Why would anyone actively seek a place to watch Everton play? Go and enjoy your day mate.
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Match Thread Everton v Manchester City - Preview, Match Report and MotM Poll
- Thread starter Goat
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Why would anyone actively seek a place to watch Everton play? Go and enjoy your day mate.
mmmmsnouts
Player Valuation: £40m
Be lucky to keep this under 20 tbh
45-7 to Man City
Charles Hawtrey
Player Valuation: £50m
Nice article from Sporting Life
Alex Keble · Columnist
11:36 · September 26, 2019 · 5 min read
Despite winning 8-0 last time out, Alex Keble argues that Man City could still be vulnerable at Goodison on Saturday - if the right Everton turn up.
Everton v Man City
The real tests start this weekend. Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho as a centre-back partnership should worry City fans; for the next five weeks there is a major chink in their usually imperious armour. Everton at Goodison Park is the first genuine opportunity for a Premier League club to build on Norwich City’s 3-2 win at Carrow Road and shift the title battle in Liverpool’s favour.
Everton’s tactics - or lack of them
But it all depends on whether Everton actually show up. Their drift under Marco Silva is slightly alarming even at this early stage of the season, because despite spending £120 million in the summer the Toffees are as aimless as they were throughout the 2018/19 campaign. What, exactly, is Silva trying to achieve?
In previous spells at Hull City and Watford Silva looked to play with a quick tempo, funnelling attacks vertically through the middle of the pitch in a way not unlike Mauricio Pochettino. He rarely moves away from a 4-2-3-1 formation and the double axis in central midfield plays a vital role in maintaining a high tempo; Silva demands athleticism and verticality from both, hence the signing of Fabien Delph.
Another similarity with Pochettino is Silva’s use of ultra-attacking full-backs, of huge significance to his tactics for the width they provide in an otherwise narrow team shape. Andrew Robertson and Jose Holebas were crucial for Silva’s old clubs, just as Lucas Digne has become a focal point at Everton.
City’s possession can help Everton
There are glimpses of a tactical plan at Everton, although more often than not they drift aimlessly, failing to play with any sense of togetherness, tempo, or purpose. Defeats at Aston Villa and Bournemouth, followed by the 2-0 loss at home to Sheffield United, are hardly good preparation for Saturday’s game.
But then again they will surely be more focused for this one, not just because the fans inside Goodison Park will create a febrile atmosphere but because their tactics will be simplified by City’s dominance of possession. Having to sit back and defend for long periods should keep Everton’s shape compressed where previously the midfield has become disconnected, with Delph and Morgan Schneiderlin – quite a flat-footed partnership – not so easily turned when hunched close to the back four.
The only real way to play City, whether you like it or not, is on the counter-attack – and so Everton’s directionless possession football this season will not be much of a problem. Instead, they will look to release their quicker players in behind City’s vulnerable back line, just as Norwich did at Carrow Road.
How Silva can exploit City’s defence
Even Watford broke Otamendi and Fernandinho, Gerard Deulofeu finding himself clean through on goal and almost equalising early on in a move very similar to Norwich’s second goal the week before (when Teemu Pukki gave Todd Cantwell a tap-in). There is no doubt City’s high line is weakened by these two in defence, their win percentage dropping dramatically over the last two seasons whenever Aymeric Laporte and Vincent Kompany are absent.
Perhaps the best option for Everton is to play Richarlison through the middle, just as Deulofeu started up front for Watford. Richarlison’s confidence, power, and ruthlessness when given space to run into makes him a worrying prospect for City, particularly if Gylfi Sigurdsson can find room to slip through balls in behind. One side effect of playing Fernandinho in defence is losing him from midfield, and Rodri is yet to show the defensive positional ability needed to entirely cut off counter-attacks that funnel through a number ten like Sigurdsson.
Alex Iwobi is another player who must start. The former Arsenal winger has an under-rated ability to break the lines, to weave towards goal with quick short passes to his team-mates; he is a counter-attacking weapon who could link with a more central Richarlison to devastating effect.
The key players on Saturday
Digne’s role is crucial. His contribution to Everton’s attack will be greatly reduced by the presence of Kevin de Bruyne supporting Bernardo Silva on his side, and yet one fancies he needs to get up and down the pitch for Everton to compete. More importantly, Digne’s defensive qualities can be called into question; an overlapping De Bruyne’s battle with Digne could define the contest.
