Royal Blue Mersey: All Posts by Kevin DyerIt's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2024-03-11T11:00:00+00:00https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/authors/kevin-dyer/rss2024-03-11T11:00:00+00:002024-03-11T11:00:00+00:00Manchester United 2-0 Everton: Three Takeaways | Predictable Defeat for the Blues
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<img alt="Manchester United v Everton FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3XUVtu44F9NaCYjvxzLWpedtv7I=/0x0:5160x3440/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73197372/2070823191.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><em>Tarkowski puts Everton into an early hole with an rash challenge</em> | Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>A three week break is just what this team needs right now</em></p> <h2 id="tie8by"><strong>Failing to Take Advantage</strong></h2>
<p id="Xz6oSc"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com">Everton</a>’s trip to Old Trafford unfolded in many ways how I’d envisaged it beforehand. It was pleasing to see Sean Dyche adopt what I’d thought would be the correct tactical approach against <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com">Manchester United</a>, straight from the opening whistle. The hosts like to play a possession game out from the back, but can be ponderous and indecisive in their passing and in wanting to take too many touches. This is nothing like the sort of fast, one-touch passing, with the aim to break the opposition high press that Brighton & Hove Albion can perfect, when they are in a good moment.</p>
<p id="H1uiqL">Instead - the Red Devils, perhaps hindered by multiple forced alterations to their back four during the campaign - appeared as if they could be highly vulnerable to an intense, structured press and as the game unfolded this proved to be right on the money. Time and again the hosts coughed the ball up in dangerous areas, only for the Toffees to frustrate in their inability to capitalize. Still, it seemed a matter of time before the visitors scored, so generous were Erik ten Hag’s side.</p>
<p id="BUsToY">As it happened, the Blues would relieve all the early pressure they’d put on United off their own bat. There’d been a couple of warning signs: the team caught up the pitch and forced to scramble as United broke with speed in transition; an unchallenged header straight at Jordan Pickford on the home side’s first corner routine. But the next time the Mancunians broke, Everton blundered disastrously, with the normally solid as a rock James Tarkowski lunging in foolishly on Alejandro Garnacho, to hand over an absolute gift of a penalty.</p>
<p id="NCkybl">Knowing how hard this team finds scoring just one goal, the heart sank a little as the prospect of a vital away win already disappeared over the horizon. Still, there was plenty of the game to play - more than 80 minutes - and the Blues responded with determination to the setback, as United continued to invite disaster with torpid passing in their own half. By the time of Ben Godfrey’s panicked decision to dive in on the rapid Garnacho in the 36th minute, conceding a second penalty kick, Everton had squandered countless promising opportunities.</p>
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<img alt="Manchester United v Everton FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EK0NYShokDmtA0kTEsadYs7U9ZY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25329006/2070817425.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Godfrey takes out Garnacho and it’s game over</em></figcaption>
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<p id="YnPsQi">At 2-0 the game was effectively done as a contest, though the visitors would add another three blocked attempts on goal before the end of the half. The Blues ended up with eleven attempts during the opening 45, with two on target and four blocked, adding up to an xG (Expected Goals) statistic of 1.02; 0.38 of that came from Godfrey’s smothered point-blank effort at bundling the ball over the line in the third minute however, demonstrating the low quality of the rest of the shots. </p>
<p id="mwzIDM">The match proceeded in similar fashion after the interval, with the Toffees generating another 12 attempts, four accurate, six blocked for an xG of 0.60. All too often players took an unnecessary touch, making it easier for a United defender to interpose his body, fired off a wild shot when a pass may have presented the better option, or hit the ball straight at the goalkeeper. Many times moves broke down due to overhit passes or badly skewed crosses. Pickford pulled off a couple of good stops to theoretically keep his team in the game, but in reality, on this form they could be playing now and still not have beaten Andre Onana.</p>
<h2 id="79LOIy"><strong>Is There a Solution?</strong></h2>
<p id="XMNtA2">Maddeningly, all the old problems for Dyche’s side in the final third persist and it’s hard to see where this all ends. As I’ve pointed out in a previous article, this massive underperformance in xG is not a new phenomenon, but extends throughout Dyche’s time at the club. Partly, it is a product of the poor standard of attackers available to Everton. A element can be attributed to the style of football, which relies on dead-ball hurly-burly and rapid exploitation of turnovers in possession in the opposition half.</p>
<p id="UR80z8">The former is a chaotic situation, emphasising ruggedness and bravery in attacking a corner or free kick and the team has embraced this with great success, scoring 15 goals this season, an excellent achievement. The latter requires good decision-making, technical qualities and composure in the final third and in this the squad is sadly lacking, registering only one strike from a counterattacking movement during the whole league campaign.</p>
<p id="znDiYu">The other major roadmap to scoring goals comes from general play and there’s rarely been any evidence that Everton are capable of this, either due to innate quality issues, or due to a lack of focus on this part of the game, in training. There’s not much Dyche and his coaching staff can do about a lack of attributes in the players themselves, but they could make improvements to how the side work in possession, in build-up. The team have three weeks off before they play again, which is surely enough time to work on new things?</p>
<p id="lYgC39">I don’t see it happening, however. It would require a major adjustment to the team’s style of play, something the manager has worked on for more than 13 months - and perfected long before arriving on Merseyside. He believes in his methods and there are both strengths and weaknesses in this. I’m certain Dyche is fully aware of and accepts the trade-offs. This leaves just one solution: working on transition movements and sharpness and this should be something which he can improve. </p>
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<img alt="Manchester United v Everton FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lHtt6CPW8SL-v3OIFG7wKOYgdpM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25329009/2070823740.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>McNeil offers a threat and Dyche has to get him firing again</em></figcaption>
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<p id="CE5yjF">Dwight McNeil and Abdoulaye Doucoure combined for ten goals last season after the ex-Burnley boss arrived, over less than half a season. The Malian scored six this term in 13 outings before succumbing to injury. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been a proven threat in the past and is still fundamentally the same player who scored 29 non-penalty goals across two seasons under Carlo Ancelotti. Jack Harrison averaged seven strikes per season in the Premier League when at <a href="https://throughitalltogether.sbnation.com">Leeds United</a>. Arnaut Danjuma, who will be fit again for the resumption of the campaign and <em>has</em> to be utilized, hit ten in La Liga for <a href="https://www.villarrealusa.com/">Villarreal</a> in 2021-22 and six in their <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> that term, including against <a href="https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com">Bayern Munich</a>, Atalanta and <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com">Juventus</a>.</p>
<p id="RUBksj">This squad has been sadly depleted over the past few years, losing an estimated €178m in market value between October 15th 2020 and now, according to <a href="http://transfermarkt.com"><em><strong>transfermarkt.com</strong></em></a>, more than 34% of its value. That’s just a broad assessment of players worth, over the entire squad, but serves as an indicator as to how far Everton have slipped on the pitch over that time, something that’s been confirmed by anyone watching the team. But there are still goals in the side. It’s up to Dyche to find a way to unlock them.</p>
<h2 id="LmHsY7"><strong>What’s Up With the Right?</strong></h2>
<p id="mhgYMC">It should come as no shock to anyone that Everton are an unbalanced side, particularly when it comes to wing options. All of the current senior wide players in the team favour the left flank - with the exception of Ashley Young, who is probably not capable of starting that high up the pitch any more at his advanced age. Harrison, as the most adaptable of the three (him, McNeil and Danjuma) has been shoehorned in on the right by default. He’s provided an industrious presence, but plays as an inverted winger and lacks the pace to attack a fullback on the outside.</p>
<p id="eRfn5g">He’s taking a lot of hits from elements of the fanbase currently, some of which is fair criticism, some overly harsh. The 27-year-old was out for almost three months over the summer with a hip injury, which required surgery, ensuring he enjoyed no preseason and was thrust immediately into the breach as soon as he was physically capable, at the end of September. Since he’s appeared in all 28 matches the team has played, with 26 starts: a total of 2,221 minutes across all competitions. Only once has he come off before the hour mark.</p>
<p id="XbjZ9O">That is a lot of football and Dyche’s physical demands on his players ensures that Harrison has put in a huge amount of running and defensive covering, in addition to his main role, which is to contribute goals and assists. On top of a pretty serious injury and no preseason it’s no wonder the ex-Leeds man appears jaded, as are many of his teammates. But the full back situation is exacerbating the problem. Harrison likes to drift inside onto his left foot and requires someone with a little pace to overlap on the outside and who is capable of putting in a strong right-footed cross.</p>
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<img alt="FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-EVERTON" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wnuV60x83GzYYF-4b_QZdz4wYmg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25329002/2062806285.jpg">
<cite>Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Harrison busts a gut getting back to stop a Marcus Rashford shot</em></figcaption>
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<p id="VL0Qxj">That man is not Godfrey. </p>
<p id="NYuJJU">He has the speed and the energy, but is sadly lost when he crosses the halfway line - as could be expected for a career centre back. He was tidy enough on the ball on Saturday, but offers zero threat and United quickly realized that, allowing the defender as much space as he wanted in wide areas. His deliveries from the flank were dreadful, either hitting the first man, put into areas where there were no Everton players, or sent fluttering off harmlessly. In theory, Godfrey offers defensive stability, but he’s now been at least partly responsible for the side conceding three goals in as many games.</p>
