Royal Blue Mersey - Everton at Leicester City: Premier League Matchday 18
It's a grand old team to support
https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png
2016-12-30T04:56:51+00:00
http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/13844207
2016-12-30T04:56:51+00:00
2016-12-30T04:56:51+00:00
Everton during the Christmas period: Writer Prediction League
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<img alt="Southampton v Everton - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/em7ZtYUfMzGjGiJGg2N0MYfncag=/0x0:3873x2582/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52453197/626129264.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Our writers have their say on the Toffees’ three matches within the next week.</p> <p id="ED4Csb">Every week this season, our intrepid writing staff has put their intelligence and foresight to the test, predicting several factors in each Everton match. They choose the player they believe will score the match’s first goal, the Toffee they believe will be Everton’s man of the match, and the final score of the game.</p>
<p id="0Aab1J">It’s been entertaining — but not exactly impressive! </p>
<p id="hZOltg">Last week’s predictions against Liverpool were no different. Buoyed by the club’s success against Arsenal, our writers were confident the Toffees could find a result against Jurgen Klopp’s side. As you well know, they were beaten at the death by Sadio Mane.</p>
<p id="F7kEYX">That was bad news for Everton, but good news for a few of us in the prediction league. Those predictions are below, with correct guesses in bold.</p>
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<p id="UIkU6j">Calvin, Mike, and I were all rewarded for our lack of faith in Everton with two points. No one picked the correct score (1-0), opening goalscorer (Mane), or Everton man of the match (Seamus Coleman). This result gave us a bit of a change at the top of the table.</p>
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<p id="K2AxPl">Calvin has joined Sean at the top of the table with 28 points, while I’ve closed the gap atop the table to just one point. </p>
<p id="hbLUIJ">This week brings a huge opportunity for movement in the table, as Everton plays three matches! The Toffees begin with a trip to Leicester City on Boxing Day, then to Hull City on the 30th, finally ending with a home match against Southampton on January 2.</p>
<p id="zcbYeR">RBM’s writers have made their potentially season-defining predictions for this crucial portion of the schedule. Their choices are below.</p>
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<p id="nZzK6g">[Everton won 2-0, with Mirallas scoring first goal and Joel Robles MOTM for the Blues]</p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/25/14078100/everton-christmas-period-prediction-league-leicester-city-hull-city-southampton
Adam.Braun
2016-12-28T18:14:41+00:00
2016-12-28T18:14:41+00:00
Everton at Leicester City: Tactical Analysis
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<img alt="Everton v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GZ2QhlifIpY0EJPLhRP1ot-S0yA=/0x0:3270x2180/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52488443/630262718.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Toffees managed to beat an undermanned Leicester City squad, but Monday’s tweaks won’t solve Everton’s current problems</p> <p id="IvqW0E">With the way the last two months have gone for Everton, I’m in no position to complain about the Toffees getting three points from a match. The victory against Leicester City kicks off the festive period in a positive manner, with very winnable matches against Hull City and Southampton to come in the next week.</p>
<p id="YkW4Kv">But let’s be clear — this was a victory over a club in 16th place that was missing its top -choice left-back, center-back, and striker — and the Toffees needed some schoolboy defending to get themselves into the lead anyway. The victory was important, but the route to success in this match is not sustainable against most clubs.</p>
<p id="MCTvis">To start, let’s look at Everton’s starting lineup from the match.</p>
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<p id="djT5gY">Koeman reverted back to the 5-2-3 / 3-4-3 that he used to start the season. Aaron Lennon and Kevin Mirallas played up top in support of Romelu Lukaku. Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman played as the wing-backs, while Mason Holgate was selected over Phil Jagielka as part of the back three.</p>
<p id="5wbl0v">I’m opposed to this formation against most opposition, but I can see what Koeman was thinking in choosing this lineup. Two of the potential benefits of this lineup included:</p>
