With the last international break over, Everton return to Premier League action and face a huge test of their metal as they play Manchester City on Sunday.
On paper this is a total mis-match and it seems very unlikely Everton will leave the Etihad with anything, especially if recent history is any guide.
The Toffees have a terrible recent record at the home of the league champions with the last visit to south Manchester for the final game of last season resulting in a 5-0 thrashing that basically summed up all the Blues’ failures in a single afternoon.
We’ve seen further examples of that this season. A combination of spineless defending, lack of energy and commitment to the cause and a sort of mental torpor that means once the side goes a goal or two behind, heads go down and the game is lost.
Obviously, if Everton play like they did just before the break against Watford or Wolves, then they will get hammered again by City.
But, there are examples of teams who have managed to find a way to defeat Pep Guardiola’s outstanding team.
Crystal Palace are the clearest one that are relevant for Everton. They have managed to beat City again this season and their 2-0 victory is an indication of how it can be done.
Palace were organised, strong and determined defensively working very hard and in particular their midfield was able to provide critical cover and support for that defence.
And, importantly when Palace had their chances they took them, scoring twice from three shots on target. This then is the template for beating City when you lack the sort of attacking resources of the best sides. That and riding your luck too, something let’s be honest Everton rarely get, is how you win there.
So, can this Toffees’ team take that approach and succeed on Sunday? You would have to say it’s pretty unlikely, but interestingly the final match before the break against Spurs showed that perhaps Everton can do what is needed by being strong and determined.
Unfortunately, Rafa Benitez has confirmed the team are still without the key players they have been missing for so long. The central spine of the side Yerry Mina, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are all unavailable but are ‘progressing well’ according to the Everton boss.
That means that he is likely to start with a similar team to the Spurs game. I hope he does and I think it’s crucial to do that with a 4-4-2/4-3-3 type of formation and make sure he has as much protection for his defence as he can and enough bodies in midfield. Tom Davies absence as the latest injury victim, makes this even more difficult.
Given the injuries though, it would only be the most optimistic Blues’ supporter who would have much hope of their team getting anything from the weekend’s game and I’m not one of those for sure. The Toffees have though counter-attacked very well and if they can get that right and take any chances they have, then maybe..?
City have had a few issues too and they have not looked quite as dominant as they did last term. However, their still a superb side and one thing they don’t do is concede many goals and they have been very solid at the back generally this campaign.
Perhaps against the odds and expectations Everton can surprise us and produce a decent effort and even come away with a point – is that too much to ask? Probably!