Unspectacular Everton? It turns out that Everton can be pretty spectacular after all.
A historic away win at Manchester United's Old Trafford, followed by a road victory at nemesis Bournemouth, makes for an interesting life in the Everton world.
Trading out an excellent Fulham win in exchange for a Newcastle debacle, it all seems to shake out well for the club. Not quite perfect, the home losses against lower-ranked teams with obnoxious performances are weekend-ruining. Midweek Tuesday wins are away-day glorious.
Roll in a Notts Forest demolition of ‘Demolition Dyche,’ and we’re laughing, ‘Europe-bound. ’ Maybe only just ‘relegation-relieved’. I’m undecided as to which, yet.
Balancing well in the division has Everton fairly placed. Close enough to the top to dream. Close enough to the bottom to worry. Top mid-table today. Bottom mid-table tomorrow. It’s about where we belong.
With recent threadbare squad selections highlighting summer transfer window nonsense, Everton have battled well. The summer money spent on future potential and ‘project-players’ rather than immediate needs was illuminated in recent games. Players sulking off injured, others suspended for internal fighting, and yet more out for yellow card accumulation.
Added to the known absences for in-season international representation, the player count was predictably under. Most of the last season's squad was released or returned, and yet nowhere near enough was brought in as a replacement. We started skinny, and now it’s bulimic.
The situation is not helped when self-imposed abstinence prevents the selection of the potential that was brought in. Adam Aznou and Tyler Dibling can hardly regard themselves as Everton players. The mistreatment of Carlos Alcaraz is baffling. Surely, we could use some of these guys.
With limited numbers and almost no alternates, the team selections have been obvious. No choices leaning towards just one lone solution. No option, no decision.
Despite the small match-day squads, the quality is known to be competitive. The swing comes at 60 minutes when better prepared clubs can churn the bench and bring in refreshments. Maybe not better, but certainly fresher. Can Everton race to a big enough lead before the fatigue balance tilts?
Versus Bournemouth, the little bit of luck to get a deflected late goal, 78 minutes, was enough. Versus Forest, the game played out dramatically differently.
Everton’s performance was equally as stoic, limiting both Bournemouth and Forest to almost nothing offensively. Very impressive. But this time, Everton were able to add the attacking dominance and collect goals as well. Notts Forest were satisfyingly beaten.
Leading from the kickoff helps with confidence. But methodically demoralizing the opponent with outstanding football was a signature of the most complete performance of the Everton season.
Competent in defense. Well-balanced in the midfield. Potent in attack. Great out of possession and good in possession. Defined by a much-appreciated relentless work rate. Very well done. Getting a Thierno Barry goal was an excellent garnish on a brilliant Everton display and an applauded home win to break a recent trend of new stadium defeats and emptying terraces. Not today.
The January transfer window opens up the opportunity to address some of the summer failings. Reinforcements are required, and they will dictate the second half of the season. Push for greater glory or settle for mid-table mediocrity? Everton have a pendulum moment.
All eyes will be on the Everton transfer committee.