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Southampton v Everton: 5 Key Tactical Battles

By Rob Fisher

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Romain Perraud of Southampton in action with Andros Townsend and Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on August 14, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Romain Perraud of Southampton in action with Andros Townsend and Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park on August 14, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
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Everton (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) /

After a man of the match display against Leeds, Donny must continue his comeback

3. Van De Beek has to start after classy display

Donny Van De Beek produced one of the most classiest performances from central midfield in an Everton shirt possibly since Mikel Arteta against Fiorentina over a decade ago. He controlled the game against Leeds and produced a man of the match display.

For someone that had hardly started since moving to Manchester United a year and a half ago, you would have thought Van De Beek had come straight from his brilliant Ajax performances in the Champions League in 2018/19.

The Dutch international just looked so natural and at home in the midfield alongside Allan. His part in the first goal was sublime and what was particularly encouraging was his link up play with anyone in a blue shirt around him.

As Paddy Boyland put so eloquently in his Athletic UK piece below:

The key for Southampton tomorrow is to match up with the Saints hard working midfield, one to help stop them and probably the second is more important which is to keep the ball and get Everton moving forward through Gordon and Iwobi.

The word ‘pivot’ is the key one to describe how Van De Beek needs to play others into the game. Allan can do the more dirty work next to him and after last week’s display Evertonians will have more confidence in dominating possession and being on the front foot more than previous away games this season.

Certainly it will be a key battle between Van De Beek and Allan against Ward-Prowse and Romeu. Whoever wins this could well go on to win the game for their side.

It should mean that Dele Alli remains on the bench for now, but even Dele showed great promise last week when there was more room on the pitch later on.

With Doucoure about to rival him  a midfield spot as he regains fitness, players will have to fight to keep their place and that alone should be a massive motivation for Van De Beek after being on the bench at Manchester United for so long.