Everton secured a much needed and yet still unconvincing win over Watford at a tense Goodison Park yesterday. Here’s 4 takeaways from what might be a turning point in Everton’s season.
Guts Won’t Be Enough
Caretaker manager David Unsworth was buoyant after the blues’ 3-2 comeback victory over Watford but the win was hardly convincing. Niasse’s work rate caused a mistake for the first, poor marking from a corner for the 2nd and a lucky (but welcome) penalty gave ‘Rhino’ his 2nd win as Everton manager. A harsh but correct penalty was given against Jose Holebas, after his slip took him crashing into Aaron Lennon in the 89th minute. Leighton Baines penalty sent Goodison into rapture but Everton were unconvincing at best.
https://twitter.com/sportnsdesk/status/927272894761140225
After the game, Unsworth praised the 2nd half performance. “What we gave in the second half was what I would consider an “Everton” performance – full of heart and character and desire” he told the clubs website. “What we did was we kept going and we kept working, kept running and we never gave in.” That message about guts and desire was certainly reinforced by the decision to leave out Mirallas and Schneiderlin. Hard work is never enough but Everton got the luck that has deserted them for the last 20 years. Whilst Baines and Sigurdsson both had good chances from open play, Everton still looked tentative across the pitch. Endeavour and hard work needs to be coupled with skill and organisation for the Toffees to climb the table.
Half Time Blues
Everton had yet another poor start to the 2nd half, conceding a sloppy goal within 40 seconds of the restart. Much like Harry Kane’s goal for Spurs earlier in the season, Everton looked like a teenager who had got out of bed before 11 in the morning. Questions have to be asked of the mentality of the players as they always seem to start the second half sluggishly. The goal we conceded came from a missed challenge from Michael Keane and from that moment, we were exposed. Our concentration and defensive shape seems to have disappeared this season. The next blues manager is going to need to work hard on the organisation of this side.
Comeback kings 👑
Heartbreak for Watford, but what a win for Everton.https://t.co/WBtg0JpNJw #MOTD2 pic.twitter.com/cejYNJyXUs
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 5, 2017
The Invisible Man
Gylfi Sigurdsson again looked lost today and the questions become louder the longer they are unanswered. Whilst he worked hard, the Icelandic international was largely anonymous out on the right. He did, however, have a great chance from a cut back from Oumar Niasse in the 2nd half. Unfortunately for the Blues record signing, he shot straight at the keeper with the goal beckoning. To be fair to the rangy Scandinavian, it would be very difficult for anyone to settle into this Everton side. Just ask Sandro Ramirez or Davy Klaassen (that’s if you ever see them again.)
Everton came from two goals down to win at home in the #PL for only the second time ever and for the first time since May 1994 #EVEWAT pic.twitter.com/DDdchbRls0
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 6, 2017
A lot has been written about the recruitment but it is fair to question what exactly Sigurdsson provides? He isn’t especially quick, he doesn’t generally beat a man and he is yet to score since his debut wonder goal in Split. His indirect free kicks have been dangerous but the only danger his direct free kicks have caused has been to passing pigeons. He is a classic case of the lad who needs a goal. Hopefully it comes soon and we start to see the player who lit up Swansea for the last two seasons.
Getting Ahead
Could have had 2.
The super blues have also had trouble scoring first this season. Wayne Rooney’s goal against Arsenal, City and Stoke have been the only games that we have scored first in this season. This puts added pressure onto an ageing and nervous back 4 who have struggled for consistency in personnel and form. Leighton Baines had a great chance in the first half which last season he would have stuck in the top corner. This time, he tamely side-footed at the keeper. We went into half time nil nil and the rest was history. We did not keep our leads against Arsenal or City but scoring the first is a huge psychological blow. Everton could do with an early goal against Palace to settle the nerves.
Is this a turning point or a false dawn for the Toffees? Have your say in the comments section below.