<p id="xLBJ2f">The back three allows the full-backs to get more involved in the attack, which was important for two reasons. First, Baines and Coleman are two of Everton’s more creative players, and given the team’s attacking struggles, they could be a catalyst for creating more chances. </p>
<p id="uN3mQq">Second, getting the full-backs into more advanced wide areas could give Lennon and Mirallas license to drift more toward the middle channel, supporting the oft-isolated Lukaku.</p>
<p id="Jsexd0">Neither of these really came to fruition though. Neither Baines nor Coleman completed a pass or cross into the box, and neither Lennon nor Mirallas provided adequate support for Lukaku until Koeman made a tweak in the second half (more to come on that later).</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ycbjHd">
<p id="Vc6N5q">The back three also, at least in theory, created an ideal defensive setup to handle Leicester City’s preferred method of creating chances, the counter attack. Claudio Ranieri’s side thrives when the opposition commits significant numbers into the attack then turns the ball over, creating odd-man situations for Leicester.</p>
<p id="4W1YgD">By utilizing the three-man backline, Koeman substantially mitigated the danger associated with Leicester’s attack. Three Everton defenders were always present to deal with the Foxes’ attacks — so the numbers favored the Toffees in those situations, but Everton’s successful defense was about more than just numbers.</p>
<p id="8vYHg6">The outside center-backs, Ramiro Funes Mori and Mason Holgate, have both spent time playing as out-and-out full-backs — these players are comfortable chasing opposing players out along the side if needed. Often, the downfall of a back-three comes when big, slow center-backs are forced to defend in wide positions in the absence of the true full-backs. </p>
<p id="Iiwbw6">With Funes Mori, who plays left-back for Argentina, and Holgate, who played right-back for Everton earlier this season, this was a non-issue. It must be said then, that Koeman’s plan for shutting down Leicester City’s attack was very effective. It’s Everton’s attack in this formation that was the problem.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="N4rJdX">
<p id="t40s45">In the 5-2-3, Koeman’s team found itself in a bit of a conundrum. Without a third central midfielder, the Toffees struggled mightily to find connections between the backline and the midfield. This made slow buildups out of the back nearly impossible.</p>
<p id="u3XaWZ">But, the wingers didn’t pinch centrally enough to provide consistent support to Lukaku, so playing long balls to the big Belgian was out of the question as well.</p>
<p id="b3Y3QR">In the opening half hour, Everton settled on launching hopeful long balls down the right toward Lennon, presumably in an effort to isolate 20-year-old Ben Chilwell, Leicester’s fill-in left-back. </p>
<p id="Bnf0E9">The result was a passmap from the first half hour that looked like this:</p>
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<p id="VoCV6w">It’s a ton of passes between the three center-backs, a lot of long balls launched down the right wing, and not much else. </p>
<p id="RX52zI">If Koeman wanted to test Chilwell in the opening third of the match, that’s a totally fair plan — but he completely botched the personnel choice that accompanied that tactical plan. </p>
<p id="X6kKaT">Lennon has been at his best for Everton when he’s the off-winger, the player lurking on the weak side and making runs toward the center. Mirallas has always been at his best when he’s in the middle of the action, getting the ball into his feet, making passes, taking shots, and taking defenders on.</p>
<p id="VHxVU8">But, putting Lennon on the right and Mirallas on the left took both players away from their strengths and made an unimpressive attacking plan even less palatable.</p>
<p id="QH7oti">Around the 30th minute, the Toffees did change up the game plan, beginning to utilize the left side more frequently.</p>
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<p id="2VVhGA">Still, there isn’t a whole lot to speak of in terms of quality attacking chances. The first half ended with Mirallas nearly latching on to a shot / cross inside the box, but it was Everton’s first real chance of the half.</p>
<p id="OzWUyb">In the second half, Koeman utilized a slightly different setup — one that I don’t think is any more viable in the long term, but admittedly did lead Everton to victory in this match.</p>
<p id="gdPifx">At times, the Toffees remained in the 5-2-3, but they also frequently shifted into the formation below:</p>