Moise Kean’s composure has been an issue in his short Everton career, and so if he starts against City much will depend on the young striker’s finishing. Tom Davies, oddly side-lined by Silva, deserves a chance in the first team and cries from the Everton fans are only getting louder. He could, from the bench, give the hosts the forward-thinking impetus to trouble City’s defence.
Sigurdsson remains a key player - despite his poor form - for set-piece delivery alone, since City mainly concede from corners and freekicks. Everton are equally vulnerable, mind, meaning big performances from Michael Keane and Yerry Mina are needed.
Do Everton really stand a chance?
To beat Man City requires 10/10 performances from all 11 players, a perfect tactical battle-plan, and a huge slice of luck. But it is possible that Goodison Park creates an atmosphere that inspires the players to dig in, hold their own in the midfield battle, and pounce on City’s defensive problems via Richarlison, Iwobi, and Sigurdsson.
As in the 4-0 victory over Man City three years ago or the 4-0 win against Manchester United in April this year, the Everton faithful are capable of making their home a hostile place for big clubs. Forget the 8-0 at the Etihad, Man City are – by their standards – a wounded animal right now. Everton have the quality to stick the knife in.
Alex Keble · Columnist
11:36 · September 26, 2019 · 5 min read
Despite winning 8-0 last time out, Alex Keble argues that Man City could still be vulnerable at Goodison on Saturday - if the right Everton turn up.
Everton v Man City
- 5.30pm Sky Sports Premier League
The real tests start this weekend. Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho as a centre-back partnership should worry City fans; for the next five weeks there is a major chink in their usually imperious armour. Everton at Goodison Park is the first genuine opportunity for a Premier League club to build on Norwich City’s 3-2 win at Carrow Road and shift the title battle in Liverpool’s favour.
Everton’s tactics - or lack of them
But it all depends on whether Everton actually show up. Their drift under Marco Silva is slightly alarming even at this early stage of the season, because despite spending £120 million in the summer the Toffees are as aimless as they were throughout the 2018/19 campaign. What, exactly, is Silva trying to achieve?
In previous spells at Hull City and Watford Silva looked to play with a quick tempo, funnelling attacks vertically through the middle of the pitch in a way not unlike Mauricio Pochettino. He rarely moves away from a 4-2-3-1 formation and the double axis in central midfield plays a vital role in maintaining a high tempo; Silva demands athleticism and verticality from both, hence the signing of Fabien Delph.
Another similarity with Pochettino is Silva’s use of ultra-attacking full-backs, of huge significance to his tactics for the width they provide in an otherwise narrow team shape. Andrew Robertson and Jose Holebas were crucial for Silva’s old clubs, just as Lucas Digne has become a focal point at Everton.
City’s possession can help Everton
There are glimpses of a tactical plan at Everton, although more often than not they drift aimlessly, failing to play with any sense of togetherness, tempo, or purpose. Defeats at Aston Villa and Bournemouth, followed by the 2-0 loss at home to Sheffield United, are hardly good preparation for Saturday’s game.
But then again they will surely be more focused for this one, not just because the fans inside Goodison Park will create a febrile atmosphere but because their tactics will be simplified by City’s dominance of possession. Having to sit back and defend for long periods should keep Everton’s shape compressed where previously the midfield has become disconnected, with Delph and Morgan Schneiderlin – quite a flat-footed partnership – not so easily turned when hunched close to the back four.
The only real way to play City, whether you like it or not, is on the counter-attack – and so Everton’s directionless possession football this season will not be much of a problem. Instead, they will look to release their quicker players in behind City’s vulnerable back line, just as Norwich did at Carrow Road.
How Silva can exploit City’s defence
Even Watford broke Otamendi and Fernandinho, Gerard Deulofeu finding himself clean through on goal and almost equalising early on in a move very similar to Norwich’s second goal the week before (when Teemu Pukki gave Todd Cantwell a tap-in). There is no doubt City’s high line is weakened by these two in defence, their win percentage dropping dramatically over the last two seasons whenever Aymeric Laporte and Vincent Kompany are absent.
Perhaps the best option for Everton is to play Richarlison through the middle, just as Deulofeu started up front for Watford. Richarlison’s confidence, power, and ruthlessness when given space to run into makes him a worrying prospect for City, particularly if Gylfi Sigurdsson can find room to slip through balls in behind. One side effect of playing Fernandinho in defence is losing him from midfield, and Rodri is yet to show the defensive positional ability needed to entirely cut off counter-attacks that funnel through a number ten like Sigurdsson.
