Royal Blue Mersey - Everton vs Watford: Premier League Matchday 11It's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2017-11-12T09:00:01+00:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/163742212017-11-12T09:00:01+00:002017-11-12T09:00:01+00:00Baines hoping comeback win marks Everton season turnaround
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<p>Anytime around now sounds good to us</p> <p id="SRKml0">Veteran defender <span>Leighton Baines</span> has been around the block a few times and played his part in sealing some key victories during his Everton career. His cool-as-you-like penalty to secure the three points in a comeback win against Watford last weekend might be one of the most important of them all. </p>
<p id="vsEY8Z">Writing in his guest column on <a href="http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/everton/368/blog/post/3264301/leighton-baines-everton-must-use-big-win-to-climb-the-premier-league-table">ESPNFC</a>, Baines weighed in on the importance of his neatly-dispatched shot considering the Blues were firmly rooted in the relegation zone following a horrible run of losses. </p>
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<p id="4wu0uQ">“I have been involved in the game for long enough to know that any win in the Premier League is special, but it's fair to say our dramatic 3-2 comeback victory against Watford on Sunday had extra significance; not just because of the manner in which it was achieved but also for what it could mean for our season.</p>
<p id="FHyFEG">“Having started the day in the bottom three, we went into the game knowing we were under huge pressure to get a positive result to bring to an end a run of five successive defeats in all competitions.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Baines Penalty <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Everton</a> <a href="https://t.co/mB33FFwqxR">pic.twitter.com/mB33FFwqxR</a></p>— Molly Harrison (@MollyOHarrison) <a href="https://twitter.com/MollyOHarrison/status/927250607341232133?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2017</a>
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<p id="OhsVar">He went on to talk about the pressure in the build-up to taking the 90th minute penalty, with a further 12 minutes of time added on coming. </p>
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<p id="buRF2S">“It was a big moment and, as the team's designated penalty taker, I had the responsibility of stepping up to the spot. I had an understanding of the situation I was in. Obviously, it was late in the game and one of the last chances we would have to win the match.</p>
<p id="3JqM4N">“There was a bit of a wait to take the penalty and when you find yourself in that situation, you have to keep your composure. I knew where I was going to go with the penalty. I knew I might score, but I also knew there was a possibility I might not.</p>
<p id="pctZxJ">“I blocked those thoughts out of my mind as I stepped up and when I saw the ball hit the back of the net, it was a massive relief.”</p>
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<p id="g7xr0N">Baines added that the players were happy to be able to get David Unsworth the result at the fourth time of asking following three straight losses. </p>
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<p id="zSDL0i">“To get the three points was huge for us, and it made it extra special that we were able to get a win for David Unsworth. "Unsy" has been top drawer since taking over as caretaker manager. I have loved the training sessions he has put on, and the way he has conducted himself.</p>
<p id="fpPTnF">“He is a true Evertonian, with a deep passion for the club and his team talk before the Watford game was special. We were bitterly disappointed not to have achieved better results from his first three games in charge, so to finally get that win on the board for him felt great. It was the least he deserved.”</p>
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<aside id="Mtd8yu"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton need a Pochettino level appointment","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/11/16622868/everton-pochettino-appointment-manager-tottenham-simeon-koeman-premier-league"},{"title":"Youngster wants to be an Everton legend","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/10/16621948/beni-baningime-everton-academy-graduates-board-comments-legend-midfielder"}]}'></div></aside><p id="8BVag6">The single win however does not change the fact that Everton have had an abysmal season so far, and really need to pull it out to finish the year in a respective manner. </p>
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<p id="oeuRx8">“That victory eased the pressure on all of us. It was a long time coming and it has been nice to be able to enjoy a winning feeling again over the last few days. However, we are under no illusions about what has gone before, and the situation we still find ourselves in. We know it's not good enough for a club of <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton's</a> stature and, as a squad of players, we are determined to put things right.</p>