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<p id="Hrh0to">The 5-2-3 turned into a 5-2-3 / 4-4-1-1 hybrid. When in the 5-2-3, Lennon moved to the left and Mirallas to the right, making a switch into the 4-4-1-1 more straightforward. In the 4-4-1-1, Mirallas played as a second striker just off Lukaku, while Lennon moved into a more conservative left midfield role.</p>
<p id="lRhgB6">Baines dropped back into a traditional left-back role, while Funes Mori slide alongside Williams. Holgate played as a traditional right-back, while Coleman moved more directly in front of him as a midfielder.</p>
<p id="8O12uI">Slotting Mirallas into the middle gave Lukaku a little extra support and forced Leicester’s defenders to worry about more than just the big Belgian — at least in theory! As you well know, in practice, Leicester’s center-backs all but forgot about Mirallas in the 50th minute, letting him slide through to chase down a harmless long ball from Joel Robles.</p>
<p id="yr9hQ7">Surely such a rudimentary goal wasn’t exactly what Koeman had in mind when he moved Mirallas into the middle, but it ultimately fit the idea of moving the Belgian into the middle — to provide support to Lukaku in the center when chasing long balls out of the back.</p>
<p id="xz67ku">It must be said though, the tweak didn’t make Everton’s second half passmap look any better than that of the first half:</p>
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<p id="CaBJM6">There’s a monumental gap in the central channel in the final third, where basically nothing happened all match for the Toffees. Mirallas’ unconventional goal was enough to force Leicester to chase the match, opening up a chance for Lukaku to put the match away late — but outside of Gueye’s missed chance, Everton created precious few good opportunities in the run of play in the second half either. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="1j6gIE">
<p id="T48YRh">In all, Koeman’s plan for Leicester made sense from a defensive perspective. He completely shut down Ranieri’s preferred method for creating chances, keeping Joel’s job easy in front of the Everton goal.</p>
<p id="TD4AFX">In attack though, the Toffees needed a weak concession from the Foxes to get in front and change the course of the match. Against a Hull City side that will surely adopt a very deep line on Friday, Koeman and Everton will not be able to rely on such a gift — there must be a better plan in place for the rest of the festive period if the Toffees are to build on this momentum.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/28/14088546/everton-leicester-city-tactical-analysis-premier-league-2016-koeman-ranieri-three-man-defense
Adam.Braun
2016-12-27T13:08:55+00:00
2016-12-27T13:08:55+00:00
Everton 2 Leicester City 0: Toffees take three points at defending champs
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<img alt="Leicester City v Everton - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ThqBLLq_jtv1CSFjJnIWLswHXEk=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52463435/630545282.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Three Thoughts from Everton’s victory against defending champs Leicester</p> <h1 id="5hE1qu">Joel Robles shines in goal</h1>
<p id="uHRWV7">With Maarten Stekelenberg out of the line up with injury, Joel Robles was called upon to make only his second start. In both games he kept a clean sheet in with identical 2-0 victories (Everton beat West Ham United 2-0 nearly two months ago). The sight of Robles in net has rarely inspired confidence in the coaching staff or supporters of this club, but the Spaniard put in an impressive performance against Leicester. Not only did he make the easy saves, but he made a crucial save when Leonardo Ulloa got a free header away just feet from the goal. The ball was fortunately directed into the waiting hands of Robles, but his quick reactions kept the score in Everton’s favor. </p>
<p id="nJvDNb">Even more impressive though, was Robles’ command of the penalty area throughout the match. While Stekelenberg has been solid in net for Everton, Robles showed an uncanny confidence and ability in leaving his line and snatching crosses and lobbed passes out of the air. As Leicester pushed forward looking for an equalizer, Robles was able to relieve the pressure time and time again by adeptly taking the ball out of the air and quashing the opposing attacks. </p>
<p id="EveaSv">I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the beauty of an assist Robles provided on the opening goal of the match. In the most direct goal possible, Joel thumped the ball down the pitch and found a streaking Kevin Mirallas for what would be the deciding goal. This may not be a viable strategy going forward, but it was nonetheless an impressive kick by Robles. </p>
