Everton pressed the self-destruct button on a season that started with so much promise as they collapsed in a game they simply could not afford to be outfought in.
When the final whistle put the travelling Blues out of their misery every single player, and Frank Lampard, went over to the away fans. Six weeks ago when they did this it was to dance in celebration after a win at Southampton. Everything looked so much different then.
This time it was to face frustrated fans who have spent huge sums amid a cost of living crisis, some twice in a week, only to see their heroes capitulate on both occasions. The anger from sections of the support was justified. Lampard acknowledged that himself in the aftermath. There could be few excuses for that display. A mini-season that started with a win in the south coast sunshine ended with a limp display in a crucial game on the same patch of coastline. Make no mistake, Everton have a six week period of reflection and a January transfer window to avoid another relegation battle.