<p id="Ql7Wl8">“We have good players here, players who are much better than the league table and our performances suggest. It's important we use the Watford result as a momentum builder; the character, fight and passion we showed to come back gives us something to build on and we are using this international break as an opportunity to regroup.</p>
<p id="eHI234">“With many of our first-team squad away with their countries, it makes it difficult for the manager and his coaching staff to work on things because there are so few people around. But that's what we will be doing over the next week or so -- looking to improve small things, either tactically or fitness-wise.</p>
<p id="NuiE8c">“Due to our involvement in the Europa League, we have spent the last few months travelling around and playing lots of football, so this is a chance to take stock. When the Premier League resumes next weekend, the schedule will only become more hectic as we go into Christmas and the New Year, with lots of football set to be played over a short period of time.</p>
<p id="MWIDYH">“It's a demanding period but, hopefully by the end of it, we will be able to look back on the Watford win as a turning point in our season.”</p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/12/16633236/leighton-baines-everton-season-turning-point-turnaround-watford-comeback-winCalvin2017-11-06T17:14:13+00:002017-11-06T17:14:13+00:00Schneiderlin and Mirallas dismissed from training
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<p>Unsworth unhappy with effort, pair could be gone in January</p> <p id="mAJsCD"><em><strong>UPDATE - 5pm BST, 12pm EST</strong></em></p>
<p id="Z09K7C">Morgan Schneiderlin has denied the rumours that he was thrown out of training following a disagreement with Assistant Coach Duncan Ferguson. In a tweet just posted, the Frenchman insisted that he was still committed to the club, but gave no more details. </p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/j3fxPzf1VP">pic.twitter.com/j3fxPzf1VP</a></p>— Morgan Schneiderlin (@SchneiderlinMo4) <a href="https://twitter.com/SchneiderlinMo4/status/927580624965328896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2017</a>
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<p id="oTi9IX">There were five omissions from the squad list announced for <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>’s game against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/watford-fc">Watford FC</a> today, of which more than a couple were surprising. <span>Morgan Schneiderlin</span>, <span>Kevin Mirallas</span>, and Nikola Vlasic weren’t on the list oddly enough, while outcasts Davy Klaassen and Sandro Ramirez were not even expected on it. </p>
<p id="E1UkmE">In a late report from <a href="http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/11115901/morgan-schneiderlin-and-kevin-mirallas-sent-away-from-everton-training">Sky Sports</a> though, it now appears that Schneiderlin and Mirallas were dropped from the matchday squad after being sent away from the Saturday training session. The story goes on to say that the pair were dismissed for showing <em>“a lack of effort”</em>. </p>
<aside id="VrGpFI"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Ronald Koeman decided when Everton players were allowed to eat","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/24/16537294/ronald-koeman-sacked-report-news-latest-discipline-communication-guardiola-replacement-candidates"},{"title":"Five things about Koeman Evertonians will not miss","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/24/16533596/five-things-ronald-koeman-everton-evertonians-will-not-miss-manager-fired-niasse-barkley-but-okay"}]}'></div></aside><p id="OkiZaD">This latest news of discord within the Toffees squad is particularly galling especially since Evertonians have been particularly frustrated by what has looked like lackadaisical attitudes from the players within games. </p>
<p id="kVczpY">Schneiderlin particularly has been quite terrible in recent weeks, and was the Blues worst player by a country mile in the midweek game at Lyon. To rub salt into that wound, the Frenchman was sent off late in the game for a terrible challenge. Now the news that he has been slacking off during practice will only increase the ire of the fans towards the midfielder. </p>
<p id="n17XMF">Coupled with the rise of the teenager Beni Baningime, who has settled in very comfortably in the holding midfielder role, Schneiderlin’s future presence on this squad is starting to look unnecessary and he will likely move on during the January transfer window. </p>