<p id="BNhDV5">Godfrey has now started seven consecutive games at right back. Dyche had three players sat on the bench for the full 90, two of whom are specialists in the position and another - in Young - who has played it a lot more than the former Norwich man. Quite what the manager was seeing in Godfrey’s offensive performance at the weekend, to warrant leaving him on for the duration with Everton trailing by two goals, is a mystery. It has to end now, as this persistence is impacting Harrison and killing the team’s production on the right flank.</p>
<p id="u6opde"><em>Statistics provided courtesy of </em><a href="http://transfermarkt.com"><em><strong>transfermarkt.com</strong></em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://fotmob.com"><em><strong>fotmob.com</strong></em></a><em> </em></p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2024/3/11/24096701/manchester-united-2-0-everton-three-takeaways-tactical-analysis-penalties-portugal-trip-breakKevin Dyer2024-03-09T06:51:46+00:002024-03-09T06:51:46+00:00Everton at Man Utd: Opposition Analysis | Time for the Blues to Start Taking Their Chances
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<img alt="Everton FC v Manchester United- Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gbVt9jkUWPpFXkql_LUUVL7mb2M=/0x0:3439x2293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73193585/1814966633.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><em>The Toffees have to take their chances today, unlike November</em></figcaption>
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<p><em>The winless run may go on for a bit longer but the Toffees must be ruthless in front of goal</em></p> <p id="B54u3m">Last weekend’s outing for the Blues, a 3-1 loss to West Ham United at Goodison Park, was a tough one to take. <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com">Everton</a> blew a lead, missed the first penalty awarded to the team this term and managed to ship two goals in added time; quite an achievement. That the hosts generally played well and dominated much of the second half made what ended up as the club’s tenth Premier League game without a win especially galling. </p>
<p id="WURoMS">The Toffees sit in 16th position in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone, having played a fixture more than 18th-placed Luton Town. There's no guarantee that the club won’t be hit with a second points deduction for financial breaches before the campaign is concluded, so the longer this winless run drags on the more pressure will be heaped on both players and fans.</p>
<p id="BjoTpr">Next up for the Blues as they seek to inject some momentum into proceedings is a visit to Old Trafford, to face <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com">Manchester United</a>.</p>
<h2 id="pVFlTd"><strong>Form</strong></h2>
<p id="DwMKAT">In his inaugural season in charge at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag finished third, building an apparently solid platform from which to progress further. The club spent big in the summer, to the tune of €147m net, making major signings in the promising young Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund (€74m), Chelsea star Mason Mount (€64m) and Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana (€50m), along with paying <a href="https://www.violanation.com">Fiorentina</a> a hefty €9m loan fee for defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and signing veteran former Red Devil Jonny Evans on a free transfer.</p>
<p id="d3tLO1">Out were long-time goalkeeper David de Gea - still unsigned nine months on after the end of his United contract - and midfield stalwart Fred, winger Anthony Elanga, fullback Alex Telles and Dean Henderson. One-time €38m centre back signing Eric Baily left on a free transfer. </p>
<p id="7JSCLb">The Red Devils lost four of their opening seven league matches and although they recovered somewhat in the autumn, were dumped out of the Carabao Cup 3-0 at home to <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com">Newcastle United</a> and saw their <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> campaign falter right from the off, exiting Europe entirely by finishing bottom of their group. The club’s domestic woes continued heading toward the end of the year, the odd success more than offset by regular defeats.</p>
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<img alt="Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1qdeFRKiy_nWV8v2Ssp7oR1AMw0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25326276/2056038544.jpg">
<cite>Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Despite taking the lead the Red Devils were dominated by City</em></figcaption>
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<p id="SmNeD2">January saw the departure of Jadon Sancho, a man long pursued by the Mancunians and eventually signed for a staggering €85m, on a loan deal to Dortmund, his former side. Also departing temporarily for Germany was ex-Blue Donny van de Beek. United went on an unbeaten run at the beginning of the year, including winning four on the bounce, but entertain Everton having lost their last two league matches, at home to Fulham and last time out, when dominated by the neighbours, <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a>.</p>
<p id="wdJsoj">The Red Devils enter the weekend in sixth spot in the table, with qualification for next season’s Champions League almost impossible.</p>
<h2 id="NgwNpV"><strong>Style of Play</strong></h2>
<p id="Swife9">On paper, ten Hag looked the ideal new man to wrestle the club away from the staleness it’s endured since the heady days of Alex Ferguson. Praised for his attacking, possession-heavy system at Ajax, abetted by an intense high-pressing approach, United fans have seen precious little of this in practice. Instead, the Dutchman appears to have succumbed to the prevailing style of play under his predecessors, one lacking assertiveness and emphasising counterattacking. There’s been a fair churn of players over the past few years, so quite why it is so hard to shift the team out of its ennui is hard to assess.</p>
<p id="d4qbbk">Instead of controlling events, the Red Devils manage a mediocre 50% possession share, ranking them ninth in the division - which is coincidentally where their 82.7% pass accuracy places them. Around 10.5% of the team’s passing goes long. They muster 14.3 attempts per 90 minutes, but have scored 37 times, from an xG (Expected Goals) statistic of 40.6, a slight offensive underperformance, though nowhere near the scale of Everton’s. Though United are a side which likes to counter, they’ve only scored three goals from transition.</p>
<p id="97KOnT">A team which often drifts into lulls of puzzling inactivity, they allow 16.4 efforts per 90 -which ranks them 17th. They’ve conceded 39 times, which is a major feat considering their xGA (Expected Goals Allowed) metric is 45.8. The North-West outfit has shipped ten via set-piece situations this term - one less than the Toffees - and given up five to counterattacks, which makes encouraging reading for today’s visitors.</p>
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<img alt="Everton FC v Manchester United - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FL0bIU8SeO8pYg_MXZfa7HBiz3M=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25326271/1806657401.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Everton were unlucky to lose heavily to United in November</em></figcaption>
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<h2 id="fN4sP6"><strong>Player Assessment</strong></h2>
<p id="oFqvvH">Onana has taken plenty of heat since arriving at Old Trafford, primarily due to a series of costly errors early in the campaign, mostly in European games. He’s conceded two less goals than could be expected, considering the quality of shots that he has faced. The Cameroonian was brought in to enable the team to play out from the back and he is effective at this, though can sometimes take undue chances.</p>
<p id="K3aB6f">Bruno Fernandes is a class operator who tends to show up against Everton, unfortunately. His goals are down this term (three), but he’s still United’s most creative player, with an average of 5.96 SCA (Shot-Creating Actions) per 90. The Portuguese is some way ahead of any of his teammates, completing 2.42 passes into the opposition area per game.</p>
<p id="N04cen">Casemiro is enduring a difficult second season in England, but is still putting up solid defensive numbers, including making 5.62 recoveries and leads the team in both combined tackles and interceptions per 90 (4.71) and blocks (3.31) per 90. The 32-year-old has lost some mobility, but has often being left exposed by United’s system and a lack of tracking by some of the attacking players.</p>
<h2 id="gY0EpN"><strong>Solution</strong></h2>
<p id="30SpXk">Everton’s record in the Premier League at Old Trafford is particularly awful: just two wins, in 1992 and 2013, though they’ve tied two of the last three meetings on enemy territory. The Toffees actually played pretty well back in November at Goodison, and were unlucky to go out 3-0 losers. Today’s hosts are not in good shape currently, with a lot of absentees due to injury, particularly in the defence and with Hojlund a doubt. </p>
<p id="dxoXwi">The Dane's recent spate of goals had fired United into a decent winning run and his absence has been a big miss, with Marcus Rashford ineffective leading the line. The body language and general vibe emanating from the team has not been good, piling more pressure on ten Hag.</p>
<p id="Cal1on">Everton, meanwhile appear to be in reasonable spirits considering the lack of a league win since mid-December, which has to go down as a positive checkmark for Sean Dyche’s efforts at forging a cohesive unit. Still, the side undoubtedly need to find a win from somewhere. Normally, this would not be at Old Trafford, but it would be foolish to write off their chances entirely.</p>
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<img alt="Everton FC v West Ham United - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VyoeSOQiUA35I4z7mn62wXVuY7M=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25326263/2053252728.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Beto will likely lead the line today at Old Trafford</em></figcaption>
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<p id="XRDosg">I expect an unchanged Blues lineup, with the only real doubt at right back, with Ben Godfrey not exactly inspiring confidence in a makeshift role. Whether he starts again depends on what kind of shape Seamus Coleman is in. </p>
<p id="VrZCTG">The hosts are susceptible in transition and can be caught in possession as they can look slow and laborious in playing out from the back and Everton are an effective high-pressing side. United don’t exactly look impregnable defending dead balls either, so both vulnerabilities could see the visitors taking full advantage. Of course, the Red Devils have pace in the attack in transition and some good footballers, so the Toffees need to be wary.</p>
<p id="w0yjoZ">The Mancunians can look good in periods - as we saw at Goodison - but appear unable - or unwilling - to sustain these positive spells, often laying back passively, or being easy to play through. Imagining a win for the Blues at the moment is a tough ask, but they have a solid chance here at a point.</p>
<p id="D7E6wq"><em>Prediction: Man United 1-1 Everton</em></p>
<p id="I8zegO"><em>Statistics supplied courtesy of </em><a href="http://fbref.com"><em><strong>fbref.com</strong></em></a><em>, </em><a href="http://whoscored.com"><em><strong>whoscored.com</strong></em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://transfermarkt.com"><em><strong>transfermarkt.com</strong></em></a><em> </em></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2024/3/9/24094865/manchester-united-vs-everton-tactical-analysis-match-preview-taking-their-chances-dyche-ten-haagKevin Dyer2024-03-05T12:00:00+00:002024-03-05T12:00:00+00:00Everton 1-3 West Ham: Three Takeaways | How Did the Blues Contrive to Lose This?
