While Everton is still entrenched in a deep slump, the Toffees will be in a more upbeat mood after leveling with Manchester United in the final minutes of a more committed team performance.
They will end a winless run that dates Oct. 30, when the Toffees beat West Ham 2-0. And here’s five reasons why.
5. Romelu Lukaku is well overdue
Can you hear us Romelu? The big Belgian is in the midst of his worst scoring drought since going eight games without a goal to end last season. He hasn’t scored in four matches.
The Toffees won 2-0 against West Ham the last time Lukaku scored. That was about six weeks ago. Watford have the fifth worst defensive record in the Premier League and the 23-year-old needs to capitalise on a beleaguered back four.
Everton usually win when Lukaku scores. They’ve won three of five matches and are yet to lose when their talisman bags one.
4. Watford haven’t lost three in a row…. until now
Watford is the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde team of the Premier League. They haven’t won or lost more than two on the bounce all season. But they’re form lately has been poor. Losing two straight and three of four, the Hornets are in the midst of their worst run of the season.
There’s a marked change in Watford’s recent performances, too. They look incapable of breaking down defenses and are short of ideas in front of goal.
Usually well organised and stout in defense, the Hornets haven’t kept a clean sheet in four matches. Even worse, they’ve conceded 11 goals in four games, including six against a rampant Liverpool at Anfield.
Everton can capitalise on Watford’s shaky confidence by pressing high from the off. A good early start, which has been hard to find for Everton, is crucial to putting an end to this current winless streak.
3. The Toffees are overdue for an away win
Everton haven’t won away since smashing Sunderland 3-0 on Sept. 12. That was almost three months ago. While unbeaten at home, Everton’s away record is woeful. The Toffees, since demolishing Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, have lost four of five, accumulating a single point from a possible 15.
This inconceivable run must come to an end. And what better place to end the streak than Vicarage Road, where Everton have never lost a top-flight match? Even more impressively, the Toffees have won two of their last three matches in Watford, only conceding one goal along the way.
2. Fresh blood in the team
Ronald Koeman was happy with an altogether more committed and dedicated effort against Manchester United last weekend.
Koeman tinkered with his lineup and made the difficult decisions to leave Phil Jagielka and Ross Barkley out. Those decisions paid off in the end. Other than Tom Cleverley, the starting 11 were organised, tough to break down and snuffed out almost every United threat.
Ramiro José Funes Mori, but for a few minor, inconsequential mistakes, admirably replaced Jagielka in the heart of defense. Koeman would be mad not to let Funes Mori retain his starting position.
But for injuries, look for Koeman to keep an unchanged lineup for the Watford encounter. Yannick Bolasie is definitely out while Seamus Coleman could be fit enough to start. But even if he isn’t, Mason Holgate, who impressed off the bench against United, is eagerly waiting in the wings.
1. Renewed confidence
While Everton didn’t take all three points against United, the last-minute Leighton Baines equaliser will feel more like a win. It should buoy the team, lift their overall confidence and send them into the Watford match with a new lease on life.
Next: Everton opposition scouting report: Watford
Koeman was happy with his team’s commitment in the draw with United. Though the result didn’t go their way, the Toffees finally put in a performance they can be proud of. They should use that performance as a launching pad for the rest of the campaign.