Tuesday's exit from the EFL Cup at the hands of Championship side Norwich City was a disappointment for Everton. Since replacing Roberto Martinez in June, Ronald Koeman had delivered an almost instantaneous improvement at Goodison Park.
Until that 2-0 loss, Everton had exhibited a freshly competitive edge. They are unbeaten in the Premier League, in which they sit second after five matches with 13 points from five games. But, more importantly, had seemed a world away from the soft underbelly that became ever more exposed during Martinez's three-season regime.
Even while tasting defeat for the first time at the club, Koeman appeared anathema to the Spaniard.