<aside id="zMlMcE"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"What’s wrong with Morgan Schneiderlin?","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/6/16431248/whats-wrong-with-morgan-schneiderlin-everton-tactics-ronald-koeman-sigurdsson-rooney"},{"title":"Kevin Mirallas linked with loan move to Turkish giants","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/5/16254598/kevin-mirallas-news-latest-transfers-rumours-fenerbahce-everton"}]}'></div></aside><p id="BJ0zKR">Another player who could be leaving is Mirallas, who has expressed previously that he tried to leave the club over the summer and has not been shy about his comments regarding his marginal use. </p>
<p id="aoSK6Y">The Belgian resorted to Instagram today, first to wish his teammates playing today all the best, and then after the game with this mysterious post. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">After being dropped from the squad today, Kevin Mirallas has posted this on Instagram. <a href="https://t.co/eD6LkKtJ0c">pic.twitter.com/eD6LkKtJ0c</a></p>— Royal Blue Mersey (@RBMersey) <a href="https://twitter.com/RBMersey/status/927291042264731649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2017</a>
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<p id="A1KZgK">Within minutes of posting this however he took it down, to add to the whole mystery surrounding him. </p>
<p id="Rj9TvL">There will be more to come on this affair undoubtedly as the Blues go into the international break with a win to finally lift the gloom that surrounded the club for the last few weeks. </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/6/16610708/morgan-schneiderlin-kevin-mirallas-everton-training-session-sent-away-transfer-rumours-latest-newsCalvin2017-11-06T17:00:05+00:002017-11-06T17:00:05+00:00Everton v. Watford: Tactical Analysis
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<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The points earned are vital, but they came largely in spite of the manager.</p> <p id="MhNdrp">Let me be very honest with you from the start — if you’re looking for a feel-good, uplifting piece about the spirit <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> showed in Sunday’s comeback victory over Watford, this is not the place for you. </p>
<p id="0Viufl">Yes, I’m happy with the never-say-die attitude shown in the final half hour of this weekend’s match. I’m happy Everton got three points and is now out of the relegation zone going into the international break. I’m happy Michael Keane was healthy and back in the lineup.</p>
<p id="sNv2h9">But, let’s not pretend that this was a good match or performance for Everton. The Toffees three goals came on:</p>
<ol>
<li id="hIsB3h">A poorly defended long ball that ultimately went in off Oumar Niasse’s backside.</li>
<li id="qyHKjS">A corner kick.</li>
<li id="HtOEFJ">A penalty conceded by Watford via a player tripping into <span>Aaron Lennon</span>.</li>
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<p id="2G2QCX">That isn’t exactly a long-term recipe for success — and let’s not forget that the Toffees went down 2-0 to Watford, at Goodison Park, after an absolutely abysmal hour of football. </p>
<p id="kyTh1z">Let’s talk about that painful, painful hour, in fact. Start by taking a look at the lineup David Unsworth inexplicably started the match with. </p>
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<p id="9QY2M3">The back seven are all perfectly sensible — Michael Keane, <span>Phil Jagielka</span>, and <span>Leighton Baines</span> are clearly the team’s best three defenders at this stage, and were all left home against Lyon so that they would be fresh for this match. Jonjoe Kenny is the best of a bad situation at right-back, and Idrissa Gueye is an obvious starter in nearly every match.</p>
<p id="ZXJFfI">Beni Baningime started alongside Gueye in the center of midfield, following Morgan Schneiderlin’s dismissal from training on Saturday. I could probably write another 2,000 words on the managerial situation’s relationship to Schneiderlin’s performances this season, but for now, I can respect the decision to shelve the Frenchman and utilize Beni.</p>
<p id="Zs8ARD">The front four, though, is an absolute trainwreck. David Unsworth must have suffered some sort of amnesia in the buildup to this match, because he surely cannot be stupid enough to revive a Ronald Koeman-style tactic less than two weeks after such a gameplan got the Dutchman fired.</p>
<p id="o0l9jO">Yet here we were, with no true wingers in the side — instead, looking at <span>Wayne Rooney</span> and Gylfi Sigurdsson as the ‘wide’ attacking players. Tom Davies, a box-to-box midfielder, slotted in as the No. 10, while two No. 10s played out wide.</p>
<p id="PnautN">Brilliant.</p>
<p id="IJ14Oj">You would suspect, at the very least then, that Rooney and Sigurdsson would drift into the central areas of the pitch, to facilitate the attack, helping Davies to move the team from defense to offense and give the full-backs time and space to get involved going forward.</p>
<p id="mRKvef">And that would be a sensible thing to expect! So naturally, you would be wrong to think it!</p>
<p id="AtTy9h">Take a look at Gylfi and Wayne’s passmaps from the start of the match up to Everton’s first goal.</p>
