Royal Blue Mersey - Everton vs Watford: Premier League Matchday 16It's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2018-12-11T16:00:04+00:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/178984112018-12-11T16:00:04+00:002018-12-11T16:00:04+00:00Everton Tactical Analysis: Cracks in Silvaball starting to show
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<img alt="Everton FC v Watford FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wgtpmd-Ve9AV0OjEIcGDF0PN_Y0=/205x0:3148x1962/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62662286/1071524490.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Everton’s manager guided the club into the top-six race, but can he stay there?</p> <p id="Hd0Rys">Two weeks ago, everything was going swimmingly in the <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> world.</p>
<p id="gcUtCd">The club, led by Marco Silva, had won three straight at home, stolen a point away to <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a>, and had more hope heading into an away match against <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> than had existed in recent memory. Everton sat in the top six of the Premier League.</p>
<p id="dGOj7J">Two weeks, three matches, and two points later, the Toffees have hit the low point of their season. A bizarre late goal cost Everton a point in the Merseyside derby, followed by two disappointing home draws against beatable <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a> United and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/watford-fc">Watford FC</a> sides.</p>
<p id="lE4d3d"> Despite that, Silva’s team still sits just two points back of <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> for sixth place — a gap hardly worth sweating about with still more than half the season to play. But the Toffees play five times in 18 days starting with Saturday’s trip to <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> — a stretch after which the top-six picture will be much clearer.</p>
<p id="iDyj7V">What’s gone wrong for Everton and Marco Silva to this point, then, and what can he do to fix things?</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="DT9r02">
<p id="bvK3HY">Before we can answer that question, let’s mention briefly what <em>isn’t </em>the problem. </p>
<p id="IZZcMT">I’m not particularly worried about Everton’s team defense, or any of the regular contributors in defense. </p>
<p id="HJ7taH">Lucas Digne is an absolute star in both attack and defense, and Everton entirely lucked out that he was looking for a move as <span>Leighton Baines</span>’ career began winding to a close. <span>Seamus Coleman</span> still hasn’t quite returned to pre-leg-break form, but he’s still likely the best right-back outside the top six this side of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.</p>
<p id="vNbv72">Things at center-back are also largely positive. Michael Keane looks fit and every bit the player Everton paid big money for last summer, and Kurt Zouma has hardly made any mistakes when called upon. Yerry Mina had his share of struggles against Newcastle and Watford, but the potential in the big Colombian is clear to see.</p>
<p id="xXG54A">Derby incident aside, <span>Jordan Pickford</span> remains one of the absolute best keepers in the Premier League.</p>
<p id="6PRymS">The Toffees have conceded just eight goals from open play this season — only Liverpool and Manchester City have conceded fewer. So yes, I’m not worried about the defense, at least from a personnel perspective.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="nQc0h2">
<p id="g75ejg">What does worry me is Silva’s overall attacking plan — and the impact that it has on his team as a whole.</p>
<p id="KAxqVy">The short version of the story is this: Marco Silva has set up his team to play almost exclusively through the wide areas, and in Everton’s last two matches, it simply hasn’t worked.</p>
<p id="a8QkYC">Consider this:</p>
<ul>
<li id="qTglgH">Everton attempts 24 crosses per match, the most in the Premier League</li>
<li id="g6cmS1">22% of Everton possession in the attacking third comes in the central channel — only Wolves, Huddersfield, and Brighton and Hove Albion spend less of their attacking time in the center of the pitch.</li>
</ul>
<p id="IYNc2H">There’s nothing a priori <em>wrong</em> with being a team that relies heavily on wide play and crosses — especially with attack-minded full-backs like Digne and Coleman. But issues start to rise to the surface if the plan ultimately handcuffs the team.</p>
<p id="q47dCi">The primary issue should be an obvious one, and one that you’ve likely grumbled to yourself about during recent matches. To put it simply, the <strong>Toffees don’t have a striker who’s particularly good at getting on the end of crosses</strong>.</p>
<p id="b27VYU">Richarlison is <em>sneaky</em> good in the air for a player who is five-foot-ten going up against center-backs in the air, but he’s still only won 33 of 94 aerial duels in Premier League play this season.</p>
<p id="h4qaCL">Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Cenk Tosun are marginally better — 18 of 43 and 17 of 26, respectively — but neither is exactly an aerial force either.</p>
<aside id="bZrScV"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Five Telling Stats from Everton’s Draw with Watford ","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/11/18135809/everton-watford-premier-league-stats-richarlison-lucas-digne-theo-walcott"},{"title":"Disappointed Silva reflects on Watford draw","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/11/18135294/everton-2-2-watford-recap-marco-silva-reaction-disappointed-richarlison-sigurdsson-penalty-digne"}]}'></div></aside><p id="Ts88W0">To be fair to Silva and his attack, a well-played cross doesn’t have to rely on the recipient’s aerial prowess — look no further than Andre Gomes cross to Richarlison on Everton’s first goal against Watford as an example. But those type of calculated pull-backs have been few and far between when compared with the simple “knock it in the box and hope for the best” approach.</p>
<p id="x12Hyg">Still, I think Silvaball’s biggest issues lie a little bit deeper.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="f6nM36">
<p id="Aw0hLL">Who is Everton’s most important attacking player? </p>
<p id="Mbc91R">There’s only two possible answers to the question — Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson. I remain uncertain about Richarlison’s best usages, but Gylfi’s are pretty clear.</p>