<aside id="5QKTEE"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Koeman says Everton did a good job today","url":"http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/26/14082480/koeman-says-everton-did-a-good-job-today-managers-post-match-comments-everton-2-leicester-0"}]}'></div></aside><h1 id="5fXjGc">Tom Davies gets another chance to impress</h1>
<p id="asafha">When 18-year-old Tom Davies entered the match for Gareth Barry I’m sure more than a few of us watching the game were left scratching our heads. With Everton’s tenuous lead still intact, it seemed a bit odd to sub out one of our better defensive players for the talented but largely unproven Davies. However, any doubts were quickly squashed as the youngster put on an impressive display in central midfield. Davies may not have the tactical acumen of Barry, or the strength in defensive situations, but he skillfully moved the ball around the pitch, made smart runs and consistently moved the ball into open space. </p>
<p id="mgeTEk">The confidence Davies showed was impressive as well. Clearly not bothered by the bright lights of the Premier League, he never looked nervous and even took a crack or two at goal when given the space. Moving forward Davies should certainly be getting looks ahead of a player like Tom Cleverley. The youngster appears to offer that creativity and skill that Everton have been lacking and could certainly be a change of pace over the players we are used to seeing in central midfield for Everton. </p>
<aside id="PQBJy7"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Davies impresses Koeman, will we see more youngsters in the squad now?","url":"http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/26/14082832/davies-impresses-koeman-will-we-see-more-youngsters-in-everton-squad-now-holgate-calvert-lewin"}]}'></div></aside><h1 id="XmI7Rg">Everton finally close out a match</h1>
<p id="isOnKM">This was the first time since October 30th against West Ham that Everton have taken a lead late into the second half and actually kept it. Too many times this season Everton have gone behind and then desperately hoof the ball towards goal in search of a late game equalizer to steal a point. Rarely have they dictated the terms of the game themselves. While things certainly looked shaky at times, Everton took the lead and didn’t necessarily sit back and pray for the final whistle. </p>
<p id="0jkB28">Sure, they went into a more defensive posture as the game wore on, but they were still moving the ball forward and looking to seal the match with a second goal. That second goal finally came when the team actually played to Romelu Lukaku’s strengths. Ross Barkley’s clearance gave Lukaku the opportunity to run at the ball in open space as opposed to heading it down to nobody, as has often been the case this season. While not the most adept dribbler, the striker was able to use his strength to muscle through Leicester’s defense and seal the victory for Everton. With Lukaku’s isolation up top still a glaring issue, perhaps Everton would do well to give the striker the opportunity to run with the ball in space. If these opportunities become more abundant, I think it’s fair to say that we might see the Belgian’s goal numbers soar as well. </p>
<aside id="wuSZw5"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Lukaku will normally score one-on-one","url":"http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/26/14082958/romelu-lukaku-will-normally-score-one-on-one-ronald-koeman-everton-2-leicester-0"}]}'></div></aside>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/27/14083736/everton-2-leicester-city-0-everton-take-three-points-from-leicester-champs-joel-davies-lukaku
mralbaugh
2016-12-27T10:00:01+00:00
2016-12-27T10:00:01+00:00
Everton at Leicester City: Extended Highlights
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<img alt="Leicester City v Everton - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pF8tqwKNSu4WLwr8a7KpL7yBhNc=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52463905/630546868.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>All the goals, chances, saves and more</p> <p id="6FcsKI">Everton beat defending Premier League champions Leicester City 2-0 yesterday with Belgians Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku netting the goals. </p>
<p id="GMutas">The Blues were quite awful in the first half as they struggled to get the ball out of their own half. For all the possession that Leicester had though, they were unable to convert it into anything meaningful. </p>
