West Ham defeat a stark reminder of big problem that Everton already knew about

The unblemished Goodison Park copybook is no more.

Let's be honest, it was going to come to an end at some point.

Indeed, Everton’s first home defeat of the season to West Ham was a tight affair. A stalemate would have been a fair result.

Yet it was settled by Angelo Ogbonna's 74th-minute header, with the Hammers taking all three points back to the capital.

So much of the build-up to the match was dominated by Everton's injury situation.

The Toffees have their well-documented problems in their treatment room - primarily at the top end of the pitch.

For a fifth successive game, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were absent.

In general, Rafa Benitez's side have coped well without the talismanic pair. Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend, in particular, have stepped up to the goalscoring mantle.

But the loss to West Ham slammed home how much of a miss Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin are.

Salomon Rondon has deputised in their absence. He's featured significantly more than both he and Benitez would have expected following his summer transfer deadline day arrival.

Rondon lacked match fitness when he joined from Chinese outfit Dalian. The plan would have been to bring him on as an impact substitute and serve in a support-act role to Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin while building fitness in the background.

Instead, he's been forced to be a regular - and has generally struggled.

Evertonians are a patient bunch but frustration in the stands is starting to grow towards Rondon.

His performance against West Ham left plenty of supporters disappointed.

Granted, there were some bright moments of hold-up play and glimpses of his potential.

Yet, on the flip side, there were a number of heavy touches, profligacy on the ball and his goalscoring threat was scant. Groans of frustration began to get louder after each error.

No doubt, Benitez is disappointed fans have yet to see the best of the Venezuela international. He'll still be confident that Rondon can hit the heights he did when working together at St James' Park.

It's still early days, after all, and he took a similar time to acclimatise for Newcastle. Don't write off Rondon just yet.

But, for now, Everton will be desperate to get their main front duo back.

Richarlison's still suffering the effects of a heavy James Tarkowski challenge that damaged his knee in the 3-1 win over Burnley last month.

On social media, the Brazilian has posted videos of himself back training and will hope to be close to a return.

Heavily linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, it’s widely expected that this will be his final season on Merseyside.

He's a regular for Brazil and would make a difference in almost every side in the world, never mind an Everton squad where there is a dearth of stardust and swashbuckle.

Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, has been hampered by a quad problem for the past six games.

Having scored three goals in as many outings before his setback, he's not just a potent attacking threat but a focal point.

However, he’s set to return after Richarlison, with Benitez still unsure when he might be back available.

With the Blues not in action for another six days when they face Watford, it gives them a decent period to at least work Richarlison back to full fitness.

He - and Calvert Lewin- are badly needed if Everton are to maintain their European football challenge.