<p id="pA1X04"><strong>Let the Icelander get on the ball in the center of the park, and let him go to work.</strong></p>
<p id="avwnVd">And yet, take a look at his passmap and heatmap from the Watford match.</p>
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<p id="yMcV1e">This isn’t a new phenomenon either — even in Everton wins, Sigurdsson’s post-match graphics are usually somewhere between confounding and infuriating. </p>
<p id="GoTEpw">Now let’s be clear, I don’t really put that on Gylfi himself. Everton’s progression method is almost exclusively through the wide areas, so by the time the Toffees have the ball in the attacking third, Sigurdsson has to wander out of where he’s most effective just to have a chance to get a few touches in.</p>
<p id="sjLA3N">And the issue isn’t just that he’s not getting touches where you’d like to see him on the ball — he’s barely getting any touches, period. </p>
<p id="v4Wmqb">Sigurdsson leads all Everton outfield players in Premier League minutes with 1,345, yet he’s only fifth on the team in touches with 739. Idrissa Gueye, Lucas Digne, Seamus Coleman, and Michael Keane all have more touches than the Everton No. 10. </p>
<p id="q83jzw">When you look at touches per 90, his influence is even smaller. Sigurdsson averages 49.6 touches per 90 — Richarlison, Bernard, Andre Gomes, Kurt Zouma, and Yerry Mina all have more touches per 90 that Sigurdsson. </p>
<p id="XE77X7"><strong>Basically,</strong> <strong>any regular starter not named </strong><span><strong>Theo Walcott</strong></span><strong> sees more of the ball in an average match than Sigurdsson.</strong></p>
<p id="vLP2TJ">The upshot? Team passmaps that look like this (from the Watford match):</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/t5jdEUB0-m84-mrokHwCSBkf8P8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13618241/total_passes.png">
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<p id="XwS7HY">Or this (from the Newcastle match):</p>
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<p id="LwbOqs">Look at the complete lack of success in the area around the top of the box (the semi-circle of sadness, as I like to call it). Opponents are basically daring Everton to continue to focus their attack out wide, trusting that their center-backs will hold up against Everton’s undersized strike-force — and knowing it’ll keep the ball out of Gylfi Sigurdsson’s feet.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="J5UfU3">
<p id="PGMp8S">I understand that simply saying “we should build attacks through the middle more frequently” doesn’t make doing so a simple proposition. But, after the way Everton has been absolutely stifled for long stretches by relatively mediocre defenses in the last two matches, Silva <em>must</em> see the writing on the wall here.</p>
<p id="r4fXrV">Silva and Marcel Brands brought in Andre Gomes to be the player who can serve as the connector between defense and attack, and he’s done a good job of working the ball forward to his wide players since being introduced into the lineup. But, the next step must be developing a connection between Gomes and Sigurdsson, thereby getting the Icelander more touches and diversifying the Everton attack.</p>
<aside id="TRu3Gq"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Digne: I would swap first Everton goal for win over Watford","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/11/18135845/everton-watford-2-2-recap-premier-league-lucas-digne-first-goal-freekick-reaction-barcelona-transfer"},{"title":"Everton 2-2 Watford: Three thoughts | Derby hangover, striking issues, right-side problem","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/11/18135768/everton-2-2-watford-three-thoughts-richarlison-theo-walcott-seamus-coleman-cenk-tosun-transfers"}]}'></div></aside><p id="pB2KeR">In reality, Silva won’t have much of a chance to implement any kind of major attacking change over the next two weeks, with a trip to Manchester City and a visit from <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> on the way. But the following week, the Toffees play <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/burnley-fc">Burnley</a>, Brighton, and <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com/">Leicester City</a> in a seven-day span.</p>
<p id="3KYgZ8">If Silva wants to return to his former form against bottom-half opposition in those matches, he’s going to have to tweak his tactics.</p>
<p id="vK92XA"></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/11/18135944/everton-tactical-analysis-marco-silva-watford-numbers-statistics-crossing-sigurdssonAdam.Braun2018-12-11T15:00:08+00:002018-12-11T15:00:08+00:00Digne: I would swap first Everton goal for win over Watford
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<img alt="Everton FC v Watford FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sWmL3MWdpcKlVibDd3AOCE4ttJs=/394x0:3142x1832/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62661849/1080736490.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Mixed emotions for the Frenchman as his last-gasp strikes secures a point at Goodison Park</p> <p id="ulS18J">Lucas Digne says he would have swapped his first <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> goal for victory against <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/watford-fc">Watford FC</a> but was happy to step-up and take responsibility.</p>
<p id="OdSH1J">Digne curled home a sublime free-kick in the sixth minute of stoppage-time to rescue a points for the Toffees after a below-par display at Goodison Park.</p>
<p id="NGFNfc">The 25-year-old has become a firm fan favourite following a string of impressive performances following his summer move from <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a>.</p>
<aside id="r4OBXB"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Disappointed Silva reflects on Watford draw","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/11/18135294/everton-2-2-watford-recap-marco-silva-reaction-disappointed-richarlison-sigurdsson-penalty-digne"},{"title":"Everton 2-2 Watford: Three thoughts | Derby hangover, striking issues, right-side problem","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/11/18135768/everton-2-2-watford-three-thoughts-richarlison-theo-walcott-seamus-coleman-cenk-tosun-transfers"}]}'></div></aside><p id="aTXlDU">He looks every inch the natural successor to <span>Leighton Baines</span>, and the manner of his goal on Monday was reminiscent of the former England left-back in his pomp.</p>