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<p id="kdThgE">Sigurdsson was completely adrift on the right wing, and wasn’t able to find any space in which to operate. Rooney got a little more involved, but wasn’t exactly stellar either.</p>
<p id="ZuRP4p">Instead of playing through the club’s best playmakers in the midfield, the Toffees elected to play long balls. A lot of long balls. So, so many long balls. All toward the towering pillar of strength...Oumar Niasse.</p>
<p id="Xg5IyE">In seriousness, though, Niasse got bullied by bigger, stronger center-backs when these long aerial passes out of the back came forward to him — and that’s not on him. Niasse isn’t a holdup striker, and Unsworth’s insistence on using him as such was only going to end up way — that is, conceding possession 60/40 to Watford at home.</p>
<p id="geE0L4">Just how many long balls did Everton play in the opening hour of play? Take a look for yourself — the passmap of <span>Jordan Pickford</span>, Keane, Jagielka, and Kenny combined from the first 60 minutes is below.</p>
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<p id="BIM41Q">I truly, deeply have absolutely no idea what the hell David Unsworth expected to happen in this match. He put out a squad best equipped to play through the midfield, and instead he elected to play almost exclusively long balls toward a physically over-matched striker and two slow-as-dirt ‘wingers.’</p>
<p id="FHwcob">The introduction of Ademola Lookman helped to change the match in Everton’s favor, as a player with actual pace and 1-v-1 ability is a good thing, despite what Koeman and Unsworth seem to think. It was Lookman’s trickery on the ball that opened up space for Oumar Niasse’s goal.</p>
<p id="XQfAbh">The introduction of Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave Everton a better target for long balls and set pieces — DCL helped the team start to turn the tide, and netted the equalizer on a corner kick.</p>
<p id="vYgObf">The introduction of Aaron Lennon gave the Toffees width on both sides of the pitch. His pace and 1-v-1 ability in wide areas earned Everton a penalty that led to the match-winner.</p>
<p id="ol8xz3">So why did it take 55, 67, and 85 minutes respectively to get these players on the field? Lennon’s exclusion gets a bit of a pass because of the number of minutes he’d played in the last three matches, but with the others, there was no excuse.</p>
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<img alt="Everton v Sunderland - Carabao Cup Third Round" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/t6lr3ucgcnDqap2vcS9VFPKUMhU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/9619455/850295546.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="Wdaq13">The Toffees, under Unsworth, have been at their best when wide players have been able to get on the ball and get at opposing backlines — nobody on this team is better at that than Ademola Lookman. Even Nikola Vlasic, left out of the 18 completely, would have been a better option out wide than Rooney or Sigurdsson.</p>
<p id="SCJ2tt">And if Unsworth was truly committed to playing long almost exclusively, he needed to play Calvert-Lewin. There’s simply no world in which long-ball success is possible for Everton if DCL isn’t the man leading the line.</p>
<p id="oyZpOv">These aren’t complex ideas Unsworth whiffed on — any U14 coach could have seen very quickly that his team was in trouble. His changes helped to earn his team three points, but came with a fair bit of luck and against Watford’s second-string goalkeeper.</p>
<p class="c-end-para" id="W1q78R">If he needs three goals in the final half hour to beat Watford at Goodison Park, he’s not the man to keep control of Everton. Not even close — even if it means his replacement is someone like <span>Sam Allardyce</span>.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/6/16612312/david-unsworth-everton-new-manager-sam-allardyce-tactical-analysis-watford-niasse-calvert-lewinAdam.Braun2017-11-06T15:34:18+00:002017-11-06T15:34:18+00:00Everton vs Watford: Extended Match Highlights
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<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>All the goals, chances, saves and more</p> <p id="8yKKi4"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> came from behind to beat <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/watford-fc">Watford FC</a> 3-2 yesterday at Goodison Park in the Premier League. The Blues went down by two goals early in the second half, but were able to claw their way back into the game with two quick goals. However, with two major injuries in the game, there were twelve minutes of time added on at the end, with the Toffees converting a penalty to take the lead and then the visitors missing one right at the death to preserve the win for the home team. </p>
<div id="SI3MzF"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="//ok.ru/videoembed/354926398054" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<p id="bvXtuh"><em>Video courtesy of </em><a href="http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/2017/11/05/everton-vs-watford-highlights-2/"><em>Full Matches and Shows</em></a></p>
