Everton away has been a bit of a bogey team for us in recent years.
We are now 5 games without a win at Goodison Park; 4 defeats and a single draw. That run takes us back to the 2017/18 season when we thrashed them 5-2.
Those 5 games were tough to watch, with Everton running out winners by a single goal in their 4 wins. We have only scored twice in 5 games.
Considering how poor Everton have been in recent years, it is a shocking statistic. As a result, I am not filled with confidence for Sunday’s game.
Last season, Sean Dyche did Sean Dyche things in his first game in charge of his then new side.
He put out a very solid, big back 4. In front of them was a 5 man midfield which contained plenty of height and hard work. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was upfront.
The game plan was clear. The back 4 sat deep, with a midfield 3 of Doucoure, Gueye and Onana not venturing too far out of their own half. McNeil and Iwobi tucked in as they looked to suffocate Arsenal’s space.
There main attacking hope was to be from set pieces, and low and behold that is how they got their goal.
We huffed and puffed and could not break them down, despite having 71% of the possession.
I expect Dyche to go for similar tactics this weekend.
He is a disciple of the Sam Allardyce methodology. He does not try and win games and, on occassion, when he does get the odd victory over a decent team, he goes on Match of the Day telling everyone what a managerial genius he is.
Dyche would rather fail to win 4 games in a row then beat a top team, then win those 4 games and lose to an Arsenal or Chelsea. It is an odd mentality to have.
I think Gabriel Jesus leading the line could be important this weekend. He has the movement to distrupt an opponents defensive structure.
This could be the sort of game where Kai Havertz also shines. The German is excellent at finding pockets of space in and around the box. You can certainly see the ball being on our left or right, Jesus making a move, taking his marker with him, and Havertz drifting into that space.
Havertz will also be important for corners.
A few people are calling for Leandro Trossard to start the game. But with Everton having one of the tallest teams in the league, we need to ensure our “big boys” are out in force for those corners.
Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz will be our key 5 to defend those corners.
Today is the beginning of a tough little run that sees us play Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea in gthe next 5 games. You fill this period could define whether we remain on City’s coat tails, or begin drifting out of the title race.
UTA
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 