The 3-0 loss to Manchester City was Everton’s fourth loss in last five games. Everton looked a soulless side that lacked energy and desire. Losing to Manchester City is acceptable, they are the best side in the Premier League but the way that Everton lost to City was unacceptable. This has left the Toffees picking up just two points out of a possible 18 in the last six Top Flight fixtures.
The miserable run of results needs to be put to an end. The team needs to regroup and work out ways on how they can overturn these adversities. Everton next face Brentford on Sunday at the Brentford Community stadium. Manager Rafa Benitez will be hoping that his side can turn the tide and secure a positive result against the Bees who sit 14th in the Premier League table.
If stopping the recent slump wasn’t a difficult job in itself, there are more added complexities which has left Rafa Benitez scratching his head. The Royal Blues will be without key players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure as the duo continue to recover from their respective injuries.
Demarai Gray looks set to miss the game with injury and Richarlison has been suspended for the game after accumulating five yellow cards, leaving the Toffees with bare minimum options in attack.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford reflects on Manchester City loss
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who conceded three goals against City but pulled off some brilliant one-on-one saves spoke to the club’s official website and reflected on the City defeat. The England No.1 made four saves including a spectacular stop in a one-on-one situation against Raheem Sterling.
"You know you are up against it at City, they are a top side and won the title and reached the Champions League final last season. We conceded three, which we were not happy about, and didn’t convert our counter-attacking opportunities, or get a shot on target to hurt [City goalkeeper] Ederson.Manchester City are such a good team, we tried to make it hard for them to get through us but sometimes they will get through and that is when I am going to be called on and need to be in the moment.They scored just before half-time, which hurt us a bit. We reset as a team [during half-time], we are mentally tough, but they were the better side and we have to give them credit, the football they play is incredible. (via club’s official website)"
The 27 year old also hit an individual milestone in the game against City. Pickford made his 300th senior appearance out of which 173 have come for Everton and the rest for Sunderland where he previously plied his trade.
Pickford insisted that the team needs to remain calm and pick themselves up after the defeat. With Brentford game coming next Sunday, Pickford stressed upon training hard on the pitch and getting a result next weekend. The English keeper will also be looking to improve his clean sheet record as he has just three clean sheets in 11 Premier League games.
"We have to move forward, let the dust settle and work hard all week. We need to be calm and refresh for Brentford on Sunday. Some games don’t go your way and you have to focus on the next one.We are all human [so feel down after losing] but it is about working hard every day and giving 100 percent on the training pitch, which we do. It is about Brentford now. Every game in the Premier League is tough but we need to get a result next weekend."
Rafa Benitez will be hoping to deliver better results and craft a team for Sunday that is capable of playing in the desired fashion. With a very poor recent record, pressure may start mounting on the Spaniard as well even though it hasn’t been his fault.
Will Everton bounce back against the Bees?