<h3 id="ZPyugZ">Everton vs Watford</h3>
<p id="9LllXH"><strong>Everton -</strong> 1 Pickford, 43 Kenny, 6 Jagielka, 4 Keane, 3 Baines, 17 Gueye, 54 Baningime (Lookman 55'), 26 Davies, 18 Sigurdsson (Lennon 85'), 19 Niasse, 10 Rooney (Calvert-Lewinat 67') </p>
<p id="eymE8e"><strong>Subs -</strong> 5 Williams, 12 Lennon, 21 Besic, 29 Calvert-Lewin, 30 Holgate, 31 Lookman, 33 Robles</p>
<p id="4o6M48"><strong>Watford -</strong> 1 Gomes (Karnezis 59'), 21 Femenía, 27 Kabasele (Mariappa 79'), 3 Britos [YC], 25 Holebas [YC], 19 Hughes (Okaka 94'), 16 Doucouré, 8 Cleverley, 28 Carrillo, 18 Gray, 11 Richarlison</p>
<p id="UFODFe"><strong>Subs -</strong> 2 Janmaat, 6 Mariappa, 17 Sinclair, 23 Watson, 29 Capoue, 30 Karnezis, 33 Okaka</p>
<p id="XarLo0"><strong>Possession - </strong>Home 38%, Away 62%</p>
<p id="2aAOKe"><strong>Shots - </strong>Home 9, Away 11</p>
<p id="0QWWPS"><strong>Shots on Target - </strong>Home 5, Away 3</p>
<p id="sD0gWN"><strong>Corners - </strong>Home 2, Away 5</p>
<p id="S5QRGi"><strong>Fouls - </strong>Home 14, Away 12</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/6/16612550/everton-watford-extended-highlights-match-report-bbc-motd-baines-penalty-cleverley-missCalvin2017-11-06T08:30:01+00:002017-11-06T08:30:01+00:00Goodison crowd made a real difference
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<img alt="Everton v Watford - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g_WpAAnzNQxubedTiUtK1z-BtCQ=/0x6:5058x3378/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57477673/870528820.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Everton captain Phil Jagielka on the comeback win yesterday</p> <p id="eqZrwg"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>, urged on by a passionate Goodison Park crowd, came from two goals behind to tie the game and go on to beat <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/watford-fc">Watford FC</a> 3-2 yesterday. </p>
<p id="iqcwzd">Speaking to <a href="http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2017/11/04/jagielka-goodison-crowd-was-key">evertontv</a> after the thrilling win, club captain <span>Phil Jagielka</span> said - </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="smQtcH">"It was edgy in the first half. The second half didn’t go quite to plan but we showed character. Unsy made some positive substitutions. Thankfully, Oumar got us straight back in the game and that got the fans involved which made a real difference towards the end.</p>
<p id="O8KPe6">"We were looking for a way back in. Thankfully, Oumar chased down a lost cause, there was a bit of confusion and, before you know it, it’s 2-1. It was nice for Dom to get on the scoresheet with a good header and then there’s the penalty. Thankfully we had the right person at the right time to slot it home.</p>
<p id="0wrMMS">"Hopefully things turn around now, not just with the points but with luck."</p>
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<aside id="cXS2YM"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Unsworth: Everton had heart, character and desire","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/5/16610116/david-unsworth-everton-manager-comments-watford-win-3-2-baines-penalty-cleverley"},{"title":"Everton inspired by Unsworth’s special team talk","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/5/16610048/everton-watford-unsworth-special-team-talk-inspired-baines-penalty-win-recap-news-latest"}]}'></div></aside><p id="8MrX6c">He added that the players were thrilled to win the game for interim manager David Unsworth, with yesterday marking his fourth game and first win in charge in this spell.</p>
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<p id="P7Erx3">"It was really important (to win for Unsworth). You want to see the table and for it to look as good as possible. We’ve put in a few decent halves for Unsy, unfortunately not for whole games, which included today as well. But thankfully we’ve got the three points he and his staff deserve. I can’t wait to get back.</p>
<p id="YzwWP9">"The three points is massive for us. It takes us out of where we don’t want to be for the next couple of weeks. We know things have just started and we need to knuckle down and make sure we get some momentum now."</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Unsworth and his players at the whistle. <a href="https://t.co/dLTbb86tyL">pic.twitter.com/dLTbb86tyL</a></p>— Tony Scott (@Tony_Scott11) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tony_Scott11/status/927243514609590272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2017</a>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/6/16610406/everton-3-2-watford-recap-goodison-park-crowd-fans-comeback-winCalvin2017-11-06T08:00:02+00:002017-11-06T08:00:02+00:00RECAP: Everton 3-2 Watford