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<img alt="Everton FC v West Ham United - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uoC5ILSmuJsRhfNJeeYDn4Qmw-w=/0x0:3257x2171/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73183151/2053176758.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><em>Beto takes a shot but Areola was tough to beat</em> | Photo by James Gill/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>The wait for a win goes on for another week</em></p> <h2 id="rvplsg"><strong>No Complaints With the Plan</strong></h2>
<p id="dFJaix">In what was a flashback to several matches earlier in the season, <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/"><strong>Everton</strong></a> managed to dominate <a href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/"><strong>West Ham United</strong></a>, only to fail to capitalize on their chances and end up the loser at Goodison Park on Saturday. The first half had played out somewhat as I’d envisaged beforehand, with the visitors willingly ceding possession, with the clear intention of playing on the counter, in what was a role reversal to how the first game between the two teams had played out back in October. </p>
<p id="yMCbMz">It was a tight opening 45 minutes, one of few chances, with the only major highlight being the penalty awarded to the Blues - a first for the campaign, no less - close to the end of the half. More on that later. The hosts had pressured the Hammers high, which seemed a sound strategy, but neither side managed to create many scoring opportunities and if the game continued in this vein it figured to be a tight affair, likely to be decided by a mistake, or a moment of class, David Moyes’s outfit possessing considerably more of the latter.</p>
<p id="SpD8wg">The hosts came out after the restart newly energized, playing with more aggression and immediately forced the Londoners back, leading to Beto’s excellent 56th minute goal, from James Garner’s pinpoint deep cross. Suddenly, there was a lot of space in the midfield and Everton were able to break on the visitors, Dwight McNeil coming close to scoring just a few minutes later, another promising move breaking down shortly thereafter. West Ham were hanging on and looking stretched and it appeared a second goal was coming. The visitors’ response, just after the hour mark came against the run of play and inflicted a twofold hammer blow. </p>
<p id="jT0Mpc">That the Toffees’ lead had lasted such a short time was bad enough, but that the equalizer had come from another poorly-defended set-piece was a tough pill to swallow. One-time Blue Kurt Zouma’s barely contested header was the eleventh goal Everton have shipped from a dead-ball situation this term; only four clubs have allowed more. Again, the marking scheme looked off, with the tall centre half guarded by the smaller Ben Godfrey and Abdoulaye Doucoure, while 6’5 Jarrad Branthwaite picked up the 5’9 Jarrod Bowen.</p>
<p id="QqhfAN">Whether Everton became more open, in trying to regain their advantage I don’t know, but despite the Merseysiders continuing to largely boss the action, West Ham were starting to get the odd chance in transition, as the game became increasingly frenetic. From the 64th minute to the 90th, the Blues outshot the visitors by 12 to three, a combination of wild hits from range, close-range stops and solid efforts, all adding up to an xG (Expected Goals) statistic of 0.71. By contrast, the trio of attempts by the Hammers tallied an xG of 0.59.</p>
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<img alt="Everton v West Ham United - Premier League - Goodison Park" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Oex_FBZC7-PghDh1kr7tCd_L7BU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25318138/2050808433.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>The Hammers bag a last-minute third goal</em></figcaption>
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<p id="bZq0Dn">With the chances by Everton diminishing in quality as regulation time came to an end, it appeared that the team would have to be content with being held to yet another draw, but the Fates determined otherwise. Perhaps fatigued by their endeavour in trying to win the game, concentration levels dipped, marking became slack and suddenly the Toffees were behind again, courtesy of Tomas Soucek’s exceptional finish. Edson Alverez’s third, on the break after a tired giveaway by Garner mattered little, except to give the false impression of a comfortable win for the visitors.</p>
<p id="GehAAb">This time, Sean Dyche bears little responsibility for what unfolded at Goodison. The team was more assertive, constructed a good number of attacks, but could only convert once. They played well against a strong side (and this evidenced by a comparison of the relative spending by the two clubs over the past few seasons) who had been in poor form, but possesses far more attacking talent. Regrettably, Everton had blown another opportunity to secure their first win in more than ten weeks, but I don’t look at it as three points lost, considering I'd predicted a draw in my preview piece.</p>
<h2 id="RDIMua"><strong>Selection Issues</strong></h2>
<p id="j3BFAJ">I’m not sure why Godfrey continues to hold down the right back berth. The 26-year-old came into the side in January, with both Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young out injured and Dyche clearly not favouring Nathan Patterson and did a necessary job. Since that first appearance, against <a href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/"><strong>Fulham</strong></a>, he’s started another five consecutive games at full back, in all of which Everton have looked hobbled on the right flank. There’s nothing wrong with the nominal central defender’s attitude and credit must go to him for coming in and getting up to speed quickly, but in truth he offers little at the position. Would Coleman not be a better option?</p>
<p id="hIyuMi">Jack Harrison receives no overlapping support from Godfrey, who will typically hang back in a defensive position, which leads to attacks breaking down. His pace allows him to recover rapidly when caught upfield, but his positional defending is poor wherever he plays and offensively he lacks a natural full back’s instincts. If Dyche has the opportunity to shift Garner to right back, should Idrissa Gueye recover fitness quickly, then this could be a good solution. He’s played the position before, at (youth) international level and has all the attributes to be a productive force.</p>
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<img alt="Everton FC v West Ham United - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GLga9pNUsXGQ-KRpcj0APEZqz4g=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25318133/2046564064.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Harrison gets to the byline but Godfrey is a long way back</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="6tb6IB">Harrison is taking plenty of flak from some quarters, and it is true that he is not a flamboyant, pacy winger, but he’s not helped by who he has playing behind him. The loanee is also more comfortable on the left; but out of Everton’s wing options, who isn’t? Whatever limitations he has, he’s the best fit on the right - other than Young whose inclusion I’m sure would cause a lot of unhappiness from the same folks taking shots at Harrison currently.</p>
<p id="zLBA4y">Beto took his chance when given it and deserves to continue in the starting lineup until he fails to perform. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the more rounded player, but his underperformance in front of goal cannot be ignored. If the team were scoring from other areas on a regular basis, a lack of goals from the lone striker could be accepted, but that’s not happening. A spot on the bench takes some of the pressure off DCL, who may hopefully re-find his form as a substitute. </p>
<h2 id="Q5LWiN"><strong>Random Observations</strong></h2>
<p id="zK1OUg">Fans have called for more assured attacking performances at home and for better or worse they got that at the weekend. The opposition goalkeeper, Alphonse Areola, unfortunately pulled off a clinic. I’ve always rated the Frenchman particularly as a shot-stopper and we saw that talent on full display on Saturday, with the 31-year-old pulling off nine saves from ten on-target attempts, having faced a PSxG (Post-Shot Expected Goals) tally of 4.2. Another perspective would be that Everton’s poor finishing makes any goalkeeper’s job a lot easier.</p>
<p id="9nKpSA">Everton finally were awarded a penalty in a Premier League game this season, 27 games in all in a run extending back to last May 1st; quite an achievement, from a statistical standpoint. That they then proceeded to fail to capitalize on it almost felt as thought the gods of football were having a private joke at the club’s expense. Not a funny one, but merry-making all the same. Personally, I hated the call against Zouma, but expected VAR to give it after seeing the replay. In the current climate, interpretation of the handball rule is needlessly convoluted to the extent that obfuscation is the order of the day and the original, straightforward intent has been lost.</p>
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<img alt="Everton FC v West Ham United - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BxLBn7AVsVvxvuvC7w3-TBbi6KA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25318105/2053271781.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Beto - at least - can beat Areola, eventually</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="UOgnms">Beto’s penalty caused some unhappiness in the world of social media, with plenty of critique regarding his attempt. It was an indifferent effort from a player without a real track record from 12 yards out, one who did not exactly exude confidence in the taking. Placed well enough, but hit with little conviction and probably read by Areola based on the striker’s run-up, I’ve seen plenty of worse penalties, but it won’t be winning any awards, either. The PSxG on it was given as 0.98, which is a definite case of the modelling not meeting the eye test.</p>
<p id="j9wIJD"><em>Statistics supplied courtesy of </em><a href="http://fbef.com"><em><strong>fbef.com</strong></em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://fotmob.com"><em><strong>fotmob.com</strong></em></a><em> </em></p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2024/3/5/24089309/everton-1-3-west-ham-three-takeaways-blues-contrive-to-lose-dyche-beto-calvert-lewin-garnerKevin Dyer2024-03-02T06:25:22+00:002024-03-02T06:25:22+00:00Everton vs West Ham: Opposition Analysis | Dyche Versus Moyes at Goodison Park
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<img alt="West Ham United v Everton FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rHpbuGroEmXUClwdWLfEyBgX2vE=/0x0:3613x2409/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73177306/1763327391.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><em>Calvert-Lewin scores his last goal for Everton in the return fixture back in </em> | Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Will Everton’s old long-time boss thwart the Blues’ attempts at survival?</em></p> <p id="QNb5Nn"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com">Everton</a> received a temporary boost during the week with the news that an independent panel, commissioned by the Premier League to assess the club’s appeal against a ten-point sanction for a breach of profitability and sustainability regulations, had partially ruled in their favour. A restoration of four of those lost points pushed the Blues up to 15th place in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone.</p>
<p id="HotklU">Still, the club hasn’t managed to win a league game since December 16th, an awfully long time ago. However, Everton’s winless run now stands at nine matches and regardless of their improved position the campaign still has plenty of scope for twists and turns of fate.</p>
<p id="gYAP8t">Up next this afternoon, the Toffees welcome their ex-boss David Moyes and his West Ham United side to Goodison Park.</p>
<h2 id="R12bQw"><strong>Form</strong></h2>
<p id="Pyle9N">The Hammers finished an underwhelming 14th last term - a disappointing campaign only alleviated by the securing of a Europa Conference League trophy, the club’s first major silverware since their <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> triumph in 1980. Prime asset Declan Rice finally departed in the summer, heading across London to join Arsenal for a cool €117m. </p>
<p id="GUGEWK">All told the club raised an enormous €166m in outgoings, including flops in one-time Blue Nikola Vlasic and striker Gianluca Scamacca, along with the surplus-to-requirements Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini. With money in the bank, the East Londoners spent heavily on Ajax Amsterdam pair midfielder Edson Álvarez (€38m) and attacker Mohammed Kudus (€43m) - who Frank Lampard almost brought to Merseyside - along with James Ward-Prowse (€35m) from relegated <a href="https://stmarysmusings.sbnation.com">Southampton</a> and VfB Stuttgart defender Konstantinos Mavropanos for €20m. </p>
<p id="kXKEN2">The team has enjoyed a stronger campaign than the last one so far and got off to a solid start, losing only to <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a> and <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> until well into the autumn. They hit the skids a little in October, going winless in four in the league, a 1-0 home reverse to the Toffees amongst three defeats during this spell. West Ham then embarked on a good run, qualifying for the Round of 16 in the Europa League and winning six of eight domestically, including victories over <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com">Tottenham Hotspur</a> and Arsenal.</p>
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<img alt="West Ham United v Brentford FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/C5vUq1VZBao_2GQ-5MgrPZspUt0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25314147/2041336996.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Bowen fired a hattrick against Brentford last Monday</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="SkVBLz">Since hitting that high-water mark at the Emirates Stadium, the Hammers have won just once in seven league fixtures - last time out against Brentford - against three losses. A 6-0 home thrashing at the hands of the Gunners brought plenty of anti-Moyes sentiment to the fore. West Ham lie in eighth spot in the table entering today’s match.</p>
