Everton fans won't accept run of form under Ronald Koeman for very long, says Graeme Souness after home hammering by Arsenal leaves Toffees in Premier League's bottom three

  • Arsenal romped to a 5-2 victory over Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday 
  • The result means Everton drop into the Premier League relegation places 
  • Graeme Souness said Ronald Koeman looked like he was hurting after the game 

Graeme Souness says Everton fans will quickly run out of patience with Ronald Koeman after a home hammering by Arsenal left the Toffees in the Premier League relegation zone. 

Despite taking the lead through Wayne Rooney at Goodison Park, the home side were thoroughly outplayed and, after being reduced to 10 men following the sending-off of Idrissa Gueye, capitulated in the second half.

The defeat leaves Everton with eight points from their nine matches so far this term and manager Koeman, who spent more than £150million on new players in the summer, under increasing pressure. 

Evertonians won't accept their form under Ronald Koeman for long, Graeme Souness says

Evertonians won't accept their form under Ronald Koeman for long, Graeme Souness says

Koeman watched his Toffees team slip to a 5-2 home defeat by Arsenal on Sunday

Koeman watched his Toffees team slip to a 5-2 home defeat by Arsenal on Sunday

'I didn't see a calm manager. I saw a man who was hurting badly. I've been in that situation when it's not going well,' Souness told Sky Sports after watching Koeman's post-match interview.


'He's been around a long time and been successful. He'll be doing things he knows, that are tried and tested and get results, and for whatever reason it's not working right now.

'His problem is he spent a lot of money in the summer or the club spent a lot of money in the summer, the expectation level went through the roof. 

'It's not about having a better season than last, it's about getting into the top four. That's not going to happen

Souness said he saw a man who was hurting after watching Koeman's post-match interview

Souness said he saw a man who was hurting after watching Koeman's post-match interview

'I've been on Merseyside; they're a passionate lot of supporters, the Evertonians. They won't like it and won't accept it for very long.'

Thierry Henry felt sympathy for Koeman but also accepted that the Dutchman could be running out of time to turn things around at Goodison. 

'You don't want to see a manager leaving his position. He has to come and front for everyone there,' said Henry.

'Is it too late? Obviously he's going to tell you it's not. Is the board going to believe it?

'He's been in some really bad runs before that he's been able to turn around.'

Koeman dishes out instructions to his players during the defeat at Goodison Park

Koeman dishes out instructions to his players during the defeat at Goodison Park