<p id="iKIlw7">Though clearly delighted to net his first goal for the club, the France international admitted it was a bitter-sweet moment as it only secured a point rather than three.</p>
<p id="s27js0">He told the club’s <a href="http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2018/12/11/digne">official website</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="6t2PTd">“We are disappointed, we wanted to win the game, we were at home and the fans always push us,” </p>
<p id="vAR5M8">“We needed to be more decisive in our play… but we saved ourselves from defeat.</p>
<p id="j0xBOC">“I believed I could score and said to Richie [Richarlison] to leave me the free-kick. I am happy to score the goal but I would have preferred to win.</p>
<p id="ScT9Tp">“We needed to take responsibility and I wanted to take responsibility for the free-kick.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="9Y711H">Back-to-back draws at home to <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a> and Watford have left everyone frustrated and feeling that four points have been needlessly dropped.</p>
<aside id="SNps2a"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Five Telling Stats from Everton’s Draw with Watford ","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/11/18135809/everton-watford-premier-league-stats-richarlison-lucas-digne-theo-walcott"},{"title":"Everton 2-2 Watford: Instant Reaction | Chaos","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/10/18135012/everton-watford-2-2-score-recap-results-reaction-goals-highlights-richarlison-marco-silva-latest"}]}'></div></aside><p id="7xz0zT">To make things worse, the Toffees travel to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday before taking on third-placed Tottenham immediately before the festive period.</p>
<p id="qogyFu">Digne, though, isn’t deterred by the daunting fixture list and insists the side will be ready.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="zDPud1">“We are here to play against the best teams and we need to work and prepare in the best manner for those games.</p>
<p id="DzL04Q">“We need to be more focused and continue our work.</p>
<p id="aX1NxU">“Watford showed there are no easy matches in the Premier League but now we have to be focused for the next game against <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>.</p>
<p id="zx2n4v">“It will be hard and we need to prove we can win against the big teams.”</p>
</blockquote>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/11/18135845/everton-watford-2-2-recap-premier-league-lucas-digne-first-goal-freekick-reaction-barcelona-transferTom Mallows2018-12-11T12:00:07+00:002018-12-11T12:00:07+00:00Five Telling Stats from Everton’s Draw with Watford
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<img alt="Everton FC v Watford FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GFsIohkZTeXRjHoG7xHcRywTKH0=/0x0:3842x2561/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62661498/1080412694.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><em><strong>Who do the numbers tell us about Everton’s frustrating draw?</strong></em></p> <p id="fPcVLD">It’s been a bad 10 days for Blues, with five points having been needlessly flittered away as the gap to the “Big 6” re-emerges.</p>
<p id="SM5dwc">Lucas Digne may have scored a lovely last-gasp free-kick to rescue a point, but what went wrong against Watford on Monday?</p>
<p id="iELL1q">Let’s see what the numbers tell us…</p>
<h2 id="GxXCl8">Outbattled</h2>
<p id="b4ycLu"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/"><em><strong>Everton</strong></em></a><em><strong> lost 54.6% of duels</strong></em></p>
<p id="T2Fwae">Watford’s second half success was undoubtedly built on them outbattling Everton and typically being first to second balls. Indeed, Watford won 54.6% of duels in the game, and an even more resounding 57.1% of aerial duels. </p>
<p id="V0FTuS">This week needs to be a learning curve for Everton after dropping points against two physical sides they should be beating at home.</p>
<h2 id="QIjw0N">A Game of Two Halves</h2>
<p id="u0Hltl"><em><strong>Watford dominated start of second half</strong></em></p>
<p id="bxl4cj">Despite it being a very disappointing result for Evertonians – and even a point the Blues were lucky to steal – Everton actually put in a good performance in the first half, but struggled to match Watford’s intensity in the second half.</p>
<p id="QZ401i">Before Watford had even scored, they dominated after the break, with 35.5% of the action in Everton’s defensive third and Watford dominating possession seeing 62% of the ball in this period.</p>
<h2 id="N7kg3u">Richarlison Returns</h2>
<p id="yVnERH"><em><strong>Only Salah, Aubameyang and Kane have scored more this season</strong></em></p>
<p id="VQSyDn">Richarlison put in his best Everton performance in over a month against his former club and showed his ruthless streak once again to put the Blues ahead in the first half.</p>
<p id="FI0vUB">The Brazilian is a natural finisher and has seen 75% of his 20 shots hit the target this season, with eight of those finding the net.</p>
<h2 id="5ksWLA">More of the Same from Walcott</h2>
<p id="aPrInS"><em><strong>Winger still lacking impact</strong></em></p>
<p id="J9S66F">For the ninth consecutive game that <span>Theo Walcott</span> has started, he’s had the fewest touches (25) of any outfield Everton player. </p>
<p id="3Wvi3l">Indeed, his replacement, Lookman, almost matched him in terms of touches (21) despite only replacing him in the 65<sup>th</sup> minute. Lookman did, though, make more passes and crosses than Walcott in his cameo.</p>
<p id="yXKxJf">Defensively, too, Walcott came up short again and was the only starting player not to make a tackle or interception.</p>
<p id="o0TQJM">Hopefully Walcott can rediscover the intensity he brought when he first joined Everton in January, but in the meantime, Lookman simply has to start ahead of him.</p>
<h2 id="0RsCYV">Digne Dominant</h2>
<p id="7pJo1a"><em><strong>Frenchman puts in 5 successful crosses</strong></em></p>
<p id="2GGD7d">As well as scoring his first Everton goal in injury time, Lucas Digne was again a driving force from left-back, coming second only to Andre Gomes in terms of touches and number of passes. A very reminiscent performance of Baines in his pomp.</p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/11/18135809/everton-watford-premier-league-stats-richarlison-lucas-digne-theo-walcottPete Reynolds2018-12-11T10:37:13+00:002018-12-11T10:37:13+00:00Everton 2-2 Watford: Three thoughts | Derby hangover, striking issues, right-side problem
