Morning guys.
A 3pm kick off today which is a rarity these days. This same fixture last season was amazing for Max Dowman. A superb defensive clearance from Gabriel Martinelli into the path of our young superstar and he did the rest. As he bombed towards the Everton goal, Martinelli protected him all the way like a big brother would in real life. Every part of that move was just pure joy to watch.
With Bukayo Saka looking likely to be ruled out for quite a while after suffering an injury against Bayern, Dowman’s chances of playing time have certainly increased. It’s not ideal, because he’s too young young to be playing too many minutes because his body is still growing but the summer transfer window has certainly proved to be a massive disaster in terms of signing replacements for both Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. I think if Saka is out for months, Ethan Nwaneri should return at the first opportunity possible.
Anyway, on to today’s game against Everton.
Both Martin Zubimendi and Piero Hincapie are available which is good news. Who knows, we might end up seeing both Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori on the pitch at the same time someday soon if injuries keep hitting us hard in the attacking department but for today, I suspect it’ll be Noni Madueke and Ebe Eze in the starting lineup. Viktor Gyokeres or Kai Havertz? I’d rather see Swedens in form player get the nod, especially after Havertzs’ struggles in midweek. Also, it was Gyokeres who opened the scoring in this fixture last season.
We’re still without William Saliba of course and Christos Tzolis but hopefully the latter will return before the international break. Before the trip to Anfield next weekend would be even better but I don’t think he’s even back training yet.
Everton could be without Jarrad Branthwaite after he and Emiliano Martinez clashed heads last weekend which left the latter with a broken jaw and Christian Norgaard could miss out too. Another ex Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles could line up against us today though. Let’s hope he doesn’t have his shooting boots on if he does.
Jeorge Bird reported yesterday that academy players James Scanlon, Ife Ibrahim Evan Mooney and Jayden Dixon trained with the first team yesterday but whether they make the first team bench or play for the under 21’s against Leicester City remains to be seen. Same applies to Marli Salmon.
Adrian Clarke, talking tactics in the official matchday programme:
Overall, Everton have a balanced style, but physicality and aggression are always at the heart of what they do best. Centre-backs James Tarkowski and Branthwaite want to dominate their duels and lay the foundation for the rest of the side to thrive. The duo, alongside striker Thierno Barry, boast serious aerial power, with three set-piece goals registered already.
A new-look central midfield of the technically excellent James Garner and 19-year-old Harrison Armstrong is also functioning extremely well. With Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also working in close proximity, the engine room is an area of the pitch Everton aren’t dominated in too often.
Pressing has become a core part of their armoury. While they are content to drop deep and defend their own box when necessary, the Merseysiders are also not afraid to hunt in packs higher up the pitch. They have enjoyed a joint league-high 14 shot-ending high turnovers so far, and are very dangerous in those situations. Moyes will be disappointed with their finishing. They have created an impressive 22 big chances but have converted just four into goals. The full-back areas are also slightly concerning, with multiple errors from them leading to goals.
So, it looks like both our wingers could get some joy down flanks but we’ll need players in the box on the end of any crosses/passes into the box. There’s no good in breaking away quickly or getting down the sides if our front man is still floating around in midfield. We need a target man, a finisher, someone who will ping shots at Pickford’s goal. Not at him though, wide and high of him and at pace with precision. You just never know when a deflection will be on our side.
I doubt this game will be anything like the one played in midweek because I can’t see Moyes sending his players out to go toe to toe with us. I think they will be pragmatic, defensive, call it what you like but as the home team, it’s up to us to take our game to them. From the first whistle and not ten minutes in. Get out of the blocks quickly, set the tempo high and keep it that way. Don’t let them settle into a defensive setup and the best way to do that is an early goal or two.
Make Everton wonder what’s hit them. Again and again and again…
Catch up in the comments..
Good morning Rico, it’s going to be a wet and windy Emirates this afternoon, just the sort of conditions to cause a few errors which could make quite a spectacle, unfortunately very few outside the ground will be able to enjoy it.
Thanks for the pre-match..
Ps, Tottenham vs Arsenal WSL kicks of live 12.30 on BBC 1.
Morning Stuart, I do very well. The stuff of dreams..
Arteta in the centre of Everton’s midfield. 😂
Morning Rico. Who remembers May 11, 2005? One of the finest performances I’ve ever witnessed. With DB10 as conductor Everton were given a right spanking. 7-0.