Everton 1-0 Huddersfield Town: Improved

Despite an injury to Leighton Baines and a subsequent red card offense by Lucas Digne, Everton somehow hung onto a 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town. Marco Silva made a rather stunning five changes to his lineup from the loss to Millwall, and for at least the first half, the alterations were effective.

Cenk Tosun and Tom Davies in particular were excellent. Davies made a brilliant run to create Richarlison’s early goal, and Tosun was a terror to the Terriers all night long with his movement and creativity.

It certainly wasn’t all puppies and rainbows, but Everton were helped by how bad of a side Huddersfield are. Andre Gomes and Gylfi Sigurdsson continued their invisible act, and Lucas Digne was forced into a stupid, needless sending off after replacing the injured Baines. The Frenchman lost his man on a ball over the top of the defense, and allowed Adama Diakhaby in alone on Jordan Pickford. Digne had to bring his man down, but as the last man, he was ejected for doing so.

If there was anything good to come from the ejection, it’s that Jordan Pickford began standing on his head like he was playing for England again. Pickford produced several circus saves that enabled Everton to barely secure all three points.

Of course, one of the match’s biggest talking points wasn’t on the pitch. Idrissa Gueye was left out of the 18 entirely, and while Everton referred to the absence as a “minor injury”, I think it’s safe to say we all know better. During the game we heard that PSG had placed another offer for the midfielder, and apparently Arsenal and Manchester United are also sniffing around now.

Despite all of that nonsense, the three points today were vital. It wasn’t a complete performance by any stretch, but it was at least encouraging that the Blues were able to hold onto a lead for 87 minutes plus added time, and to do a large portion of that down a man.

Wolves next. Win more, please.