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<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Blues fight back to gain crucial three points</p> <p id="6juONB">Former Blue <span>Tom Cleverley</span> was the <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> hero today as he missed a 100th minute penalty to gift Everton a famous 3-2 comeback victory. Oumar Niasse, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and <span>Leighton Baines</span> cancelled out Richarlison and Christian Kabasele’s opening goals for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/watford-fc">Watford FC</a> as the Blues fought back to win in the most dramatic of fashions.</p>
<p id="pY1cbs">It was certainly a scrappy affair in the first period, Everton were static and slow when attempting to attack and Watford just lacked that final bit of quality when in the final third. There may have been an equal lack of quality in the final third but the visitors were notably more confident and very much the more threatening of the two sides. All in all it was a drab first half, with Watford getting forward well in the early stages, exploiting the massive gaps in the wide areas as Jonjoe Kenny and Leighton Baines struggled to cope with the lack of any wide midfielders to support them in defence. A number of early Hornets crosses were less than convincingly cleared by the Blues as the visitors tested the stormy waters in the Everton defence early on. </p>
<p id="74sxIn">Everton’s main issue in attack is the complete lack of movement. The ball carrier has little to no options when moving forward with static team mates being easily marshalled by the opposition defence. I watched the <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> vs <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> game today and as much praise as City receive, they actually play quite a simple game in attack. It’s a merely a case of good movement and intelligent runs. A moving player is much harder to deal with than a static one and City have opened up almost every team they’ve faced this season playing in such a way. Now I’m not saying we should be playing like Man City but a simple bit of movement and energy in attack is not only easy to do, it also makes the opposition defence’s job all the more difficult. The players are either to lazy or being poorly coached, and both need to change significantly if we are to start turning this poor form around.</p>
<aside id="tRGmAt"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton inspired by Unsworth’s special team talk","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/5/16610048/everton-watford-unsworth-special-team-talk-inspired-baines-penalty-win-recap-news-latest"},{"title":"Man of the Match and Player Grades Poll for Everton vs Watford","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/5/16600686/man-of-the-match-player-grades-poll-everton-watford-unsworth"}]}'></div></aside><p id="IdEARd">Everton’s best chance of the first period came after the Blues made a rare quick and direct attack as Tom Davies slipped through the energetic Oumar Niasse. He cut back for <span>Wayne Rooney</span> who made an intelligent first time reverse pass for the onrushing Baines. He had the time and space to pick his spot and give the Blues the lead but he over thought his effort and side footed it right down the throat of <span>Heurelho Gomes</span>. </p>
<p id="B7QZXd">Just 5 minutes before the break Watford stepped it up a gear as the rock bottom confidence of the Toffees was beginning to show. <span>Phil Jagielka</span> was easily turned by Andre Gray as he naively committed himself. Gray slipped through the young Brazilian forward Richarlison who was one on one with Pickford. The Everton keeper came rushing out a bit too quickly and the spritely forward rounded him and should have slotted into a empty net, but instead found the side netting of the Gwladys Street goal, a big let off for Everton. Minutes later Abdoulaye Doucoure whistled one at goal but it was straight at Pickford and he claimed easily in what was the last action of the first period.</p>
<p id="iwjbH8">If the first half was one to forget then the 2nd half was the complete polar opposite. Buckle up your seatbelts, it doesn’t get much more ‘Everton’ than this. Just 40 seconds into the second period Watford were ahead. Everton may as well have stayed in the dressing room as Watford simply exploited them, with Andre Gray dinking a ball through for Richarlison who calmly rounded Pickford and poked home, really poor defending from Everton. The Blues had a chance to reply shortly after as man of the match Niasse bounded forward and wouldn’t give up on a hopeful ball through, something he did brilliantly all game. He squared for Sigurdsson who smashed one towards goal but Gomes got across well and saved at full stretch. In the aftermath the Brazilian stopper was injured and had to be replaced with Greek number one Orestis Karnezis, who would play a part later on.</p>