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<img alt="Everton FC v Watford FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/w8ZR5-Ka9U-KEVV9-ozd3uLKBf4=/620x0:3781x2107/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62661389/1080703492.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Further reflections from a disappointing performance against the Hornets</p> <h3 id="9ebFyM">Are Everton suffering a post-derby hangover?</h3>
<p id="kaa67l">It’s been a spirit-crushing 10 days for Everton. </p>
<p id="8bog8Y">The Toffees looked to be gathering some crucial momentum as they headed across Stanley Park last weekend with five wins from their previous seven league matches.</p>
<p id="hVsVHX">They responded with an impressive performance - as good as I’ve seen them play at Anfield in some time - but the heartbreaking nature of the defeat looks to have had a long-lasting affect.</p>
<p id="Hravfh">Home games against <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a> and Watford were the perfect opportunity to launch an immediate recovery and get things back on track. Instead we have seen two flat performances that were fortunate to yield two points.</p>
<p id="n8NsqS">There are certainly more specific issues with the side at present, some of which we will discuss later in this piece. But I wonder whether the team’s confidence has been shot following that Anfield disappointment?</p>
<p id="RKcBbI">It’s hard to quantify how confidence, belief and momentum can affect a team’s performance but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the team have turned out two disappointing outings in the immediate aftermath of the derby.</p>
<p id="xicggp">With games against <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a> and Tottenham to come, with the busy festive period to follow after that, Everton have picked the worst time to suffer a dip in form.</p>
<p id="VLD7bJ">A number of sides have already begun to bunch up immediately behind us and it seems likely the Toffees will sucked back into mid-table in the coming weeks.</p>
<p id="Y8GvkP">They need to shake off any disappointment quickly, put this part of the season behind them and re-focus on the new challenges ahead.</p>
<h3 id="pq3PBj">Striking issues</h3>
<p id="O4K7NC">Richarlison’s early opener made it eight goals for the Brazilian in what has already been a fine debut season in a royal blue shirt. But the question of who is deployed around him remains something up for debate.</p>
<p id="jdTsBi"><span>Theo Walcott</span> began brightly but faded badly, with his penetrating runs failing to yield an end product. On the opposite flank, Bernard also started well and linked up with Lucas Digne down the left. But the diminutive forward also faded and was replaced just after the hour. Ademola Lookman is the obvious player to come in, but he failed to truly grasp his opportunity from the start against Newcastle so may have to be content with his role of super-sub.</p>
<p id="rK03HD">Then there is the issue of the central striker. Richarlison was again pushed up top where he has been effective at times but was buffeted by Watford’s central defenders. Referee Kevin Friend had obviously made a conscious pre-match decision not to give the Brazilian anything, perhaps thinking the 21-year-old goes down too easily. That may have been the case at times, but there was no doubt that the forward was subjected to some rough treatment that went unpunished. At one point he suffered a forearm smash to the back of the head but Friend waved play on, not even stopping play to treat a potential head injury, with Troy Deeney going on to have an attempt at goal.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Everton FC v Watford FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XS0t1WTClrRwSNl92TfH0eZlisk=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13617957/1080412802.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="TeJazl">The natural option therefore is to switch Richarlison back to the left and bring on another central striker. But that’s where the problems begin. </p>
<p id="j8hRzt">Cenk Tosun sadly doesn’t look equipped to fit into Marco Silva’s system. The attitude and commitment is there, but he doesn’t look mobile enough. Dominic Calvert-Lewin meanwhile has potential and versatility, but isn’t yet ready to hold down a regular first-team place in that crucial position.</p>
<p id="yFxyMQ">It’s no surprise therefore that the club have been linked with a striker in the January <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a>. That would free up Richarlison to move back to the left as well as easing the goalscoring burden on his shoulders.</p>
<p id="nkqpbu">That’s easier said than done of course, the January window is notoriously tough. So we may have to remain patient and wait until the summer to get the right man or risk either paying over the odds or landing someone who isn’t their first choice.</p>
<h3 id="B0AMoN">Right side issues</h3>
<p id="M7a6ln">As mentioned, Walcott’s position in the starting line-up is under scrutiny after a succession of patchy performances. </p>
<p id="2Hat0E">The former <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> forward also struggled to link-up with <span>Seamus Coleman</span> down the right, another recurring issue over the past few weeks.</p>
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<img alt="Everton FC v Watford FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MymP_xYmw0OMlpOm4buibUcK2vY=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13617958/1080451652.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="xayUaY">We all saw Coleman’s reaction to his critics when scoring against Brighton a few weeks ago. The Irishman is fiercely proud and a dedicated professional, so he is not one to shy away from a challenge. But I can’t help fearing that the serious injury he suffered last year has permanently shorn something from his game.</p>
<p id="z0aNf2">The 30-year-old gamely gets forward to join in attacks but doesn’t seem as effective as he once was, while his distribution and defensive positioning is occasionally suspect. There is no blame attached to him for the own goal of course, but I do feel some of the criticism aimed in his direction in recent months has been justified, even if I’m loathed to do so given his regular habit of proving people wrong.</p>
