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Everton v Man United: Toffees take on another top six side

By Matt Townsend

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Paul Pogba of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on January 1, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Paul Pogba of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on January 1, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /
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After that run of fine wins against Chelsea, West Ham and Arsenal, Everton produced their now familiar slip up away to a lower league team in losing at Fulham last Saturday.

So will the real Everton please stand up! This season has been an immensely frustrating one for Toffees supporters. I’ve said several times before that it’s been a case of two steps forward one step back or even two steps back.

The level of inconsistency displayed by the Blues has been a cause of constant concern all season long.

And Everton’s next game is tomorrow as the Toffees take on Manchester United at Goodison Park.

United have just gone out of the Champions League as Barcelona defeated them at the Camp Nou on Tuesday. So they might be smarting at that rather chastening loss.

As so often does seem to happen when a club takes on a temporary coach who improves results and then gets it full-time, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s tenure has taken a bit of hit since he got the job.

After a great start to his time at Old Trafford, results have tailed off. United have lost five of their last seven matches including two defeats to Wolves and Barcelona.

So they are not in great form going into Sunday’s game. Manchester United’s form improved considerably after the Norwegian took over in December.

Initially his succession to Jose Mourinho seemed to inspire United’s players and their game was lifted as the team played with freedom, something that had been noticeable absent under Mourinho.  Now almost inevitably that early run of results has begun to stutter.

As for Everton it’s difficult to say with any confidence how the Blues will perform tomorrow. I very much hope that as with recent matches against other top sides like Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, the Toffees will find their best form.

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Everton will be without Andre Gomes who is beginning his three-match ban for his tackle at Fulham. This would be a blow although he was woeful at Fulham (as indeed though were most Blues players).

Assuming Marco Silva sticks with much the same side he has played recently, I would think Tom Davies would be the obvious choice to replace him.

I also presume that if he is fit again Michael Keane will come back into the team in place of Phil Jagielka. So we can only hope that the Blues can indeed re-discover that excellent form seen just a few weeks ago.