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<p id="Wkdfeq">There was a six minute stoppage for Gomes’ injury and shortly after the restart the Everton rearguard was once again exposed by the pace of Gray. He left Jagielka in his dust and crossed for the unmarked Will Hughes, but the ball was a whisker to high for him on his first start for the visitors. The ball eventually ended up behind for a Watford corner and from it, the Hornets doubled their advantage. Christian Kabasele headed past Pickford after effortlessly beating Jagielka to the ball and looked to have given Watford just their second win over the Blues in the last nine meetings. For the Toffees it felt like we had hit a new low. Another dreadful performance and a two goal deficit, Goodison was stunned as the Blues alarming form looked set to continue. </p>
<p id="Oajvhk">However three minutes later and hope was renewed by that cult figure, Oumar Niasse. I criticised his quality in last week’s defeat at Leicester but what he lacks in quality he more than makes up for in sheer passion and determination and once again it was those qualities which helped him to halve the visitors lead. Substitute Ademola Lookman sent a hopeful through ball over the top for the Senegalese to chase which he did with ferocious tenacity, getting the better of <span>Miguel Britos</span> before getting past the onrushing Karnezis, who needlessly committed himself. Niasse was brought down as he approached the open goal but managed to bundle it home anyway and suddenly hope was restored for Everton. </p>
<p id="5RKlYI">In the aftermath of that goal Dominic Calvert-Lewin replaced Rooney and he was another of the substitutes who would have an impact later on. He worked himself some space and delivered a cross which came all the way through to Kenny who lashed a volley goal bound but Holebas did well to block it out for a corner. The ball was hung deep to the back post from the corner and there was Calvert-Lewin to plant a header past Karnezis and give relief to Evertonians everywhere. It was an unlikely comeback after the performance that led to us being 2-0 down but the drama had only just begun. </p>
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<p id="b1YhzF">Watford defender Kabasele went down after colliding with Pickford’s knee and he received treatment for around four minutes, added to the long stoppage for Gomes’ injury and we were facing a large chunk of stoppage time. With just over a minute remaining in normal time, Kabasele’s replacement Adrian Mariappa almost mirrored his team mate by out-jumping Jagielka from a set piece and sending a header goal bound, but it flashed just wide of a relieved Pickford’s goal. </p>
<p id="kZFCNH">With fans waiting with bated breath to hear how much stoppage time would be added, substitute <span>Aaron Lennon</span> got into the box and was cleared out by Holebas. The Greek international claimed he had slipped, which he had, but he had still taken out Lennon and referee Graham Scott rightly awarded the Toffees a penalty and the chance to complete an unlikely comeback. Baines stepped up after a short delay and sent Goodison into raptures as he coolly slotted past Karnezis and made it 3-2. What a comeback it was but just as the Blues began to celebrate, the fourth official indicated 12 minutes of stoppage time. Everton FC are famous for giving their fans a rollercoaster of emotions and 12 minutes was more than enough for them to execute “Operation Heart Attack”.</p>
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<p id="WAwa08">The Blues held firm for 9 of the 12 minutes as fans began to dream that maybe, just maybe, Everton could avoid the trademark drama, but alas it was not to be. In the 100th minute of the game Richarlison smartly shifted the ball past Pickford and made sure the keeper’s trailing leg made contact, Watford penalty. Tom Cleverley bravely stepped up against his former side and took the responsibility to dispatch the pressure kick and give Watford what would have been, on the whole, a deserved point. He stepped up and smashed the kick low to Pickford’s right and more importantly, wide of the mark! </p>
<p id="p4oPdJ">Goodison Park erupted as relief and emotion spilled out, Everton had won their first game since 23rd September at home to Bournemouth. Oumar Niasse was the man of the match that day and he was again today as his fighting spirit and effort proved the catalyst for the most unlikely of comebacks.</p>
<p id="J9EF8c">It may serve to only paper over the cracks or it may be a turning point in this torrid campaign but that boost just before the international break could be priceless and if a new gaffer is put into place promptly we could begin to get this season back on track. One thing is for sure....nobody does it quite like Everton!</p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/6/16609752/everton-3-2-watford-recap-niasse-man-of-the-match-baines-penalty-cleverley-missCalDumbell2017-11-05T20:50:44+00:002017-11-05T20:50:44+00:00Baines: Unsy gave special team talk