<p id="vomgdB">I hope I’m wrong about Coleman too I really do. But as we start to look ahead at the next stage of Silva and Marcel Brands’ rebuilding project, I can’t help feeling that a striker and two right-sided players should be next on their transfer shortlist.</p>
<p id="6J3dP2"></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/11/18135768/everton-2-2-watford-three-thoughts-richarlison-theo-walcott-seamus-coleman-cenk-tosun-transfersTom Mallows2018-12-11T07:00:01+00:002018-12-11T07:00:01+00:00Disappointed Silva reflects on Watford draw
<figure>
<img alt="Everton FC v Watford FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_jpOiHoMxbRK11YpPCzwiU9cD4s=/0x0:4416x2944/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62660771/1071527452.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Marco Silva was frustrated with Everton’s performance on Monday night | Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Blues manager felt his side lost focus in his first match against his previous club</p> <p id="MuEkbE"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> manager Marco Silva bemoaned his side’s loss of focus in their 2-2 home draw with Watford FC on Monday night.</p>
<p id="GFQniP">The Blues took the lead against the club who sacked Silva in January on 15 minutes through fellow former Hornet Richarlison, and went into half-time with their 1-0 lead still intact.</p>
<p id="aNomBz">But two Watford strikes in quick succession just after the hour mark, courtesy of a <span>Seamus Coleman</span> own goal and Abdoulaye Doucouré, gave the visitors a deserved lead after Everton had toiled.</p>
<p id="XS5fgt">A 96th-minute Lucas Digne freekick rescued a point for the Toffees, but it was not enough to leave Silva wholly satisfied. Speaking to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/46515480">BBC Sport</a>, he said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="oR6ODi">“It is a difficult match to talk about whether it [a draw] is fair or not. Second half they reacted and scored twice because we didn’t do what’s normal in our team. In that moment we have to keep playing our football.</p>
<p id="n6f4nN">“First half we more or less controlled them in a better way, second half we didn’t. In these moments we have to be strong when we play against teams doing what they [Watford] did, and with the ball we have to keep playing in our way. We didn’t do that in the second half.”</p>
</blockquote>
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<img alt="Everton FC v Watford FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_DAyRMF3Kk__pUpZqlQh3gsnI5M=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13617294/1080442376.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Everton sneaked a point thanks to Digne’s late free kick</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="enWlqy">Watford started the second half by far the better side, with Everton barely able to break out of their own half before Roberto Pereyra’s 63rd-minute shot the woodwork before rebounding off Coleman into the net for the equaliser.</p>
<p id="JPn5r3">Two minutes later, through Doucouré’s close-range header, they were suddenly behind, and Silva admitted that Everton managed the game poorly having been relatively comfortable until half-time:</p>
<blockquote><p id="zJVjFR">“We completely lost our focus in that moment. One moment, we are under control and then the first goal is a lack of communication and the second, they played fast from a free kick and our players did not have a normal focus to react. It’s our fault; they reacted and they scored twice.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="RIcrvP">Minutes after falling behind, Gylfi Sigurðsson spurned the chance to draw Everton level as his penalty was easily saved by Watford goalkeeper <span>Ben Foster</span>; the second spot-kick that Sigurðsson has missed this season.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Everton FC v Watford FC - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TNa6bYVs5IKwsZJCAR5wLw99EgA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13617296/1071527464.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Sigurðsson’s poor penalty was comfortably kept out by Foster</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="97x7D4">But Silva backed the Icelandic international, who has seven goals this term, and would not be drawn on whether he would be replaced as the Blues’ first-choice penalty taker, saying:</p>
<blockquote><p id="hN5SzH">“Let’s see what we can do. We will analyse the match, we will see what decisions we can make in the future. Gylfi is scoring many, many goals for us as well. He has all of our support in this moment.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="6v5W7K">Silva also praised Digne for his excellent last-gasp free-kick which salvaged a draw, as the summer signing from Barcelona celebrated his first goal for the club:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="RSC2nX">“For me, he showed good things because he showed personality and character to take the decision to kick that ball.</p>
<p id="VYnhDZ">“Normally, everybody expects Gylfi to kick it because it is his strong side but Lucas took that decision and scored a very good goal.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="DB1MTo">The Blues manager also said that the frosty reception he received from the away fans, with many brandishing rubber snakes in reference to Silva’s acrimonious departure from Vicarage Road in January did not make the late equaliser any sweeter, adding that he harbours no resentment towards Watford:</p>
<blockquote><p id="c74Beh">“It’s not important to me. What I can control is our players, our way of playing, what we have to do on the pitch, our fans, and doing everything we can to make them proud.”</p></blockquote>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/11/18135294/everton-2-2-watford-recap-marco-silva-reaction-disappointed-richarlison-sigurdsson-penalty-dignematthew.chandler2018-12-10T22:34:09+00:002018-12-10T22:34:09+00:00Everton 2-2 Watford: Instant Reaction | Chaos
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<img alt="Everton FC v Watford FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lXg5yk7gAIkUFG0EFQIjd0HHNF0=/0x0:3807x2538/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62658960/1080412572.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>what</p> <p id="0ZxpWB">If you’re a young, aspiring soccer writer at home, let me give you a word of advice. </p>