Alex Iwobi is another player who must start. The former Arsenal winger has an under-rated ability to break the lines, to weave towards goal with quick short passes to his team-mates; he is a counter-attacking weapon who could link with a more central Richarlison to devastating effect.
The key players on Saturday
Digne’s role is crucial. His contribution to Everton’s attack will be greatly reduced by the presence of Kevin de Bruyne supporting Bernardo Silva on his side, and yet one fancies he needs to get up and down the pitch for Everton to compete. More importantly, Digne’s defensive qualities can be called into question; an overlapping De Bruyne’s battle with Digne could define the contest.
Moise Kean’s composure has been an issue in his short Everton career, and so if he starts against City much will depend on the young striker’s finishing. Tom Davies, oddly side-lined by Silva, deserves a chance in the first team and cries from the Everton fans are only getting louder. He could, from the bench, give the hosts the forward-thinking impetus to trouble City’s defence.
Sigurdsson remains a key player - despite his poor form - for set-piece delivery alone, since City mainly concede from corners and freekicks. Everton are equally vulnerable, mind, meaning big performances from Michael Keane and Yerry Mina are needed.
Do Everton really stand a chance?
To beat Man City requires 10/10 performances from all 11 players, a perfect tactical battle-plan, and a huge slice of luck. But it is possible that Goodison Park creates an atmosphere that inspires the players to dig in, hold their own in the midfield battle, and pounce on City’s defensive problems via Richarlison, Iwobi, and Sigurdsson.
As in the 4-0 victory over Man City three years ago or the 4-0 win against Manchester United in April this year, the Everton faithful are capable of making their home a hostile place for big clubs. Forget the 8-0 at the Etihad, Man City are – by their standards – a wounded animal right now. Everton have the quality to stick the knife in.
You reckon we will score 7 lol
Desaparecido
Player Valuation: £15m
CBA with all this hoping we lose etc so LFC are disadvantaged, genuinely NEA about them
Desaparecido
Player Valuation: £15m
TheBigIguana
Player Valuation: £100m
One thing I'm interested in is how we handle things when they have the ball. Thus far this season we are the most aggressive pressing team. It is basically the only thing we are doing well. It also is probably a bit inflated due to who we've played to this point. However last season we were in the same neighborhood as the best pressing teams over the entire season.
So we like to press and we are playing the one team most equipped to absolute shred a press and score buckets of goals. Which is what makes this interesting. Do we go for it and press at least similarly to the usual and risk getting beaten 5-0 while also maintaining a chance to win the match? Or do we drop off, bunker deep and pray that we can hold them out and also maybe score off of a rare break or set piece? It probably doesn't matter since we have no attacking play to speak of but I see sitting back as playing for a close defeat and not giving yourself much chance of winning.
So we like to press and we are playing the one team most equipped to absolute shred a press and score buckets of goals. Which is what makes this interesting. Do we go for it and press at least similarly to the usual and risk getting beaten 5-0 while also maintaining a chance to win the match? Or do we drop off, bunker deep and pray that we can hold them out and also maybe score off of a rare break or set piece? It probably doesn't matter since we have no attacking play to speak of but I see sitting back as playing for a close defeat and not giving yourself much chance of winning.
The Missing Lineker
Player Valuation: £1m
For all those wishing we lose just to get at Liverpool. How about this for an alternative wish: we beat City 1-0 and we beat Liverpool 5-0 when they come to visit. That way we play our part in denting Liverpool’s title hopes while strengthening City’s, and at the same time we don’t look petty and bitter but actually come across as normal football fans wanting the best for their team?
deipnosophist
Player Valuation: £80m
Masochists Bar (on MuhlenstraBe) sounds like it should be showing Everton’s match...
I'll have whatever you're smoking m8.
roydo
in memoriam - 1965-2024
Christ, are we going to have another "we want to lose cos of that lot" episode?
I want Everton to win every game they play. Futile, I know. In terms of the league, what will be will be.
Much as I admire Seamus I have to agree he should be sidelined, along with Gylfi, for this game. Tom Davies instead of Schneiderlin and DCL as CF. At home we should get at least a point, but here's hoping for 3. COYB 
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