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<p>Veteran says interim manager galvanized side</p> <p id="WSAL4l"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> came from two goals behind to complete a rousing 3-2 win over Watford at Goodison Park today. Goals from Oumar Niasse, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and <span>Leighton Baines</span> sealed the win, though there was a heart-stopping moment right at the end when former Blue Tom Cleverley missed a 100th minute penalty. </p>
<p id="p7YRy4">After the game, veteran Baines told <a href="http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2017/11/05/baines">evertontv</a> that interim manager David Unsworth had given the players a rousing team talk before the game. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> | "I knew where I was going to go."<br><br>Cool as you like in the 90th minute! <br><br>More Leighton Baines ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/rzuedMRQSY">https://t.co/rzuedMRQSY</a> <a href="https://t.co/2qmrf2mQFL">pic.twitter.com/2qmrf2mQFL</a></p>— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/927252889030021120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2017</a>
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<p id="rSZtan">“We know we have good players, players that are better than the league table and our performances have been showing. </p>
<p id="Jnq70o">“It was good to win... and it was dramatic, so it feels great. But it is nothing to get too carried away with. It is the type of win we should be getting here at Goodison Park and will, hopefully, build momentum.</p>
<p id="azHvX5">“It makes it extra special (winning for Unsworth). He has been top drawer. I have loved the training sessions he has put on and the way he has conducted himself.</p>
<p id="KLsMAe">“His talk before the game today was special. We would like to have given him more, and achieved better results – but we have got him a win today, which he deserved, at the least.”</p>
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<div id="zggviV"><iframe src="https://vplayer.nbcsports.com/p/BxmELC/nbcsports_embed/select/media/l80wvg7hHBzc?autoPlay=false" width="624" height="351" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></div>
<p id="4DoV2o">Speaking about the penalty that he converted to get the late win - </p>
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<p id="tNgHaB">“I had an understanding of the situation I was in. I knew where I was going to go with the penalty. I knew I might score and there was a possibility I might not. I stepped up and was happy to see it go in.</p>
<p id="lOV4FN">“It (the win) is a definite momentum builder… with the manner of it, the emotional rollercoaster. I am sure it was a tough watch.</p>
<p id="M5sH1w">“There was a wait for our penalty and I am sure people were getting anxious, then they had a penalty. It was really emotional and the type of game that can give us something to build on.”</p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/5/16610048/everton-watford-unsworth-special-team-talk-inspired-baines-penalty-win-recap-news-latestCalvin2017-11-05T18:37:35+00:002017-11-05T18:37:35+00:00Man of the Match and Player Grades Poll for Everton vs Watford
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<p>Grade the Everton players and manager on their performance today</p> <p id="52ptjm">There were some big names missing in David Unsworth’s first <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> lineup since he took over as interim manager. </p>
<p id="4YRrtj">Starting XI - Pickford; Kenny, Keane, Jagielka, Baines; Davies, Baningime, Gueye; Sigurdsson, Niasse, Rooney. </p>
<p id="5UMDQV">Subs - Joel, Williams, Lennon, Besic, Calvert-Lewin, Holgate, Lookman.</p>
<p id="4ZOKTa">There were few chances of note for either side in the first half, with <span>Leighton Baines</span> shooting weakly straight at the goalie, and then Richarlison firing wide after rounding <span>Jordan Pickford</span>. </p>
<p id="C6iXpZ">However immediately after the break he made amends for the previous miss, putting the visitors up by one, and minutes later they were up two off some poor marking on a corner. </p>
<p id="wWHVHj">Just when it looked like the game was over, two second half substitutions sparked the Blues into a comeback, with Oumar Niasse and Dominic Calvert-Lewin tying the game. </p>
<p id="NK2Hm2">And then another sub <span>Aaron Lennon</span> got clattered fortunately in the box on the 90th minute, and Baines put the Blues ahead from the spot, with an incredible 12 minutes of time added on.</p>
<p id="mR2ftT">The Blues got lucky with <span>Tom Cleverley</span> sliding his penalty on the 100th minute wide to preserve the win. </p>
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<p id="FCS5f7">Who was your Man of the Match? Vote on the player grades here on how they did. </p>
<p id="Qm0i1Q"><em>If this poll is not showing up on your screen, please </em><a href="https://goo.gl/forms/5k6lyNS7DEpmEho52"><em>click here</em></a><em> to go and grade the players - we apologize for the inconvenience.</em></p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/11/5/16600686/man-of-the-match-player-grades-poll-everton-watford-unsworthCalvin