<p id="gzU5wq">Never, ever pre-write your postgame reaction. It will always bite you in the back. In this case, I’m glad it did, given that Lucas Digne scored a beautiful free kick with essentially no time on the clock to equalize against a much superior <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/watford-fc">Watford FC</a> side. </p>
<p id="VES0VU">It was not a deserved point, and so, escaping from Goodison Park with our tails between our legs seems like the right thing to do. </p>
<aside id="XKlfkx"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton vs Watford: Player Grades Poll","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/10/18135123/everton-vs-watford-player-grades-poll-man-of-the-match-manager-ratings"},{"title":"Everton vs Watford: Live Blog | Digne equalizes at the death!!","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/10/18134382/everton-watford-highlights-reaction-marco-silva-sigurdsson-penalty-saved-richarlison-coleman-digne"}]}'></div></aside><p id="z1CNNp"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/"><s>Everton</s></a><s> wasted another opportunity against a team less talented than they are, and have now only won one point out of the last nine available. A heartbreaking loss at Anfield was followed by the mediocre draw against </s><a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/"><s>Newcastle</s></a><s>, and today’s 2-1 loss to Javi Gracia’s Watford side was perhaps the most annoying result of all. </s></p>
<ul>
<li id="9qvsrC">
<s>Marco Silva reverted back to his favorite starting 11 (you know, the one with Richarlison up top), and while it felt like it was working for a spell, the final result said otherwise. The Blues continue to go without goals from Bernard and </s><span><s>Theo Walcott</s></span><s>, and their ineffectiveness in front of goal is a serious problem. </s>
</li>
<li id="JmlRZL"><s>As fans, it’s difficult to understand why the players and managers cannot bring a certain level of consistency. Everton’s big problem isn’t their form against the top six, but a consistent inability to beat teams like Watford and Newcastle. We truly don’t ask for much, guys. Just perform. </s></li>
<li id="nd7LRl"><s>Watford deserved their result today, and it could have been worse, given that Richarlison’s first half goal should have pretty clearly been ruled offside thanks to Theo Walcott’s touch in the run up. Kevin Friend gave us a break, and we still couldn’t capitalize. </s></li>
<li id="kgi0vi">
<s>Everton can create enough chances in matches, and they can defend properly in others. It’s rare, though, that we’ve seen them do both at once, and the upcoming match against </s><a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/"><s>Manchester City</s></a><s> isn’t a great time to try and get yourself sorted out. This might get worse before it gets better. </s>
</li>
<li id="WRnVdt"><s>The players are there. The manager is there. The mindset, as ever, is a problem. Everton that.</s></li>
</ul>
<aside id="Pe1iZU"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton vs Watford: Hornets lead 2-1, Sigurdsson penalty saved!","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/10/18134382/everton-watford-richarlison-goal-highlights-reaction-marco-silva-sigurdsson-penalty-saved"}]}'></div></aside><p id="XpT83q">Do we have to go to the Etihad? </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/10/18135012/everton-watford-2-2-score-recap-results-reaction-goals-highlights-richarlison-marco-silva-latestevertonchris2018-12-10T22:15:03+00:002018-12-10T22:15:03+00:00Everton vs Watford: Player Grades Poll
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<img alt="Everton FC v Watford FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/97XvbrM-ON7gzUTX9XXhHqm33Dk=/65x0:4171x2737/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62659121/1071512616.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Grade the Everton players and manager on their performance today </p> <p id="RkJ5qL">Who was your <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> Man of the Match in today’s game against <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/watford-fc">Watford FC</a>? Vote to grade the players and manager 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/QYIXY8dZwrTC8Eka2"><em><strong>click here</strong></em></a><em> to go and grade the players - we apologize for the inconvenience.</em></p>
<div id="iA6dxx"><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSev8hTxbLbZbn0pPnpFcdaynyzPAdF4g-6Tm3ZvhGSIMvXWKg/viewform?embedded=true" width="100%" height="800" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0">Loading...</iframe></div>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/10/18135123/everton-vs-watford-player-grades-poll-man-of-the-match-manager-ratingsCalvin2018-12-10T22:01:45+00:002018-12-10T22:01:45+00:00Everton vs Watford: Live Blog | Digne equalizes at the death!!
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<img alt="Everton FC v Watford FC - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kl5NUnnbQSvkLh5rGtls4i62aJg=/0x0:2145x1430/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62656806/1080400650.jpg.1544463297.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>How to watch the game at Goodison Park tonight</p> <h1 id="iWQECk">Live Blog</h1>
<p id="qfTPqj"><strong>Fulltime -</strong> Somehow Everton steal a point in a game they really deserved to lose. Wednesday the Blues deserved to win and only got a point. Two points out of two home games for the Blues against Newcastle and Watford is a big problem however. </p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/F7zUkMFwXgLWnTzKIh0bhJKdFGo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13616914/EVEWAT.jpg">
<cite><a class="ql-link" href="https://www.premierleague.com/match/38463" target="_blank">Premier League</a></cite>
<figcaption>Fulltime Stats</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="u58HJZ">90+5’ - Panic stations now. Kabasele handles just outside the box, Everton freekick about the middle. Who to take?<br>DIGNE THE MAN!!! Curls a shot in through a gap in the wall, and his first Everton goal could not have been more important for the Blues!!</p>
<div id="e47WIm"><div style="width:100%;height:0px;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.327%;"><iframe src="https://streamja.com/embed/VONg" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen="" style="width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="tvWHGv">90’ - Long throw from Digne wins a corner. Digne takes.. Richarlison shot blocked for another corner. Digne from the right now, inswinger cleared. </p>