<h2 id="9l31hS"><strong>Style of Play</strong></h2>
<p id="cbYWxp">Moyes has stuck with a 4-2-3-1 formation throughout the campaign and plays a style that hasn’t changed much from his days at Everton - which seem like an age ago. The emphasis is on defensive solidity, with a direct counterattacking philosophy. They aren’t set up to control games, much like the Blues aren’t either under Sean Dyche, which has led to plenty of disgruntlement with Hammers fans, who want to see their team dictate play. </p>
<p id="vIZwKk">Instead, the Londoners rank a mere 16th in the division with a 40.7% share of possession. Their passing accuracy is 79.2% (joint 12th) and 14.4% of their balls go long, which is less than Everton, so there’s at least some attempt to play it along the ground. The visitors generate an anaemic 11.6 shots per 90 minutes, and an xG (Expected Goals) metric of 35.1, from which they’ve scored 40. They are dangerous on the counter, having netted seven times, which ranks them second.</p>
<p id="7Z68tK">A passive approach has seen the team face 16.7 attempts per 90, ranking them 18th in the division. They have conceded 46 times, in line with an xGA (Expected Goals Allowed) of 46.9, which again ranks them 18th. Unsurprisingly for a side that sits deep, they’ve only allowed one goal in transition, but have shipped five penalties. Only the current bottom three - plus Brentford - have conceded more goals from open play, a full 19 more than Everton.</p>
<h2 id="TqhDj8"><strong>Player Assessment</strong></h2>
<p id="v7bRbD">Lucas Paqueta has been vital for the team this season. It’s not a coincidence that, prior to returning for last Monday’s 4-2 win over Brentford he’d been absent with injury since the Hammers’ last victory, against Arsenal at the end of December, with the club failing to win in the interim. The Brazilian is a classy technician with an eye for a pass and has created five assists this term.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="West Ham United v Everton FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xN1Z4diQLCb_foVg2XPkEN_I7Ow=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25314146/1763339807.jpg">
<cite>Photo by West Ham United FC/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>West Ham will look to play through Paqueta</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="9iEP0Z">Jarrod Bowen has been forced to step into the centre forward role this season, but the nominal right-sided attacker is doing a good job, hitting 14 league goals so far, including a hattrick against the Bees. A composed finisher, he’s scored five more than his xG of 9.0 would suggest should be the case.</p>
<p id="hwx0IW">Kudus gets the West Ham fans off their seats and it’s a shame Everton were unable to prise the Ghanaian away from Ajax a couple of years ago. The attacking midfielder is a clean striker of the ball and like Bowen is exceeding his xG by quite a bit, having scored 6 from an xG of 2.5. The 23-year-old carries the ball smoothly and at pace, and attempts 7.2 dribbles per game, with a success rate of 55.9%.</p>
<h2 id="RYdoVO"><strong>Solution</strong></h2>
<p id="o4RLao">This won’t be an easy match for the hosts to navigate, given how West Ham set up and the difficulties that Everton run into when the onus is on them to press the attack. The side is limited technically and in terms of flair - unlike the visitors - but, to a degree both sides are hampered creatively by the mindsets of their respective managers.</p>
<p id="RrTfos">Moyes and Dyche emphasize being defensively responsible, with the Scot liable to adopt a more passive approach to defending than his counterpart, but also more likely to field a maverick talent like Kudus than is the ex-Burnley chief. The Hammers will sit in their low block at Goodison, give Everton as much of the ball as they want and look to hit them on the counter.</p>
<p id="VzZrxB">Typically devoid of ideas, or an obvious way of playing when building up, the Blues will be forced to press the visitors high hoping for turnover opportunities. Moyes will seek to avoid this by instructing his players to go direct, rather than risk being caught in possession in dangerous areas. Otherwise, Dyche’s approach will be deep crosses and direct balls up to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, which should be easy for West Ham to deal with. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="West Ham United v Everton FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/o8o5ds5dbFuSL-yBJuJb5B4nP1c=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25314140/1752725943.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>The Blues could find an Onana-sized hole in midfield today</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="j3eeHI">Whereas the Londoners are almost full strength, Everton have some concerns, particularly in midfield, with both Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana doubtful. Hopefully one of them can make the starting lineup, otherwise Abdoulaye Doucoure will be forced to play deeper, pushing Jack Harrison back inside and leaving a hole to fill at right wing, probably by Ashley Young.</p>
<p id="nytyy0">With the Hammers apparently emerging from a bad run of form and in good shape in terms of player fitness, they present a serious threat to a Blues side again struggling with a lack of depth and still searching for that elusive win. Unfortunately, I see that unwanted run continuing this afternoon.</p>
<p id="QNXBLm"><em>Prediction: Everton 1-1 West Ham</em></p>
<p id="llM0Pk"><em>Statistics provided courtesy of </em><a href="http://fbref.com"><em><strong>fbref.com</strong></em></a><em>, </em><a href="http://transfermarkt.com"><em><strong>transfermarkt.com</strong></em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://whoscored.com"><em><strong>whoscored.com</strong></em></a><em> </em></p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2024/3/2/24088140/everton-vs-west-ham-opposition-analysis-premier-league-match-preview-dyche-versus-moyesKevin Dyer2024-02-26T22:00:00+00:002024-02-26T22:00:00+00:00Brighton 1-1 Everton: Three Takeaways | Blues Spurn Another Opportunity
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<img alt="Brighton &amp; Hove Albion v Everton FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ChFD8uwQxB3bY3BOrvAZSpVaUgo=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73166351/2035567810.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><em>The Blues somehow fail to hang on against ten men</em> | Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The wait for a win goes on as the Blues squander a big chance to get three points at the Amex</p> <h2 id="gb2UG6"><strong>In Isolation, a Good Result</strong></h2>
<p id="Ks0aeX">Putting aside the bizarreness that Sean Dyche has not lost any of his seven visits to the Amex, predominantly with Burnley of course, but also with <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com">Everton</a> for that memorable — and vital, as it turned out — 5-1 win towards the end of last season, this draw with Brighton & Hove Albion was a solid result. The hosts, after all had lost only once at home in the league this term, and that all the way back in August to West Ham United. Since that loss, in which the Seagulls had dominated possession (78%), but had shipped three goals before pulling one back, they’d faced a team who play a bit like the Blues.</p>
<p id="FshC7e">Accordingly, it wasn’t a total surprise how the visitors set up on Saturday, as it was hardly a major departure to the way Everton have played all season. Jack Harrison coming in for Ashley Young on the right wing was the sole change, with Ben Godfrey retaining his right back berth and Amadou Onana again left on the bench, despite claiming a point for the team against Crystal Palace when introduced last week; a puzzling decision. Brighton were missing a couple of important attacking players in Kaoru Mitoma and Joao Pedro, blunting their threat somewhat, but were otherwise in decent shape.</p>
<p id="mVeI4A">Sean Dyche was aware of the hosts’ commitment to their possession style, in particular playing out of defence, so Everton were instructed to put pressure on selectively, whilst sitting in their usual low-mid block. Unfortunately, during the first period, Brighton deftly avoided the press, and were able to quickly play through midfield on occasion, though a combination of good defending and a lack of their usual quality in the final third meant the visitors were able to ride out these moments without undue trouble. </p>
<p id="vw4qVY">Brighton ended the half with 93% passing accuracy and ten attempts on Jordan Pickford’s net, but could only generate an xG (Expected Goals) total of 0.68. The Toffees failed to muster an effort on goal but did manage an unusually high 87% success rate with their passing. Before we get too excited about the latter statistic, it must be noted that almost three quarters of Everton’s completed passes were in their own half, and it was apparent that much of the team’s plan appeared to be to slow the game down and wait out the 90 minutes. On the rare occasions when they were able to progress the ball into the home third they were unable to string more than a couple of passes together.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Brighton &amp; Hove Albion v Everton FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8mCm8VYaxSo6aWvftEW3lZ9ls-Y=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25306127/2035514006.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Everton FC via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Everton’s attacking approach was rudimentary and sometimes non-existent</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="hRaJ3Q">The second half was more eventful, though I’m not sure I can agree with Dyche’s assessment that it represented a “really good away performance”. The game drifted on soporifically, almost without incident to combat the onset of a Saturday afternoon semi-slumber, a series of trademark blocks by the Blues in the 70th minute being as eventful as it appeared it’d get. Jarrad Branthwaite’s excellent 73rd minute finish from a free kick taken from near the halfway line unexpectedly put Everton ahead and Billy Gilmour’s straight red card eight minutes later put the team in a strong position to seize all three points. </p>
<p id="vACjRo">Alas, an old bugbear - the team’s susceptibility when defending the second phase of set-piece situations - struck again five minutes into added time, Godfrey being easily beaten by a towering Lewis Dunk header. So, the Blues had to be content with a point and going in that would have equated to a good result. That the team squandered the win from an advantageous situation was galling, but it’d be churlish to claim that they deserved anything more than a draw on balance.</p>
<h2 id="JFVBUN"><strong>The Bigger Picture</strong></h2>
<p id="Fb21SY">The stalemate at the Amex extended Everton’s winless run in the league to nine outings, from which they’ve gathered five points. Another way to spin it would be to recognize that the Toffees have only lost once in six - to defending champions <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com">Manchester City</a> at the Etihad Stadium. Like that game, the one at the Amex was not one at all likely to generate a victory, though admittedly the chances of gaining some kind of positive result was far higher.</p>
<p id="ctF1Uf">Consequently, it’s not fair to be too harsh on the side for “just” coming away with a draw. The Blues have performed admirably on the road all season, gaining five wins and three draws against five defeats and this was another occasion in which Dyche’s pragmatic, defensively responsible approach brought dividends. Everton’s away form is not a problem. not at all. The games left to play on the road <em>are</em> a mixed bag, but there’s a solid chance of them picking up a few results along the way.</p>
<p id="k3cQkS">At home though? The team had to battle back to scramble a draw with a severely weakened Palace outfit last time out at Goodison Park. The visitors, without a manager, sat deep, played a lot of long balls and challenged Everton to break them down. The home side’s efforts were - to be frank - a bit embarrassing. The Blues will be entertaining old boss David Moyes and West Ham next weekend and it’s probable that the visitors will look to invite Everton on and to play on the counter themselves. After all, the Hammers rank 16th in terms of share of possession and will be happy to give the ball to the hosts.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Brighton &amp; Hove Albion v Everton FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KrVPgTUPiWVxhSCF3Q8FcJ0Gl5Q=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25306125/2035500805.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Everton FC via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>A rare moment of quality sees Abdoulaye Doucoure’s effort cleared off the line</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="ZuxumE">Quite what the Toffees will seek to do with that ball is anyone’s guess. It’s quite evident that forcing the issue and creating their own opportunities to score from general play is not what the team are good at, whether due to natural talent limitations, a lack of focus on such matters in training or, more likely a combination of the two. This could be a real problem. Thankfully, Everton’s appeal against the ten point sanction imposed for a breach of the Premier Leagues profitability and sustainability regulations has been partially successful, restoring four points, but the team’s improved 15th-place position in the table still does not remove the threat of relegation.</p>
