Everton: 3 takeaways from 1-2 win against Stoke City
We share our three takeaways from the 1-2 victory against Stoke at the Bet365 Stadium, which saw Everton reach 40 points in the league.
Cenk Tosun’s late goal against Stoke saw Everton record back to back wins for only the third time this season. More importantly, this victory lifted the Blues to forty points – the traditional yardstick for certain safety in the Premier League.
The game was not simple, but a red card to Stoke’s Charlie Adam, and the continued effective play of Tosun, made it relatively comfortable. The Blues are hitting some sort of form, albeit too late to have any real impact on their season.
All in all, it was an important victory for the Blues. Here are our three key takeaways from Everton’s away win.
Simple is best on the Everton wing
Manager Sam Allardyce started Yannick Bolasie and Theo Walcott for the second game in succession on Saturday.
Similar to Brighton, both played their part. Walcott assisted Tosun’s winning goal, whilst Bolasie played the vital cross for Everton’s opener.
Playing two up-and-down wingers is an incredibly unoriginal strategic ploy, but it has been a catalyst for Everton’s fine scoring form of late. On one hand, the Blues have Tosun in the middle, who is a legitimate aerial threat.
On the other, the return of Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines has added more firepower to each wing. Everton overloaded the Stoke fullbacks on Saturday, and dominated the flanks with devastating effect.
In the last two games, the Blues have played 56 crosses. Their season average per match is only 17 (source: Premier League). It may not be pretty, but the Blues must keep up this bombardment.
Tom Davies struggles as Sigurdsson understudy
Despite Wayne Rooney starting, Tom Davies found himself in the number ten position on Saturday. This was a small surprise, as Allardyce elected to bench seemingly more appropriate candidates such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Davy Klaassen.
Allarydce substituted Davies early in the second due to injury. However the young midfielder struggled before this. This passmap by 11tegen11 demonstrates Davies’ inability to knit play together effectively.
Despite a disappointing season overall, Davies has improved of late. However, he did not look convincing in a more advanced role. A simple position swap with Wayne Rooney would solve this issue for the Blues.
Set-piece defending is still an issue
Another game, another sloppy set piece goal. Much like Chris Wood’s winner for Burnley two weeks ago, the Toffees conceded from a finish inside their own six yard box.
This is despite a different defensive corps, and the absence of the underperforming Ashley Williams.
More from Prince Rupert's Tower
- Everton 0 Arsenal 1: Blues fall to third home defeat
- Further chaos in Everton takeover as other lenders not keen on 777 Partners
- Everton need repeat of Arsenal win to kick-start their season on Sunday
- More madness at Everton as Moshiri now agrees to sell club to 777 Partners
- Everton takeover talk cools after UK govt doubts and further questions
Frankly, I’m at a loss to analyse Everton’s set piece strategy. Whilst the Blues’ marking is clearly to the man, they seem to lose players all too easily.
To make matters worse, no one on the pitch seems certain as to who is responsible for each defensive lapse.
Moreover, Jordan Pickford’s decision-making is incredibly suspect. Pickford is an excellent stopper, but he seems to be frozen to his line worryingly often.
Having said that, his rare forays into the box are equally problematic, exemplified in his glaring mistake which allowed Virgil Van Dyk to score in the FA Cup.
Next: Everton snatch points in blizzard
It is likely that the Blues are not communicating properly. Before September, it will be key to build chemistry to help consolidate their defensive play.