<p id="x2Vjof">88’ - Now Keane is forward supporting Coleman on the right, cross into the box is headed by Sigurdsson but well-taken by Foster. </p>
<p id="xeBXOa">84’ - Just as we say that, Watford have now held the ball in the Blues half for the last few minutes and Everton look tired and powerless. </p>
<p id="Q60Ira">80’ - Everton are finally holding the ball in the opposition half consistently, but not getting any clear chances with the box as crowded as it is. </p>
<p id="mFsNS7">75’ - Watford now sitting deep, happy to absorb pressure and hit the Blues on the counter. </p>
<p id="mulfVw">70’ - Now Richarlison misses from just yards out! Ball gets tangled up in his feet when all he had to do was kick it in. <br>What a horrendous few minutes it’s been for the Blues, with three things going against them. Ugh.<br>Silva has made all his substitutions in very quick succession - Lookman, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Tosun are all on, Walcott, Bernard and Gueye are off. </p>
<p id="zUf7hd">67’ - Penalty Everton! Kabasele mounts Mina as he waits for a throw in! No doubt about it. <br>Sigurdsson steps up.. SAVED! Goalie kicks it away as Gylfi hits it down the middle!</p>
<div id="zpdLXQ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a save! Foster blocks Sigurdsson's penalty with his leg! <a href="https://t.co/klMwYZkG4r">pic.twitter.com/klMwYZkG4r</a></p>— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1072241370721587200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="PDzImU">65’ - Now it’s 2-1 Watford! Doucoure gets on the end of a quick freekick that catches the defence napping. Coleman and Keane left looking at each other. </p>
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<p id="vFMOxW">63’ - Watford equalize, and are good value for it too. Digne slips and allows a cross into the box that Pereyra meets.. it hits the post and ricochets back into the goal off a helpless Coleman. Ooof. </p>
<div id="tUf4GE"><div style="width:100%;height:0px;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.327%;"><iframe src="https://streamja.com/embed/1Zl6" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen="" style="width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="zLwBmI">58’ - Everton sitting back too deep now. Watford win a couple of quick corners and keep the pressure on. <br>Gomes looks to have hurt his knee and is on the ground. He’s fine for now. <br>Gerard Deulofeu is the first sub, and is given a rousing round of applause. </p>
<p id="q0Igfu">54’ - Success with a blatant dive backing into Mina just outside the box, and this time Friend does blow for a freekick. <br>Pereyra whips it in and Pickford is beaten, but it’s into the side-netting. </p>
<p id="tf33mz">50’ - The referees appear to having some issues with their communication systems. Appears the miscommunication started much earlier. </p>
<p id="C9WAMF">47’ - Watford start the second half with purpose and win an early corner, but it’s cleared away. </p>
<p id="n0xjgZ"><strong>Halftime -</strong> Blues lead, though Watford aren’t going away quietly. And then there’s referee Kevin Friend. More drama to come in this one, you can bet. </p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pFQ2sMmjnwZydqIr76m6Zinr4Ks=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13616747/EVEWAT.jpg">
<cite><a class="ql-link" href="https://www.premierleague.com/match/38463" target="_blank">Premier League</a></cite>
<figcaption>EVEWAT Halftime Stats</figcaption>
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<p id="ecElGn">45+1’ - Success breaks free and runs at the goal, and Mina steps across him.. the winger collapses again and Goodison holds its collective breath.. but referee Friend instead says play on. Hmm. </p>
<p id="TU7xX5">45’ - Kabasele clatters into Richarlison going for a high ball, and the Brazilian is down holding his head, and Goodison is in uproar as ref indicates play on. We’ll have one more minute. </p>
<p id="Bj9mZG">43’ - Digne and Sigurdsson combine beautifully down the left, the Icelander’s finish is blocked out for a corner though. Corner is cleared away and the break is on, but Digne cleans up. </p>
<p id="3MiRDa">40’ - More Watford pressure wins a corner but it’s cleared away. They’re allowing Everton to come forward down the wings, and then trying to counter at speed into those spaces. </p>
<p id="i0JQP8">38’ - Blues opened up on the break and Pereyra’s flying header from a freekick is just wide. <br>The Goodison crowd is meanwhile getting more and more furious with every decision by referee Kevin Friend. He’s certainly let some challenges go that should’ve been fouls, and vice versa. </p>
<p id="j9MNVb">35’ - Blues livid as Success goes up against Keane and then goes down easily. Freekick is cleared away but Watford keeping up the pressure on the Blues. Success’ movement certainly causing problems for the Blues. </p>
<p id="mPOmrM">32’ - What’s this then? Coleman us moving around gingerly and Baines is warming up now. </p>
<p id="10QdLn">28’ - Walcott gets by Cholevas and is hauled down. This game will be won or lost on the wings. <br>Now Coleman charges forward and wins another corner. Keane heads it on and Digne hits it wildly over. </p>
<p id="uIrCSz">27’ - Mina first in the book for an intentional handball trying to get to a cross in the opponents’ box from Sigurdsson. </p>
<p id="Z6colP">25’ - Both Walcott and Bernard have looked more alive today, getting involved in play and making runs. </p>
<p id="p9rXBR">21’ - Success shows some quick feet and is hauled down by Gomes about 20-odd yards from goal. Cholevas to take.. blocked by the wall and cleared. </p>
<p id="sjapVr">17’ - Drama! Coleman gets run into by Success off the ball, referee doesn’t stop play and somehow Deeney hooks it over the bar from three yards out. That was surely offside too, not sure what the ref has given.</p>
<p id="a6nz4E">15’ - Blues lead 1-0! Richarlison puts it in, but assistant referee completely misses Walcott being offside! Gomes had passed it to him and Theo was well off but Gomes ran on to it and his centre is banged in by the Brazilian with Watford waiting for the offside decision. VAR would have overturned that. </p>
