Everton returned from the international break with a 3-2 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Here are three things to take from the match.
1. Richarlison does make a difference!
It doesn’t make sense. It isn’t logical and in fact, scientists at the University of Liverpool believe they would win a Nobel Prize if they could determine why Richarlison makes such a big difference to Everton.
Since he joined the club, the Toffees have played eight games without the Brazilian international and have failed to win any of them.
The Brazilian Talisman made a difference within the first minute when Dominic Calvert-Lewin scrambled home his cross to put Everton up, 1-0
He was almost running wild during the first half and putting the Fulham defence under pressure. He had one penetrating run which put him through on goal and he got off a good shot. However, Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was equal to it with a cracking save. Richarlison also got on the end of a free-kick but didn’t have enough power to beat the Fulham goalkeeper.
Richarlison’s runs and movement made space for Lucas Digne who had two assists as he had space to swing the ball into Fulham’s box. In the three games he missed, the Toffees only scored twice. In his first match back, they scored 3.
He also tracked back well. He had a clearing header out of the Everton box and also tracked back to make a good tackle to regain possession for Ancelotti’s men inside their own half.
Carlo Ancelotti can’t explain it, science is searching for the reasons why, but Richarlison is integral to Everton winning matches.