<p id="EXxDLY">I stated before the Palace match that I felt the team probably needed to find a minimum of five wins from their remaining 14 fixtures. With the appeal verdict, that can now be adjusted to perhaps four from 12. Luton Town - the side everyone else will be hoping to stay above, are going through a tough run of games at the moment, which will end next time out with <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com">Aston Villa</a> visiting Kenilworth Road. They still have a few hard encounters left on their schedule, but finish with five winnable games, the toughest of which is an away trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers. </p>
<p id="xwaBxk">Everton cannot leave anything to chance and have to put some distance between themselves, Luton and the rest of the several teams involved in the fight to avoid the drop before the final month of the campaign. That they’ve not really taken advantage of Luton‘s slump in form in recent weeks is troubling. They must start winning games at home.</p>
<h2 id="tmZ6hu"><strong>The Future</strong></h2>
<p id="TtRhhi">This current Everton side is a tough watch. It’s clear that the club’s struggles off the pitch has greatly impacted the quality it can put on it. The steady drain of talent, the lack of reliable depth is apparent, despite the best efforts of director of football Kevin Thelwell, whose position has been a thankless one right from the beginning. </p>
<p id="TFPe83">Credit too must go to Dyche for taking the reins last season when Frank Lampard seemed certain to take the club down to the Championship. He’s uncomplainingly gotten on with his job, shut out the “noise” - as he refers to the shenanigans surrounding Everton’s incompetent running - and got the team playing competitively in all but a few matches this term. </p>
<p id="ENlxDz">Defensively, the club has been very solid, conceding the fourth fewest number of goals, behind only the current top three clubs in the table and just ahead of the impressive Aston Villa. That is quite an accomplishment for Dyche, as a tight defence keeps a side in games and typically results in comparatively few losses. It’s also helped the team’s goal difference, which is superior to all of the clubs likely to be involved in the relegation battle.</p>
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<img alt="Brighton &amp; Hove Albion v Everton FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uE112Lf-GJL4Wb_K3TeRuy4rx3U=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25306123/2038000800.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Dyche was happy enough but this was a grim watch</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="UGDXfC">For the time being this manager is suitable for the situation the Toffees find themselves in, but I want to see Everton playing more ambitiously in the future, especially at home. Watching the team play such a limited type of football, bereft of the desire to excite, is soul-destroying. As dedicated fans, we’ll tune in regardless but who would choose to view this meagre fare otherwise? Football is supposed to be a spectacle, something to get excited about, not an anodyne activity more likely to induce an afternoon nap than any passion.</p>
<p id="L0X7A2">Right now, due to the position the club is in, it is enough, but a team with the history, supporter base and status in the game (still, after all these decades of mediocrity) the Toffees enjoy has to aim higher. I’m hoping that Everton will soon be able to get new ownership onboard, stabilize financially, strengthen on the field and head into the new stadium ready for a reboot. I don’t want to be watching the Grand Old Team playing like a “small” club in our new home. We’ve all suffered enough.</p>
<p id="TytvMS"><em>Statistics provided courtesy of </em><a href="http://fbref.com"><em><strong>fbref.com</strong></em></a><em>, </em><a href="http://whoscored.com"><em><strong>whoscored.com</strong></em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://fotmob.com"><em><strong>fotmob.com</strong></em></a><em> </em></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2024/2/26/24082876/brighton-1-1-everton-three-takeaways-appeal-ruling-six-points-deduction-dyche-premier-league-psrKevin Dyer2024-02-24T08:00:00+00:002024-02-24T08:00:00+00:00Brighton vs Everton: Opposition Analysis | Blues Still Searching For That Elusive Victory
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<img alt="Everton v Brighton and Hove Albion - Premier League - Goodison Park" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2TkSd8UcBmGMz9ixvYnIb8Y8TW8=/36x0:3300x2176/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73161138/1763955411.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><em>Vitalii Mykolenko opens the scoring against the Seagulls in November</em> | Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>The Blues have failed to win in nine league games and face an uphill task at the Amex</em></p> <p id="JLeukA">Everton once again failed to secure a win on Monday night, in being held to a draw by Crystal Palace at Goodison Park. Their inability to defeat a substantially weakened Eagles outfit on home turf served to further highlight a major weakness in the team: its problem in forcing a game against an opponent playing cautiously.</p>
<p id="fnHy1O">The visitors were clearly happy to depart Liverpool with a point, but it was frustrating watching how poor the Blues were in constructing attacks and developing build-up play. With managerless Palace playing a back five and going long, the opportunities for the hosts to capitalize on transition - one of their strong points - was removed from the equation.</p>
<p id="6hTnDy">That makes it nine league games in a row without a win for Everton, who sit 17th in the table, above Luton Town by virtue of a superior goal difference. Next up, the team faces an arduous trip to the Amex, to play Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.</p>
<h2 id="AiM2IB"><strong>Form</strong></h2>
<p id="6AMqvW">The Seagulls finished sixth last season, the club’s highest-ever finish in the top flight, under manager Roberto De Zerbi. So successful a campaign was it that in the summer they lost three important players to more powerful, monied sides in Chelsea and Liverpool, the former taking both Moises Caicedo and Robert Sanchez, the latter World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, generating close to €200m in sales for the South Coast outfit. Such is the price of progression in the Premier League.</p>
<p id="DfWVBR">With plenty to reinvest, Brighton spent a little more than half of what they’d brought in on young talent: forward Joao Pedro from Watford, Lille midfielder Carlos Baleba, Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati, on a season-long loan. The club wisely chose to add some more experience, in the form of uber-veteran free agent James Milner and Fiorentina centre half Igor.</p>
<p id="w74Nnr">Faced with the challenge of competing in the Europa League, alongside regular domestic duties, the Seagulls have fared pretty well. An expansive style of play, along with the demands of extra fixtures on a squad lacking significant depth in some areas has tested them to their limits. After making a solid start to the campaign they ran into a rocky spell in the autumn, going winless in six league outings - including a 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison.</p>
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<img alt="Sheffield United v Brighton &amp; Hove Albion - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mapNe_ALrhkD0U0PO400TADwA3s=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25301932/2022670687.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Danny Wellbeck fires homes Brighton’s second against Sheffield United</em></figcaption>
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<p id="c4SfqP">Brighton have been inconsistent since, winning five of 13, with four defeats. They welcome Everton having won two of their last three, losing the other to a 96th minute goal against Tottenham Hotspur. Last Sunday they pulverized a hapless Sheffield United outfit 5-0 at Bramhall Lane. The Seagulls currently sit in seventh spot in the table, 18 points ahead of the Toffees.</p>
<h2 id="0E7VI8"><strong>Style of Play</strong></h2>
<p id="I5ZhOQ">Under De Zerbi, the hosts have gone with a 4-2-3-1 formation most of the time, including their last two outings, which ended a run of games using a 3-4-3. The Italian espouses a progressive, attacking style of football. Something of an outlier in his homeland, from a tactical point of view, he’s assimilated well into life in the English game, with his Brighton side amongst the neutral’s favourites - unsurprising considering the 88 goals scored for and against in their league matches so far this season; by comparison, there’s been 60 scored in Everton games.</p>
<p id="R7XZJP">The Seagulls employ a possession style, looking to build out from the back, offering a lot of movement within a fluid system; forwards dropping in to contribute and wingers often cutting infield causing confusion, disrupting rigid marking schemes and causing overloads. They trail only Manchester City in terms of share of possession and passing accuracy, going long only 6.3% of the time, about as third as often as Everton. Their attack is heavily skewed towards the left flank. The team generates 14.8 shots per 90 minutes (ranking joint fifth) and their 48 strikes exceed their xG (Expected Goals) tally by 5.7.</p>
<p id="DUCOzT">Unsurprisingly, such an expansive approach results in Brighton leaving themselves exposed at times, particularly as a result of their dogged commitment to playing out from the back. They’ve been beaten four times from counterattacks and given up five penalties, though the 12 attempts they allow per 90 actually ranks fifth in the division. The South Coast side have shipped 40 goals this term, rather worse than an xGA (Expected Goals Allowed) metric of 36.4 suggests they should have conceded.</p>
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<img alt="Brighton &amp; Hove Albion v Everton FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8qZpqt-bSCjiraWKkCfZzxCwGoM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25301918/1488410223.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Dwight McNeil fires home Everton’s fifth at the Amex last season</em></figcaption>
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<h2 id="hT6zbe"><strong>Player Assessment</strong></h2>
<p id="g7ysPG">Called up to the German national side at age 32, Pascal Gross is at last earning recognition for being a really pretty good footballer, at a late stage of his career. The versatile midfielder leads the team in SCA (Shot-Creating Actions) per 90 with 5.17 and is both a playmaker and primary set-piece man. He averages 3.02 key passes per game and has provided nine assists this term.</p>
<p id="CCGQmJ">In the absence of Kaoru Mitoma and Pedro, right winger Simon Adingra will be relied on to threaten the Everton backline with his pace and trickery. The 22-year-old carries the ball into the opposition area 2.26 times per 90 and he attempts 4.96 dribbles per match, though only with a 36.8% success rate. He’s bagged six league goals this term, including a brace last time out against the Blades.</p>
<h2 id="xEd9Xz"><strong>Solutions</strong></h2>
<p id="48GqFk">The Blues badly need a win and did memorably humble the Seagulls 5-1 at the Amex last season. However, the hosts have tasted defeat on home turf only once in the league during the current campaign - and that back in August. Victors that day were West Ham United, who do play in a similar conservative fashion to Everton, however which is worth noting. </p>
<p id="p7GNzx">Everton under Sean Dyche are highly dependent on set-pieces, with more than half of the team’s goals coming from that route. In general play, the Toffees are reliant on causing the opposition to turn the ball over in dangerous areas, which can allow them to fashion an immediate counterattack, requiring no more than a few successful passes. </p>
<p id="r7qrQ9">Where they struggle is when they have to try to open an opponent up through their own ingenuity; in short, it can be an ugly and mildly incompetent watch. Mercifully, Brighton are exactly the type of side likely to give the Blues chances in transition, given their proclivity to play out of defence. The hosts are skilled at this, but then the Merseysiders can be effective in pressing high up the pitch when they commit to it.</p>
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<img alt="Everton FC v Brighton &amp; Hove Albion - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GQBRRFGA8Yk-o6lf0PDp6QuSezM=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25301915/1774769449.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Emma Simpson/Everton FC via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Harrison should line up on the right for the Blues</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="1eyhIW">So, exploiting transitions and - of course - dead ball situations - is where Everton figures to get most joy. I expect a similar lineup to that which took to the pitch on Monday, with changes most likely on the right side. Seamus Coleman will be a late call due to illness, but if he’s fit I expect him to replace Ben Godfrey at full back; if not then it’ll be a tossup between Ben and Ashley Young. Either way, I expect Jack Harrison to return on the wing.</p>
<p id="zi9pav">The Seagulls will be missing quite a few important players, but De Zerbi has been forced to rotate a lot already during the campaign, so this shouldn’t unduly disrupt them. I don’t foresee anything resembling last season’s stunning rout by Everton, but it should be an intriguing clash of styles and one which I think should be a tight affair. Brighton will rightly be favoured and I just don’t think lightning strikes twice for the Toffees.</p>
<p id="1n5OUj"><em>Prediction</em>: Brighton 1-1 Everton</p>
<p id="Yn2w82"><em>Stats provided courtesy of </em><a href="http://fbref.com/"><em><strong>fbref.com</strong></em></a><em>, </em><a href="http://whoscored.com"><em><strong>whoscored.com</strong></em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://transfermarkt.co.uk/"><em><strong>transfermarkt.co.uk</strong></em></a></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2024/2/24/24081301/brighton-vs-everton-opposition-tactical-analysis-blues-searching-elusive-victory-dyche-de-zerbiKevin Dyer2024-02-21T20:27:46+00:002024-02-21T20:27:46+00:00Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace: Three Takeaways | Where Will the Next Win Come From?