<div id="g3PDB8"><div style="width:100%;height:0px;position:relative;padding-bottom:56.327%;"><iframe src="https://streamja.com/embed/oE1L" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen="" style="width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="gLyzrW">12’ - Horrible giveaway from Doucoure sees Richarlison running on goal, but his final pass to Sigurdsson is not good enough. <br>Pereyra hauls down Coleman down the right. Sigurdsson’s freekick is met by Mina, but his header is well wide. </p>
<p id="tUtcWl">10’ - Walcott goes down in the box finding a Sigurdsson return, but he was just offside. He looks full of running today. </p>
<p id="B4zHUj">7’ - Another egregious turnover from Gana in his own half almost causes the Blues more trouble. Focus man!</p>
<p id="uxO01C">3’ - Walcott gets his head onto a Digne cross, but it’s tame and straight at the goalie. </p>
<p id="2SRRH2">1’ - Everton get us started. A Gueye giveaway gets Watford on the move, and Pereyra finds himself in plenty of space but scuffs the shot straight at Pickford. </p>
<p id="ukytix">The Watford fans have promised to greet Marco Silva with rubber snakes. Ahem. Here’s a picture of Silva giving a damn. </p>
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<p id="VhnuAR">Z-Cars blaring, the two teams in the tunnel.. Coleman leading the Blues out looking grim and determined as ever. </p>
<p id="5c0aqT"><strong>Lineups -</strong> Surprise surprise, Marco Silva goes back to his default starting XI again. </p>
<div id="1IaEgw">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> | Ok, Blues, here's your team for tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFCMatchday?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EFCMatchday</a>...<br><br>3️⃣ changes.<br>➡️ <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelkeane04?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@michaelkeane04</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/theowalcott?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@theowalcott</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/b_10duarte?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@b_10duarte</a> return.<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/richarlison97?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@richarlison97</a> leads the line. <br><br>LET'S GO, LADS! <a href="https://t.co/oEkrWWQaK3">pic.twitter.com/oEkrWWQaK3</a></p>— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/1072204400364544007?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="KjapUU">There’s every chance a proper football match could break out tonight at Goodison Park. <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> will be looking to get back to winning ways after their heartbreaking loss in the Derby and followed it up with a toothless draw midweek against <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a>. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/watford-fc">Watford FC</a> meanwhile have frittered away an excellent start to the season and will be looking to get some measure of revenge for their assumed slight for the Blues’ approach for Marco Silva last season. </p>
<aside id="r8VsZW"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton vs Watford: Premier League Matchday 16","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/10/18134370/everton-watford-2018-how-to-watch-live-stream-preview-starting-lineups-injury-update-news-latest"},{"title":"School of Science Radio, Episode 15: Derby fallout, Newcastle & Watford predictions","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/4/18125581/school-of-science-radio-episode-15-merseyside-derby-fallout-everton-newcastle-watford-predictions"}]}'></div></aside><h1 id="gkOSli">Match Details</h1>
<p id="Tn0k5V"><strong>Date and start time:</strong> Sunday, December 10th at 12:00pm PT / 3:00pm ET / 8:00pm BST</p>
<p id="jLb1aE"><strong>Stadium:</strong> Goodison Park, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/england">England</a>, United Kingdom</p>
<p id="sd4UgU"><strong>Capacity:</strong> 39,572</p>
<p id="jWmOa0"><strong>Weather: </strong>47°F/8°C, partly cloudy, 0% chance of precipitation, 4 mph winds</p>
<h1 id="NylbZy">How to Watch/Listen</h1>
<p id="ZqDVb5"><strong>TV:</strong> NBCSN - <em>United States</em><em>; </em>Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event <em>- </em> <em>United Kingdom,</em> TSN4, TSN5 - <em>Canada</em>, SuperSport 3, RMC Sport 3, beIN Sports</p>
<p id="mGBAfE"><strong>Radio: </strong>Everton Match Centre, BBC Radio 5 Live, TalkSport Radio World, SiriusXM FC</p>
<p id="41ULCC"><strong>Live stream:</strong> <a href="http://nbcsports.com/">NBCSports.com</a>, Telemundo, <a href="https://fave.co/2OrDihv" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">fuboTV</a>, TSN GO, beIN Sports Connect, Flow Sports App, Optus Sport</p>
<p id="FsYgq9"><strong>Gamethread:</strong> Liveblog will be updated above from one hour before kickoff</p>
<p id="eB2O1I"><a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3018819/liverpool-vs-everton/">Information from LiveSoccerTV.com</a></p>
<h1 id="k6zWnV">Lineups</h1>
<h3 id="Zz6RPN">Everton</h3>
<p id="YuqXMK"><strong>Starting XI:</strong> Pickford; Digne, Mina, Keane, Coleman; Gomes, Gueye; Bernard, Sigurdsson, Walcott; Richarlison</p>
<p id="HBo89P"><strong>Subs:</strong> Stekelenburg, Baines, Zouma, Davies, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Tosun</p>
<h3 id="hYm7g5">Watford</h3>
<p id="8vQ3XZ"><strong>Starting X</strong><strong>I:</strong> Foster; Kiko Femenía, Kabasele, Cathcart, Holebas; Sema, Quina, Doucouré, Pereyra; Success, Deeney.</p>
<p id="npi2TT"><strong>Subs:</strong> Gomes, Mariappa, Masina, Wilmot, Chalobah, Deulofeu, Okaka</p>
<h1 id="iU70m7">Last Meeting</h1>
<p id="lj9s6t">The last time the two sides met at Goodison we had a five-goal thriller, with the Blues making a furious comeback from two goals down to tie it up late. Then Leighton Baines dispatched a penalty to push Everton into the lead only for <span>Jordan Pickford</span> to concede a penalty in time added on, and former Blue Tom Cleverley went on to place it wide to give Dave Unsworth his first win. That epic second half lasted an unbelievable 58 minutes! </p>
<p id="Ef9OS3">Richarlison had opened the scoring for the Hornets in that game, and happily for the Toffees he’ll be in blue tonight. Watford did nip Everton 1-0 in their last meeting back in February this year, with captain Troy Deeney scoring in an awful football game. </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/12/10/18134382/everton-watford-highlights-reaction-marco-silva-sigurdsson-penalty-saved-richarlison-coleman-digneCalvin