What Armando Broja was reduced to highlighted major Everton problem that needs addressing

Armando Broja made his first Everton start against Nottingham Forest on Sunday

There was just over half-an-hour gone when Armando Broja had clearly had enough. His Everton side were already trailing to Chris Wood’s opener when he picked up the ball in the middle of the Nottingham Forest half.

What happened next summed up his side’s afternoon. After turning and passing the ball out wide to Vitalii Mykolenko, Broja sprinted into the box before getting on the end of his team-mate’s cross.

His header, however, was way off target and went well wide. But this moment was a sign of things to come for Blues supporters.

Morgan Gibbs-White would go on to add a second that sealed all three points for his side in the second-half. The victory ensured Forest continued their remarkable ascent under Nuno Espirito Santo.

But for Everton, the defeat leaves them just two points above the drop zone. And worse still, it once again laid bare their problems in front of goal.

Sean Dyche’s side have only managed to score 15 times in the league so far this season. Only Southampton have a worse record in the Premier League.

It wasn’t until Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s tame header in the dying stages that Matz Sels was properly called into action. Two shots on target all afternoon spoke volumes.

In truth, Everton looked bereft of ideas going forward throughout the 90 minutes against Forest. It was a familiar story for Blues supporters, who were forced to endure a similar scenario against Brentford recently. If anything, what occurred was just all too predictable.

Broja was starting his game for Everton since joining on loan from Chelsea on deadline day. Speaking afterwards, he pledged to do everything he can to end his side’s scoring problems.

“For me, every game I want to do my best. I want to help out the team as best I can,” he said. “If that's goals, if that's with assists, if that's with holding up the ball, if that's running in behind, running the channels, getting on the ball, creating something.

“I always want to show something. Today I wouldn't say was one of my best games, but definitely have improved on it, but it was a frustrating afternoon for us all. But for sure I want to give everything and do better.”

And while you cannot knock the attitude of the Albania international, the reality is that he simply can’t do everything by himself. You can't help but feel Broja was forced to endure the same pain and frustration that Calvert-Lewin and Beto have felt this season.

Ultimately, he was left feeding off scraps. Sean Dyche’s side might have shown themselves to be hard-working and resilient in recent weeks, but creative they are not.

So much so that even if the Blues had the likes of Ronaldo, Filippo Inzaghi or Erling Haaland up top, they would still struggle to score. Watching at times on Sunday you wondered what the plan was to score a goal.

Iliman Ndiaye has impressed this season, but his end product in front of goal leaves a lot to be desired. An example being the chance he missed a couple of minutes into Sunday’s game.

But the fact that Broja, just over half-an-hour into this first start for the club, felt he needed to go hunting for the ball to give himself the best possible chance of an opening is not a good look.

It is an old saying, but it is also so true: goals win games. And Everton haven't scored enough so far this season, which is why they find themselves in the position they do.