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<img alt="Everton v Crystal Palace - Premier League - Goodison Park" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CEAqj23fwQFFDObzbLOsGT7Hcjk=/0x57:3328x2276/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73155009/2016305532.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><em>It’s a missed opportunity as Everton can only draw with the Eagles</em> | Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues fail to take advantage of the severely depleted Eagles</p> <h2 id="pxGcqD"><strong>The Leopard’s Spots Are Not Changing</strong></h2>
<p id="pqs5cL">Monday night’s stalemate - in every sense of the word - with Crystal Palace at Goodison Park was this current Everton side under Sean Dyche in microcosm. The ex-Burnley chief is a man who stands by his tried and trusted methods and is not likely to deviate too much from the pattern which has informed his career in management to date. It is a rigid approach, and that brings with it both strengths and weaknesses. </p>
<p id="atpba9">The Toffees have conceded just 33 goals, which ranks them the joint fourth in the division, so the 52-year-old has fashioned a remarkable turnaround in a side that ranked only 13th defensively last term. The basic structural integrity that Dyche has built, conferred by attention to detail on the training pitch and abetted by an effective pressing system, has resulted in the side being relatively hard to beat. This, along with the players showing improved fitness and application has served Everton well on the road, but at home a little more subtlety is required.</p>
<p id="3cpDDQ">To a degree the timing of this game wasn’t ideal, with Palace arriving at Goodison Park with stand-in personnel selecting the team and game plan, following Roy Hodgson stepping aside earlier in the day. This complicated preparation for Dyche and his backroom staff, adding plenty of intangibles as to what set-up and style of play the visitors would employ. The Eagles took to the field having made a few unexpected changes, including in goal and in going with a narrow 3-4-3, or 3-4-2-1 formation, something they’ve barely used this season.</p>
<p id="atel0i">It was soon apparent that the visitors’ tactics were going to cause problems for Everton, at least in a defensive sense, using something resembling a box four in midfield, with attackers Odsonne Edouard and Jordan Ayew playing narrow. The centre of the pitch was congested, making it difficult for the hosts to play through - even if this had been part of Dyche’s plan, which is debatable. This left plenty of space on the flanks for the Blues to exploit, but this did not happen. </p>
<p id="539ACp">Neither Dwight McNeil nor Ashley Young have the pace to take on defenders; the latter is a 38-year-old who has played as a defender in recent years, but in the case of the former, he’s just slow and inclined to drift inside. The pair can put in a decent cross, but rarely get to the byline, so the ball is lofted in from deep areas and is easier to defend. There was no variety to Everton’s methods, just somewhat aimless crosses from 25-30 yards deep and repetitive long balls fired up from Jordan Pickford (27 attempts), or James Tarkowski (23).</p>
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<img alt="Everton FC v Crystal Palace - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pKiO7qffcUAT-qvb43mhg4oTKTg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25297680/2023812390.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>There was little guile evident in Everton’s attempts to score</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="CM1uGB">Some postulate that the team’s inclination to punt it long may have been down to the players taking it upon themselves to go direct, but we’ve seen it to a greater or lesser degree all season and I can’t believe this isn’t according to the manager’s instructions. The anecdote regarding Dele Alli’s realization that Dyche’s preferred direct style does not equal lumping the ball long was by inference endorsed by the boss, but this is exactly what the team continues to do and there’s no clear sign that he’s unhappy with it.</p>
<p id="dJgcl5">I see no pattern in the team’s play, other than a rudimentary front to back as quickly as possible approach, bypassing midfield. It’s grimly basic stuff and this is a side which is in the top flight of one of the world’s strongest divisions, not the National League. Even a club like Luton Town - comprised of inferior technical players on the whole than Everton - play better football, so I refuse to believe the Blues aren’t capable of more than they’re showing in build-up. </p>
<p id="m0JaeX">Dyche has been pigeonholed as a route one dinosaur and the counter-argument has always been to the effect of “if he has better players, he’ll show variety”. Well, this Everton team, for all its limitations possess at least some ability and so far I’ve seen nothing new from him. If the idea is to wait until he’s offered a chance with Dortmund or <a href="https://www.intothecalderon.com">Atlético Madrid</a> before he shows his ability to adapt, then we’re never going to find out if the leopard can change his spots.</p>
<h2 id="P1Wfgv"><strong>What Was at Stake</strong></h2>
<p id="RFLMPL">I’d mentioned beforehand, in my preview piece that the Blues probably needed to win at least five of their remaining 14 games to ensure survival - assuming the current ten point deduction stands up on appeal and the club don’t get further penalised by the second independent panel, appointed by the Premier League, at the end of the season. Monday night was a perfect opportunity to steal a march on all of Everton’s other potential rivals, in the fight to beat the drop, and to keep up with Nottingham Forest, the only one of those sides to win over the weekend.</p>
<p id="GKO9tO">After all, the team enjoyed home advantage and the visitors were in bad shape, both on and off the pitch. Roy Hodson’s tenure had eventually come to a messy end, with the South London club poised to fire him last week, before he suddenly fell ill whilst taking training, resulting in several days of uncertainty over the situation. On game day, the 76-year-old veteran stepped down and the club announced the appointment of Oliver Glasner as his replacement, the Austrian taking up a seat at Goodison to watch his new charges in action.</p>
<p id="leBj56">On the pitch the Eagles were enduring a poor run of form and arrived on Merseyside in depleted condition, being without several key players. Marc Guehi, arguably the team’s best defender was out, along with dynamic midfielder Cheick Doucoure, whilst the attack was hobbled by the absence of both Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise. A strong case could be made for the Eagles being deprived of their four best players, putting Everton in a fortuitous position to take full advantage.</p>
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<img alt="Everton FC v Crystal Palace - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H3rp66gyqXCpU6fIiftXinitqg8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25297791/2016307381.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Ayew’s bolt from the blue put Everton in jeopardy</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="aimgPJ">That the Toffees failed to do so, extending their winless streak in the league to nine matches - almost a quarter of the entire schedule - serves to put increased pressure on securing the wins the team needs, with one very winnable game now in the rear view mirror. Of <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com">Everton's</a> six remaining home games, all but one - the Merseyside derby - are against opponents who are likely to adopt a defensive posture, which the team finds difficult to break down. They’ve managed only three victories from 13 at Goodison to date, so anticipating them to pick up four or five more against modest competition appears highly optimistic.</p>
<p id="4e4Ult">On the road Dyche’s tactical approach has served him well this season, with the club having won five from 12. However, the teams Everton will meet on their travels are overall stronger, including visits to places which have proven unforgiving for the Blues, historically and recently. Picking up a win at Old Trafford, St. James’s Park or the Emirates Stadium will be very difficult. Of the others, Luton Town have already beaten the Toffees twice this term, Bournemouth have lost only one of their last six outings at the Vitality Stadium and Brighton & Hove Albion are unbeaten at the Amex since last August, so a rerun of Everton’s shock 5-1 victory last season is improbable.</p>
<p id="zhV4Kl">This is the situation the team finds itself in and it’s up to Dyche to find solutions.</p>
<h2 id="4eS8bg"><strong>Criticism Without Context</strong></h2>
<p id="CJCWLX">The argument coming from some quarters of the Everton fanbase that starting striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin should be dropped is, on paper a strong one, but not one that I agree with. The striker may not physically be what he was following two injury-ravaged years, that much can be acknowledged, but if he’s perhaps lost half a step, then he’s still pretty quick, and he continues to be hard-working, robust and aerially competitive. His hold-up play is solid and he makes the rights runs more often than not. </p>
<p id="3l7Khx">The loss of his regular contributions in large part led Everton into consecutive grim battles to avoid the drop and yes, it has been a disappointment that he’s not scoring now he is fit and available. Never a striker able to fashion his own chances a la Romelu Lukaku, or capable of blasting a shot in from 20 yards, he is essentially a penalty box predator, one who relies on consistent service to get his goals. This isn’t conjecture: over a two-season stretch, between 2019-21, under Marco Silva and - in particular - Carlo Ancelotti, he scored a total of 29 non-penalty goals.</p>
<p id="wxj5gp">Under Dyche he’s been used merely as an aerial battering ram - contesting a mind-boggling 20 aerial duels against an Eagles centre back trio, astonishingly winning 17. How many of those successes ended up with the ball in the possession of an Everton player is another story, so isolated is Calvert-Lewin within the current system. The team’s playing style is rudimentary, lacking any skill and as a result a striker who has plenty of strings to his bow is resembling a lower-league target man.</p>
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<img alt="Everton FC v Crystal Palace - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gHzOWLPaG6e8KpVSwcrLYY1Y1OE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25297660/2023446817.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>The story of the match for DCL</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="8MMGEC">The opportunities he does get - including two half-decent headed chances from around ten yards out - are blown up by some fans as bad misses; for context they were considered to be 0.05 and 0.11 in xG (Expected Goals) terms, so hardly sitters. He <em>is</em> underperforming significantly, having netted just three times from an accumulated xG of 9.03 and it’s interesting to note that he’s yet to score from a header this season and aerial efforts make up half his attempts.</p>
<p id="meHpiQ">Calls for Beto to be given a run of starts are understandable, but misguided. The big Portuguese is fast and powerful, but despite his height he’s not as aerially strong as Calvert-Lewin and his link-up play is lacking. Where he excels is in running off the last defender into space, in a direct counterattacking system, similar to that employed in the early weeks of Rafa Benitez’s time at Everton. Dyche doesn’t set up this way, which is probably why Beto continues to play second fiddle.</p>
<p id="58RvSi"><em>Statistics provided courtesy of </em><a href="http://fbref.com"><em><strong>fbref.com</strong></em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://fotmob.com"><em><strong>fotmob.com</strong></em></a><em><strong> </strong></em></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2024/2/21/24078673/everton-1-1-crystal-palace-three-takeaways-where-will-the-next-win-come-from-dyche-tactics-subsKevin Dyer2024-02-19T10:00:00+00:002024-02-19T10:00:00+00:00Everton vs Crystal Palace: Opposition Analysis | Blues Set to Clip Eagles’ Wings
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<img alt="Crystal Palace v Everton FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XQmaS38-YtnCHs08DEoiZIiQgGs=/0x0:3931x2621/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73149229/1776079966.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><em>The Blues celebrate the team’s 3-2 win over the Eagles last November</em> | Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Toffees simply must take all three points from tonight’s game</p> <p id="GywcUi">The end of the Premier League campaign is now less than three months away, with just over a third of the fixtures remaining. We are entering the business end of the season, where the title is decided, qualification for continental competition secured and relegation from the division determined.</p>
<p id="gLzSno">Everton have failed to win a league game now in over two months: seven in all, with three draws and four defeats. In that period - which admittedly has contained a number of tough matches - the club has slid back into the drop zone and the time has come to reacquire the winning habit.</p>
<p id="qZFyCi">The weekend’s results have seen all but one of the team’s relegation rivals lose; the exception being Nottingham Forest, who pulled off a much-needed home win over West Ham United. On Monday night, the Blues entertain Crystal Palace, in a game which bears all the hallmarks of the classic six-pointer.</p>
<h2 id="lQrr7T"><strong>Form</strong></h2>
<p id="nPDLwM">Following a mid-table finish last term, the London outfit extended their interim manager Roy Hodgson’s contract for a year and spent around €38m on squad reinforcements. The club saw the departure of one-time star man Wilfried Zaha - once reportedly valued by them at over the €90m mark - on a free transfer, in addition to ageing club captain Luka Milivojevic. Arriving were teenage Brazilian forward Matheus Franca, Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, Arsenal defender Rob Holding and midfielder Jefferson Lerma, from Bournemouth.</p>
<p id="hrdR3M">The Eagles had appeared reinvigorated by the return of their old boss late last term and the early signs were that they’d continue to be a solid outfit this season, as they won three of their opening seven league games, with two defeats. Gradually though they started going off the boil, picking up just a lone victory from their next 12 outings - over a struggling Burnley. The South Londoners headed into the January transfer window off a badly needed win against Brentford and strengthened with the acquisition of touted Blackburn Rovers midfield youngster Adam Wharton, along with Colombian full back Daniel Munoz.</p>
