should be a leader

Delph arrived as a two-time Premier League winner but he has struggled to make a real impact.

He has made 16 appearances in the league but, per WhoScored, he has averaged a rating of 6.49.

While only three players have a rating over seven – Djibril Sidibe, Lucas Digne, and Richarlison – Delph should be leading the charge.

Instead, he averages just 0.2 shots per game, 0.4 key passes, and 1.6 key passes. His next-highest stat is his fouls, with 1.1 per game, and he simply hasn’t stepped up at Goodison Park.

Perhaps he is simply coasting but one thing is for sure: Downie is spot on when it comes to his performances thus far this season.

Meanwhile, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has posted a message after the club's Arsenal defeat!