<aside id="70g3e8"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton will not wear Chang logo for Boxing Day game","url":"http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/24/14074788/everton-chang-logo-boxing-day-when-you-wish-upon-a-star-my-christmas-dream-is-you-carly-paoli"}]}'></div></aside><p id="a7XtxH">Early in the second half, Everton out-Leicestered their hosts, relying on a clearance from Joel Robles that got to Kevin Mirallas who then capitalized on confusion between the two centerbacks to slot home the opener. </p>
<p id="Ktav4i">Everton then sat back and absorbed all the pressure that the home side threw at them. Apart from one free header, there was little else the Foxes got right in Everton’s defensive third. </p>
<aside id="Nd9iFX"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Koeman says Everton did a good job today","url":"http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/26/14082480/koeman-says-everton-did-a-good-job-today-managers-post-match-comments-everton-2-leicester-0"}]}'></div></aside><p id="4dHVv0">Some hard running from another clearance in the box by Ross Barkley got Lukaku free, and he turned the two hapless centerbacks again to finish off the game late. </p>
<p id="WCFil6">By no means are Everton the finished article, but it does look like manager Ronald Koeman is slowly learning about his players and developing an identity for this side. </p>
<div id="m6xM6h"><script src="//cdn.playwire.com/bolt/js/zeus/embed.js" data-config="//config.playwire.com/21772/videos/v2/5274202/zeus.json" data-width="100%" data-height="100%" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/27/14085316/everton-at-leicester-city-extended-highlights-bbc-match-of-the-day-mirallas-lukaku
Calvin
2016-12-26T21:30:01+00:00
2016-12-26T21:30:01+00:00
Kitbag makes up for grievous error on Everton jersey
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<img alt="Everton v Liverpool - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VA2Ve221wLMKPsxEsaK9aN3-4Dc=/0x0:4806x3204/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52460559/630265104.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Quick recovery from holiday faux pas</p> <p id="eQaY3l">Imagine paying a ton of money for an authentic jersey from the club website, and when it shows up there’s a horrendous error on it that renders the said shirt unwearable. </p>
<p id="U3M9KJ">That was the tragedy that befell Everton fan Will who ordered a Ross Barkley jersey from the club store, but was shocked to receive this from Santa Claus under the tree on Christmas morning. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why does my <a href="https://twitter.com/RBarkley20">@RBarkley20</a> shirt have a United badge on the back of it???? <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton">@Everton</a> <a href="https://t.co/tUDfMMXrk0">pic.twitter.com/tUDfMMXrk0</a></p>— w (@EFCWill) <a href="https://twitter.com/EFCWill/status/812967826050912256">December 25, 2016</a>
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<p id="wAjhIL">In case you can’t see it that well, that’s the Manchester United crest at the bottom of the ‘8’. </p>
<p id="TQQH71">Will’s tweet immediately went viral and Kitbag UK, the distributor for Everton merchandise, scrambled to correct their mistake within hours. </p>
<p id="PkySar">They connected with the fan, apologized for the issue, gave him a refund and sent out a replacement, but went the extra mile and invited Will and his family to a VIP day at Goodison Park for a forthcoming home game. They then went another extra mile after that too, arranging for him to meet his favorite player Barkley to have his brand new Crimbo prezzie autographed by the midfielder.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brilliant from <a href="https://twitter.com/KitbagUK">@KitbagUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/QR3hN9BS3u">pic.twitter.com/QR3hN9BS3u</a></p>— w (@EFCWill) <a href="https://twitter.com/EFCWill/status/813046165121994753">December 25, 2016</a>
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<p id="mLcIZp">It’s a Christmas miracle!</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/26/14083118/company-makes-up-grievous-error-everton-jersey-manchester-united-crest-barkley-fan-kitbag-fanatics
Calvin
2016-12-26T21:00:01+00:00
2016-12-26T21:00:01+00:00
Lukaku will normally score one-on-one
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<img alt="Leicester City v Everton - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/C_-5llKWdQtqpZ3R0bnXdN4L6KQ=/0x0:5184x3456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52460255/630545802.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Manager happy with striker’s performances</p> <p id="hq4966">Romelu Lukaku scored Everton’s second goal to clinch the game for the Blues away at Leicester City 2-0. His strong running got him past Foxes captain Wes Morgan, before he turned and duped Marcin Wasilewski and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to score. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lukaku completely BULLIED Wes Morgan here<a href="https://t.co/3Qs7Ulkp4h">pic.twitter.com/3Qs7Ulkp4h</a></p>— IDontLikeSpurs (@IDontLikeSpurs) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDontLikeSpurs/status/813435352799211522">December 26, 2016</a>