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<img alt="Crystal Palace v Chelsea FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BjRejjJWdFAHVihJ5Qa-rqCGMFU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25293317/2006094520.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>One-time Eagle Conor Gallagher puts Chelsea ahead in the 91st minute</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="9PGwHz">The club has continued to spiral, however and three defeats in the last four league games - including hammerings by Arsenal (5-0) and Brighton & Hove Albion (4-1) - served to pile the pressure on veteran boss Hodgson. In their only success, a 3-2 home win over bottom side Sheffield United, the team twice had to come from behind in order to secure the three points. Last time out, Palace led Chelsea and were hanging on to a draw before shipping two goals in added time and tellingly, the boos rang down at Selhurst Park.</p>
<p id="8Z9OZ6">The visitors arrive at Goodison Park in 16th place in the table, five points above Everton.</p>
<h1 id="9l31hS"><strong>Style of Play</strong></h1>
<p id="LLZUAi">This section will not be particularly instructive, given the events of the past few days. Instead, I’ll summarize the team’s current situation. </p>
<p id="OR178g">With rumours abounding that the powers-that-be were moving to replace Hodgson came the sad news that the 76-year-old had been admitted to hospital after being taken ill during a team training session. Thankfully, the former England manager appears to be making a good recovery, but he certainly won’t be in the dugout at Goodison amid reports that he’s coached his last game at Palace and is due to be replaced imminently by former Eintracht Frankfurt chief Oliver Glasner.</p>
<p id="UVQKEy">Quite who will take charge of the team tonight is anyone’s guess, as will the tactics employed and players fielded.</p>
<p id="wKIoBm">Key men in Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Cheick Doucoure and Marc Guehi will be missing for the Everton match and it’s fair to say that the loss of such influential players has contributed strongly to the team’s poor performance this term. Eze and Olise are serious attacking talents, yet both have missed substantial portions of the season, whereas Guehi is a quality ball-playing defender and Doucoure a force in the midfield engine room. Losing these assets would derail any middling Premier League side.</p>
<p id="gkuDzw">Of Palace’s new players, Lerma has been the most impactful, having started 22 games in all competitions. Franca was only handed his first league start of the campaign against Chelsea last week, whereas winter arrivals Wharton and Munoz have appeared in both of the Eagles’ two most recent outings.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Everton v Crystal Palace - Emirates FA Cup - Third Round - Replay - Goodison Park" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZV4LkGub8spBg8CvdwYdo6mnXt8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25293321/1933424103.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Andersen will try to hold the Palace defence together</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<h1 id="TqhDj8"><strong>Player Assessment</strong></h1>
<p id="hBvvBw">Henderson has recently replaced Sam Johnstone in goal, but his numbers haven’t been great. The 26-year-old has conceded 20 times in eight league appearances, 2.7 more than could have been expected considering the quality of shots he’s faced. His save percentage sits at 57.8, which puts him in the bottom percentile of goalkeepers across Europe’s top divisions.</p>
<p id="GICcoV">Joachim Andersen will be charged with holding the visitors’ backline together. He’s well-suited to repelling the sort of direct football often displayed by the Toffees, particularly crosses from deep positions. The rugged Dane wins 63.8% of his aerial duels and makes 4.96 clearances per 90 minutes. He reads the game well, but isn’t quick or mobile.</p>
<h2 id="Hgc8qb"><strong>Solution</strong></h2>
<p id="GP94J6">Given Everton’s current predicament, sitting 18th, a point behind Luton Town, having played a game more and without any league wins in two months, the side needs to get going and restore some momentum. During that barren run, the Blues have played both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur twice each, as well as Aston Villa, so it’s been a tough sequence and not one that the side has actually performed badly in.</p>
<p id="7YyZPQ">Player absences, due to injury or international duty have strained a limited squad and this has to be taken into account. Mercifully, Abdoulaye Doucoure, who has morphed into the catalyst for Everton’s success on the pitch, is due to return to action tonight. This should remove some of the burden in front of goal from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has been the recipient of sustained criticism from some quarters of the fan base in recent weeks, unfairly in my view.</p>
<p id="XsM9xM">Context is everything and Calvert-Lewin missing a few presentable chances has been only part of the story. The quality of service he’s receiving, from out wide and also through the middle has been poor and often he’s been left isolated, due to a lack of support. A lone striker with nobody near him is going to struggle to get anything going and this is both a systemic problem, given the way Everton play and also due to the limitations of the personnel available to Sean Dyche.</p>
<p id="xTOfj0">Yes, he’s on a long scoreless run, but I’m constantly hearing and seeing this referenced without it being acknowledged that Calvert-Lewin <em>did </em>find the back of the net just <em>two </em>games ago - against Spurs. That his headed effort brushed against an unaware Jack Harrison on the way in, resulting in the latter being awarded credit for the strike was unjust, but how some fans don’t see that as DCL’s goal, in order to perversely insist that he’s now gone 18 games without converting, I find puzzling.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Everton v Crystal Palace - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/z3aNTfidFxIJF9Drhs-EknYRytI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25293300/1241197506.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Calvert-Lewin powers home Everton’s third goal against Palace as the team beat the drop two years ago</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="1oUvYH">Regardless, Calvert-Lewin has a great record against Palace and it’s a no-brainer to start him, with Doucoure providing running power and a threat from in behind. Harrison will be moved to the right and I can see Dyche deploying Ashley Young at full back, unless Seamus Coleman is ready to play from the start. In midfield, I can see Amadou Onana returning alongside Idrissa Gueye, with the ever-available James Garner, who’s played a lot of minutes potentially missing out.</p>
<p id="5UP74Q">I hear talk that this game is a must-not-lose for the Toffees and I can’t agree with that assessment. The visitors are in poor form, without a manager and are wrecked by injuries to key players - to a much greater degree than anything experienced by Everton this term. Ignoring the possibility of the Blues seeing any points restored via the ongoing appeal process, they will need to win at least five of their remaining 14 fixtures. If a home match against a struggling, injury-ravaged Eagles side is not one of those five games, then it’ll be a missed opportunity; I can’t see it any other way.</p>
<p id="8DiyyP"><em>Prediction: Everton 2-0 Palace</em></p>
<p id="VVQali"><em>Statistics provided courtesy of </em><a href="http://fbref.com"><em><strong>fbref.com</strong></em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://transfermarkt.com"><em><strong>transfermarkt.com</strong></em></a><em> </em></p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2024/2/19/24058962/everton-vs-crystal-palace-opposition-tactical-analysis-hodgson-glasner-dyche-eze-olise-guehiKevin Dyer2024-02-13T10:00:00+00:002024-02-13T10:00:00+00:00Manchester City 2-0 Everton: Three Takeaways | Blues Hang Tough but Leave With Nada
<figure>
<img alt="Manchester City v Everton FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xj-Jj_koYEMPFegAGRbRKBfi4kE=/0x0:5388x3592/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73135277/2000319214.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><em>It’s 2-0 and the Blues can refocus on more pivotal matches</em> | Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><em>Everton must look ahead to more winnable games than this</em></p> <h2 id="tFRaHM"><strong>Being Realistic</strong></h2>
<p id="KMPIqL">Saturday’s match against <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/"><strong>Manchester City</strong></a> at the Etihad Stadium, which ended in a comfortable 2-0 win for the hosts, unfolded pretty much as anticipated. Sadly, since <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/"><strong>Everton</strong></a>’s last away victory against the current defending league champions, back in 2010, the gap on the pitch between the two clubs has widened to Grand Canyon scale. The visitors’ latest defeat stretches the winless run for the Blues against the Mancunians to 15 in all competitions, the only positive results being a pair of draws, both secured on away turf.</p>
<p id="78rxTO">So, Sean Dyche’s approach to the game at the weekend was a sound one: to be pragmatic, press energetically in a disciplined fashion, avoid costly mistakes and to take full advantage of what figured to be limited opportunities in the final third. This, the team carried out at a near-optimal level during a competitive opening period, with the important exception of that last point - capitalising on transitional situations. The Blues contained the hyper-dangerous City frontman, Erling Haaland and generally restricted the hosts in an attacking sense.</p>
<p id="huZpsN">The Citizens didn’t manage a shot until the 19th minute and Pep Guardiola cut a frustrated figure in the technical area as he watched his team pass the ball around a little lethargically, allowing the visitors to shuffle across from side to side, maintaining their defensive cohesion. A half-chance from a Haaland header was the most threatening the hosts got and they trudged in at half-time having failed to trouble Jordan Pickford. Most dangerous for City was the rapid left winger Jeremy Doku, who was able to trouble <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com">Everton</a>’s right back Ben Godfrey throughout. The 21-year-old completed five of eight dribbles and carried the ball ten times into the opposition penalty area.</p>
<p id="QVePNq">The Blues defender departed ten minutes after the restart, and had struggled with the pacy winger, having been dribbled past three times from four attempts and managed only a single tackle. Still, even when Doku had broken through down the flank the Everton defence had dealt well with his crosses and City were held to an xG (Expected Goals) tally of 0.68. If the visitors could maintain their effort, then a result appeared possible.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Manchester City v Everton FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/R3Gn_4ybTqNiUcGwxYc8YR5AZeY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25282726/1993160061.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>City sub De Bruyne on, so what are you going to do?</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="CgAK0m">Sadly, the hosts turned the tempo of the game up a notch in the second half and were able to introduce substitutes of the calibre of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva. Everton’s intensity had dropped off onwards the end of the first period and flatlined after the break. With no pressure being put on the ball, the Toffees dropped deeper and lacked an out-ball. Eventually, the team’s Achilles’ heel appeared once again and they conceded to another set-piece goal, on the ninth occasion in league outings. It was game over at that point and Haaland’s breakaway with five minutes to play merely cemented City’s superiority. </p>
<h2 id="t6AoZe"><strong>Taking Chances</strong></h2>
<p id="HDYD9f">The Blues had pressured the hosts effectively in the first 45 minutes, causing turnovers in possession a number of times. Unfortunately, if Everton are poor at actually converting chances - and their xG now stands at 36.0, ten higher than the team’s number of goals scored - then they are absolutely terrible at developing promising situations in the final third in any meaningful, or consistent capacity. </p>
<p id="MwQ2zZ">Time and again, the visitors would win the ball, or make an interception, but the player in possession would either not see someone offering a supporting run, fail to complete the next pass, or take a hopelessly optimistic shot - as Dominic Calvert-Lewin chose to do in the 15th minute. Despite creating a number of potential opportunities to inflict damage on the home side, Everton ended up taking just three shots in the first half, for an xG of 0.27.</p>
<p id="bfHtuX">Playing a team like City, however is tiring and the team’s gas tank looked at a decidedly low level in the second half. The Blues had put some pressure on, but the hosts still posted a 91% pass completion percentage and enjoyed a 74% share of possession. Everton had failed to take advantage of what would surely prove to be infrequent chances and their threat diminished from low, to negligible in the second period; an xG of just 0.05 from two long-range efforts.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Manchester City v Everton FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9fNv6OfD43sZpVkPPtAoXKtGVyk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25282735/2000146231.jpg">
<cite>Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Harrison had a rare decent chance at goal but his execution was poor</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="ZFZMF6"><strong>Looking Forward</strong></p>
<p id="kvYdn3">Everton’s winless streak in the league now extends all the way back to December 16th. While acknowledging that this barren run was never likely to end at the Etihad, this still represents a return of just three points from seven games - a sizeable chunk of the campaign - and has to be a concern. Over that span, the team’s already seriously underperforming attack - in terms of goals scored compared to its xG - has continued.</p>
<p id="ppdXYk">In those seven matches, the Toffees have scored four times, from an xG of 9.1, a deficit of 5.1. If this was just a poor run of chance conversion, at odds with what we’ve seen from the rest of the campaign, it could be written off as a statistical outlier, but this is not the case. As already mentioned, Everton have now scored ten goals less than the data models suggest they should have and to a slightly lesser extent this deficiency continues into last season, after Dyche’s arrival at the end of January.</p>
