Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesSwansea keeper Michel Vorm kept Everton and Victor Anichebe at bay

A resolute Swansea side dented Everton's Champions League hopes Saturday in a 0-0 draw, with the West Brom and Spurs results providing the only solace on a frustrating day.

Hicks: Laudrup matches Moyes in defensive stand

Everton thrive when the visiting team comes to win with their recent home form as evidence. A weakened Everton ran Chelsea close while Manchester United and Spurs left defeated. Benefiting from the extra space, Everton can play their football as they look to break the opposition down. The problems begin when opponents arrive at Goodison intent on earning a point.

Norwich came for a point and left with one while Sunderland and Wigan fell just short. To their credit, Swansea executed a similar plan to perfection. Sharper in possession than the aforementioned sides, the Swans were just as organised in defence. One Michu effort aside, the visitor’s forays forward were sporadic at best with well-drilled players sticking to their task. Although frustrating for the home side, the tactics adopted by Michael Laudrup are testament to the esteem in which teams hold Everton.

Still shorn of the creative talents of Kevin Mirallas, Everton never clicked into gear and numerous attacks crashed against the red wall in front of them. Currently, Everton are too dependent on Leighton Baines, visibly hampered by his ankle injury, and Steven Pienaar. The pair created 11 of Everton’s 16 chances and the rest of the side has to up their game. Leon Osman buzzed in and out of proceeding but there was little in the way of forward movement ahead.

The other missing link was the metronomic presence of Darron Gibson. Sidelined by his troublesome thigh injury, Everton missed the link between defence and midfield; Gibson provides that. Without the attacking platform offered by Gibson, Everton passed without any real tempo or purpose. His replacement, Phil Neville, continues to divide opinion. Offering experience and leadership, Neville falls down on ability but those qualities weigh out for David Moyes as Thomas Hitzlsperger warms the bench in his place.

Short in central areas, Everton also pose more questions than answers in wide areas. In Mirallas’ absence, Steven Naismith has filled the right sided void but he looks lost in the role. Victor Anichebe was found entrusted with the role Saturday and he failed to convince. Drifting infield, as is natural for a forward out of position, he offered no support to the marauding Seamus Coleman. Despite a promising appearance in midweek, Bryan Oviedo found himself overlooked and the decision is sure to baffle many.

At the other end of the pitch, the long-awaited clean sheet was pleasing. With the team’s last clean sheet coming against Swansea in September, Everton would do well to ask the FA to schedule this fixture more often. Since reuniting Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin in defence, the Toffees have begun to look meaner at the back. Coleman's return has aided this and there is a better balance across the back line with Tim Howard inching towards his best after a shaky season.

Overall, this was a frustrating day at the office with the lack of depth starting to tell. Missing the injured players, some who started looked tired. Relying on a small number of players is taking its toll and several need a rest. Unfortunately, Everton cannot afford to do so with fixtures coming thick and fast and numbers thin on the ground.

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