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<p id="7oLjwL">After the game, manager Ronald Koeman spoke of the Belgian forward - </p>
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<p id="isjdZk">“That's one of his big qualities. It's a one against one situation, he is strong, he is fast and if he gets that chance of being one against one with the goalkeeper, normally he will score.</p>
<p id="MxDLjA">“The message to him at half-time was to tell him that sometimes he runs too much (out wide) and that he needed to stay up front, stay between the two centre-backs because when we have crosses, he needs to be in the box.</p>
<p id="5ulmvC">“He's that type of striker who can score from crosses. You need to be in the box to do that. Mirallas and Lennon are different players.”</p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/26/14082958/romelu-lukaku-will-normally-score-one-on-one-ronald-koeman-everton-2-leicester-0
Calvin
2016-12-26T19:43:49+00:00
2016-12-26T19:43:49+00:00
Davies impresses Koeman, will we see more youngsters in the squad now?
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<img alt="Chelsea v Everton - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cNDkFwr78M6Rg2ZAxZTImueansY=/0x0:3450x2300/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52460161/621278896.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Tom Davies | Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Manager effusive with his praise for Davies</p> <p id="a4vhZy">Everton fans got to see a rare appearance in the senior side for two youngsters with very bright futures ahead of them. </p>
<p id="KPdw6O">First was young defender Mason Holgate who got a rare shout to start the games, and held up mostly well. As part of a three-man defence, he looked very composed when on the ball, assured in his passing and intelligent with his movement. He let his man slip away as Leonardo Ulloa got a header on goal, but stand-in goalie Joel Robles was up to the task. Shades of Spurs from opening day there, but played well otherwise. </p>
<p id="1o4TDz">Then there was precocious teenager Tom Davies who came on for aging veteran Gareth Barry in the second half, and immediately struck the casual viewer with his confidence on the ball, and energy off it. </p>
<p id="ecJkxl">It was interesting that manager Ronald Koeman chose to bring Davies on in such a pressure cooker of atmosphere with Everton up by one and the home crowd baying for an equalizer, but his contributions stabilized the midfield and set up the win. </p>
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<p id="ErGLvR">“I was very pleased with Tom, he did a great job.</p>
<p id="nG3dI5">“In the 20-25 minutes we put him on, the reason we put him on was to introduce a fresh player in that position, first to keep the ball and also to work and win battles.</p>
<p id="kFRp9G">“He is really aggressive. He is a young player but he will come. He has a big talent.”</p>
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<p id="ZbZl0h">Davies’ last appearance was in a lost cause game at Chelsea where he had impressed as well. </p>
<aside id="DX6pA2"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Youngsters not ready to play for Everton","url":"http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/3/13827650/under-23-youngsters-not-ready-to-play-for-everton-premier-league-davies-holgate-calvert-lewin"}]}'></div></aside><blockquote>
<p id="JyLEK9">“For young players, normally you need to give them a comfortable situation (in which to come on).</p>
<p id="UUelyx">“Everybody knows it's difficult for young players to make the breakthrough into the first team.</p>
<p id="gNhZDZ">“He's already come on against Chelsea, but it was a really disappointing result at that moment.</p>
<p id="710USA">“Here, though, we were 1-0 up and he was the strong player that we needed in midfield.</p>
<p id="0RXzd6">“That's what we needed at that time in the game.”</p>
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<p id="uaAZKw">Forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin has also made two appearances for the Blues, coming on as a second-half substitute though he wasn’t in the squad today. </p>