<p id="EFKrGw">The Blues had the completely unsuitable Neal Maupay - or a winger in Demarai Gray - leading the line during the second half of last season, so a lack of cutting edge in the final third was understandable and something the manager just had to work around. This term, the club’s primary centre forward, Calvert-Lewin, rendered a bit-part player over the previous two campaigns due to a variety of injury problems, has been fit and available, posting close to 1,400 league minutes and starting 17 times. </p>
<p id="1GU2yV">Last summer, the club brought in a viable alternate striker, in Beto a man who - whilst not prolific - had scored double figure league goals in consecutive Serie A campaigns with Udinese, along with the inexperienced, but promising teenage forward Youssef Chermiti. The team added Jack Harrison, a semi-regular scorer at <a href="https://throughitalltogether.sbnation.com">Leeds United</a> who averaged seven goals per season and Arnaut Danjuma, who’d fired ten for La Liga outfit <a href="https://www.villarrealusa.com/">Villarreal</a> during the 2021-2022 campaign, so a need was recognized and appropriate signings made within Everton’s limited budget in order to address it.</p>
<p id="9aSth8">Without the ten points deducted from the club as a penalty for a breach of the Premier League’s PSR rules, Everton would sit joint 12th with Fulham, on 29 points - a position of relative safety with 14 games left to play. This remarkable turnaround in the team’s fortunes by comparison to the previous two seasons, where the Blues just skirted relegation, is down to many things, an improved solidity and defensive structure being a major one. Currently, the team has conceded the joint fifth fewest goals in the division.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-EVERTON" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dEkIFSL31Pnf0Rfgb0Wa-hRxcEw=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25282744/1992559077.jpg">
<cite>Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>The Toffees are sturdy defensively but need to score more goals</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="DnAfzr">However, a lack of goals is becoming a major problem, as the club will probably need to find at least five wins during what remains of the campaign and victories require efficient chance conversion. Everton have only hit 12 goals from open play and one in transition, by comparison to 13 from set-pieces. This is too one-dimensional. The Blues only really threaten meaningfully from set-piece situations and this route was predictably a non-factor at the Etihad, with the team failing to get high enough up the pitch in wide areas to win any corners. </p>
<p id="ENYiHA">Dyche has to intensify the work on attacking schemes in training and commit to giving players who are invariably offered few minutes, or starts more opportunities to step up and add to the team’s goal threat. Everton need to beat Crystal Palace next Monday evening and cannot just rely on a dead ball attack.</p>
<p id="KXHaRX"><em>Statistics provided courtesy of </em><a href="http://fbref.com"><em><strong>fbref.com</strong></em></a><em>, </em><a href="http://whoscored.com"><em><strong>whoscored.com</strong></em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://fotmob.com"><em><strong>fotmob.com</strong></em></a><em> </em></p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2024/2/13/24070913/manchester-city-2-0-everton-three-takeaways-guardiola-dyche-blues-hang-tough-but-leave-with-nadaKevin Dyer2024-02-10T05:08:28+00:002024-02-10T05:08:28+00:00Everton at Manchester City: Opposition Analysis | Blues Travel With Hope, Not Expectation
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<img alt="Everton FC v Manchester City - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/X8NdksTpS0Nt80kzPAz022nqnxA=/48x0:4212x2776/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73127894/1888120662.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><em>Dominic Calvert-Lewin must step up today</em> | Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><em>The Toffees face arguably their toughest challenge of the season at the Etihad</em></p> <p id="xWIMHr"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/"><strong>Everton </strong></a>dodged a bullet last weekend via a last-gasp equalizer from Jarrad Branthwaite in securing a draw at Goodison Park against <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/"><strong>Tottenham Hotspur</strong></a>. That result would enable the Blues to remain trailing Luton Town by a point - having played a game more - following the Hatters’ eight-goal stalemate with <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/"><strong>Newcastle United</strong></a>, at St. James’s Park later in the day.</p>
<p id="k60B7r">It could have turned out much worse for Sean Dyche’s side, as Luton had been leading the Magpies by two goals and were en route to a shocking victory midway through the second half. The Bedfordshire outfit entertain bottom-ranked Sheffield United at home on Saturday in a match they’ll be heavily favoured to win.</p>
<p id="QxpzcH">In the meantime, the Blues kick off the weekend’s action with a visit to the Etihad Stadium, to face defending Premier League champions <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/"><strong>Manchester City</strong></a>.</p>
<h2 id="6OGm78"><strong>Form</strong></h2>
<p id="AwlD8v">The Mancunians responded to <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/"><strong>Arsenal</strong></a>’s unexpected title challenge last term by putting together a typically stunning sequence of results, breaking the Gunners by banking an amazing 43 from 45 possible points from February through June. In doing so, Pep Guardiola won his third consecutive domestic championship with City, along with finally securing victory in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> final.</p>
<p id="cRIHr9">With no lands left to conquer, what does such a dominant operation do next? The answer, of course was to reinforce in order to do it all over again. During the summer, the club spent a net €137m, adding the touted Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol for €90m, electric left winger Jeremy Doku from Stade Rennais for €60m, experienced <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/"><strong>Chelsea</strong></a> midfielder Mateo Kovacic for €29m and - inexplicably, splashing €62m to bring Matheus Nunes over from Wolverhampton Wanderers, after the player’s 12 underwhelming months in the Black Country.</p>
<p id="lrcxMU">Departing the Etihad for pastures new were a few stalwarts in Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Ilkay Gundogan, along with the exciting academy graduate Cole Palmer, surprisingly sold off to Chelsea for €47m, which now looks to be a serious bargain for the London club.</p>
<p id="17Vgf2">The champions started off their title defence as expected, winning six on the bounce before hitting a tricky patch in late September, getting dumped out of the Carabao Cup by <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com">Newcastle</a> and losing back-to-back league games, to Wolves and Arsenal. They responded well, with a trio of domestic victories, before stumbling again, being held by both Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea, and then losing to <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/"><strong>Aston Villa</strong></a>; in that defeat at Villa Park, they were astonishingly held to only two efforts on goal in being comprehensively outplayed; an unusual sight to say the least.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Brentford FC v Manchester City - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/e2OB94bemN0b6MuiaT_VZmAtoHk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25278153/1981167581.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>De Bruyne has been a key performer for City since his return from injury</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="wIFxjc">Since, however City’s form has been ominous. The North West outfit have gone ten unbeaten in all competitions, including winning six and drawing one of their seven league outings. They now sit two points behind current leaders <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/"><strong>Liverpool</strong></a>, with a game in hand on their rivals. They await <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com">Everton</a> coming off a 3-1 victory over Brentford.</p>
<h2 id="6ke0lh"><strong>Style of Play</strong></h2>
<p id="p1EXIp">Guardiola’s approach to winning (i.e. dominating) football matches is well-established by now, a suffocating possession-heavy style derived from the tiki taka of his days at <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/"><strong>Barcelona</strong></a>. He’s reasonably flexible in terms of formation, lately favouring a 4-2-3-1, and though his principles have remained the same - keeping the ball on the ground, stretching the opposition defence with width and a control of space, he’s added a couple of strings to his bow.</p>
<p id="oPwFHf">Firstly, there was addition of the non-prototype Guardiola front man that is Erling Haaland and this season, the integration of the rapid dribbler Doku. The former is not as involved in build-up play as is normal for a City player under the Catalan manger and the latter’s tendency to take on defenders is not the first thing one thinks of when assessing the team’s established tactical doctrine, which emphasises suffocating control.</p>
<p id="sAdc1p">Offensively, the The Sky Blues are as overawing as always. They’ve netted 54 times in the league from an xG (Expected Goals) tally of 43.6, a big overachievement, but not unexpected considering the quality of player in the squad. Unsurprisingly, they rank top in share of possession (65.2%) and pass accuracy (90.3%) and are behind only <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> in attempts per 90 minutes, with 17.1. They’ve scored the most open play goals (40) in the division and only 6.5% of their passing is classed as long.</p>
<p id="oXjoN5">City’s xGA (Expected Goals Allowed) stands at 21.6, though the champions have actually conceded 25 times. However, they do face the lowest number of shots in the division, just 8.0 per game.</p>
<h2 id="YMur1t"><strong>Player Assessment</strong></h2>
<p id="Tme15e">Sadly, Haaland’s recent return from a near two-month injury absence means he’s almost certain to start against Everton today, having played 85 minutes against Brentford last weekend. Whilst the Norwegian didn’t score, he does have 14 league goals so far this term, not quite at the level of last season’s epic haul, but dangerous enough. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Brentford FC v Manchester City - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/88uAZ3kAOHn0ywyfJ9qUuJE1Fq0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25278149/1981167186.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Foden bags his third against the Bees</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="WxMiTd">Also back in the side and looking exactly like his old self, Kevin De Bruyne is leading the team in SCA (Shot-Creating Actions) per 90, with 7.46. The 32-year-old Belgian midfielder is completing an average of 6.09 passes into the opposition penalty area per game.</p>
<p id="uDWRun">Phil Foden registered a hattrick against the Bees and looks to be approaching his peak as a player. He’s been operating more centrally recently, though with City’s fluidity and the 23-year-old’s mobility and intelligent movement he could pop up anywhere.</p>
<h2 id="MP5gJA"><strong>Solution</strong></h2>
<p id="58N65v">Obviously, it almost goes without saying that this is potentially Everton’s toughest match of the season. Whilst the Anfield derby holds a special place in the fixture list for rewarding the Blues with meagre results year after year, a visit to the Etihad to face the world’s best club side is a daunting prospect.</p>
<p id="34weWq">The Toffees will see little of the ball, though this won’t displease Dyche overmuch. The visitors figure to be be penned in so deep within their own half that their system’s greatest weak spot - a vulnerability to the switch pass - should not be too much of a factor, with the wingers already likely to be providing close support to Everton’s fullbacks. The side generally demonstrate discipline and great commitment to the cause, so should not be easy for the hosts to play through, or around.</p>
<p id="VrXq0x">For long stretches this will resemble an attack vs. defence training session. The Toffees must not overcommit defensively and absolutely cannot afford to make any rash errors - particularly giving up free kicks in dangerous areas, or conceding penalties. Doing so will make an arduous task virtually impossible. If they can stay calm and solid for 90 minutes, which will be tough considering how much of the play will be within the visitor’s third of the pitch, then they have a chance.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Everton FC v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/c2ohWMJ6XeFK0zw9k-t0Enriq_8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25278145/1982627265.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption><em>Coleman came off the bench last weekend but figures to start today</em></figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="E2bn12">To achieve a result, the Blues surely will have to take one of the few opportunities to hurt City that they will get. Consistency in front of goal has been an ongoing issue for the team all through the campaign, but they have to show some composure today. The hosts defend set-pieces very well, having shipped just two goals from that route all season, though the Blues must still hope to take advantage if they can. Another possibility for Everton will in transition, with City having conceded four goals from counterattacks this term. Whether Everton have enough pace in the side to exploit this slight vulnerability is questionable.</p>
<p id="AVoCRs">I’m anticipating a largely unchanged lineup for the visitors, with Seamus Coleman probably coming in for Ben Godfrey at right back being the sole exception. If everything goes about as well as could be hoped for, then the Toffees could take a valuable point from the Etihad, though far more probable is a fairly comfortable win for the home side.</p>
<p id="CRlLGD"><em>Prediction: Man City 2-0 Everton</em></p>
<p id="lsCcEZ"><em>Statistics provided courtesy of </em><a href="http://fbref.com/"><em><strong>fbref.com</strong></em></a><em>, </em><a href="http://whoscored.com/"><em><strong>whoscored.com</strong></em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://transfermarkt.co.uk/"><em><strong>transfermarkt.co.uk</strong></em></a></p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2024/2/10/24068116/manchester-city-everton-opposition-analysis-blues-travel-with-hope-not-expectation-dyche-guardiolaKevin Dyer