PUNDITS have slammed Cherries following their abject performance in defeat at Everton.

The score-line of 3-0 arguably flattered Andoni Iraola’s men, who were well beaten on Merseyside.

First-half goals from James Garner and Jack Harrison were added to on the hour mark by Abdoulaye Doucoure, as Sean Dyche’s Toffees arrested a run of four straight home losses.

Discussing the game in their roles as pundits on BBC’s Match of the Day, former England internationals Danny Murphy and Ian Wright were scathing in their assessment of Cherries.

Murphy said: “This was a Bournemouth side managed by a manager who you could tell had never been to Goodison before. They weren’t ready for what was coming, the tenacity.

“It was naïve from so many aspects, although the players have to take some responsibility. Everton were bang at it, every one of them.

“Early in the game Everton win it back after a terrible slip (by Illia Zabarnyi).

“Bournemouth’s players are saying to their keeper to go long, we’re getting done, we keep losing the ball. The keeper doesn’t hear them or doesn’t listen and keeps playing out.

“They (Everton) get that breathing space of a second goal by Bournemouth having players who aren’t communicating, have got no confidence and are all over the place.

“Absolutely awful goalkeeping and awful defending.”

He continued: “I don’t know what the manager said at half-time, but it didn’t seem to have any impact because they start playing out again, they lose the ball from an Everton side that are dogged and tenacious.”

Cherries boss Iraola and full-back Adam Smith were unhappy the latter did not receive a free-kick having gone down under Amadou Onana’s challenge, in the build-up to Doucoure’s strike.

Assessing the goal, Murphy said: “Onana, a great tackle and this is the goal that kills the game.

“A result that matched the performance for Everton. In the final third it was 10 possessions won to Bournemouth’s two.”

Put to him Cherries have not made any progress since replacing Gary O’Neil as boss with Iraola, Wright said: “When you look at the new signings, I think it’s nine, there’s a couple of defenders in there, but someone like Tyler Adams, I’m hearing he might have to have another operation.

"But 18 goals conceded in eight games.

“Alex Scott hasn’t played a minute yet.

“It’s not looking good. They’ve failed to win any of their first eight (Premier League) games for the first time in their history. They’ve spent a lot of money.

“From the fans’ point of view, there’s not much you can look at and hang your hat on, especially when you look at what Danny has just gone through there.

"It’s quite worrying for them.”