<p id="ZQoo8f">It is encouraging to see Koeman using the youngsters to kickstart what has been a pretty anemic Everton side for large parts of this season so far. Their energy and playing level so far is a compliment to David Unsworth’s work as the youth side’s manager, where he has Everton at the top two points clear in the Premier League 2 table. </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/26/14082832/davies-impresses-koeman-will-we-see-more-youngsters-in-everton-squad-now-holgate-calvert-lewin
Calvin
2016-12-26T18:38:19+00:00
2016-12-26T18:38:19+00:00
Koeman says Everton did a good job today
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<img alt="Leicester City v Everton - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZPoa4YaUnBauFl8G992KLByBhi4=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52459633/630545262.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Everton celebrates | Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Manager’s post-match comments after win away at the champions</p> <p id="7UqRXc">Everton beat the Premier League defending champions Leicester City in their own home 2-0 earlier today. While the Foxes were weakened by suspensions and chose to rest some key members, they dominated play in the first half and only as the game proceeded did the Blues work their way back into the proceedings. </p>
<p id="Rm7Di4">In a characteristically ‘Leicester City-like©’ performance, the Toffees sat back, defended in hordes and relied on the counter attack to sting their hosts. It was Route One football to thank for the two Everton goals, with long passes upfield for Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku respectively getting the job done. </p>
<p id="48uyQ1">After the match, manager Ronald Koeman was effusive in his praise for the team’s workrate. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> | Here's what a pleased <a href="https://twitter.com/RonaldKoeman">@RonaldKoeman</a> had to say following our 2-0 win at Leicester City. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFCawayday?src=hash">#EFCawayday</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZeAKpsGtkt">pic.twitter.com/ZeAKpsGtkt</a></p>— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/813448416370053120">December 26, 2016</a>
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<p id="QdKqsV">“We did a good job today. The team was aggressive, we defended well, we were compact in the second half. </p>
<p id="v9Aybs">“You saw in the game the difference between the beginning - when we were a little bit nervous and not comfortable on the ball. There was space to play between the lines and we did not make the right decisions, but that was much better in the second half. </p>
<p id="0z0Dgp">“The team was more confident after going 1-0 up.”</p>
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<p id="JafEEX">Koeman also talked about the formation change that allowed the Blues to finally make an impression in the game. </p>
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<p id="yC6ZQh">“[Leicester] changed their system a little bit and we started with four at the back. We defended well and were dangerous on the counter-attack. The big chance for Gana [in the second half] was a key moment to kill the game but finally Romelu did.</p>
<p id="wPHiQL">“It's a little more comfortable to play with three at the back, and you can keep the ball and play it to the left and right, it makes the opposition run more than they do normally.</p>
<p id="M59Siq">“Defending, we know they play direct and with second balls, and with three at the back it's a little more comfortable when you are up against two strikers.</p>
<p id="19pXjD">“We like to play out from the back but if the opponent is pressing then we don't take risks to play.</p>
<p id="m9FScg">“In the first half we could play out from the back as they didn't press us, but in the second half they did more pressing and then you need to play the long ball, push up and fight for second balls.</p>
<p id="WJBmVZ">“We won a lot of battles in the second half and that was good. Then you make it very difficult for the opponent.”</p>
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<p id="LPO6Ok">Maarten Stekelenburg’s replacement Joel Robles was confident in the box, and played a big part in nullifying Leicester’s aerial attack. </p>
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<p id="xY4D8Z">“Joel did very well today. He was important, he made some good saves and was comfortable with crosses. That gives the team confidence and we were strong. </p>
<p id="Fy9Dra">“We dominated the game, they did not create big chances to score and we deserved the three points.”</p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/12/26/14082480/koeman-says-everton-did-a-good-job-today-managers-post-match-comments-everton-2-leicester-0
Calvin