Everton need another away day performance to kick start recovery

After defeat to Manchester United last weekend Everton really need another three points at Nottingham Forest this afternoon.

Last Sunday at Goodison the Blues fell flat on their faces against United, despite the huge energy generated by supporters who had so strongly protested the points deduction imposed on the club two weeks ago.

Now Everton need a return to the winning ways they have established on the road this season following victory at Brentford, Aston Villa, West Ham and Crystal Palace.

Although it's not crisis time yet, I feel Sean Dyche's men have to find a way to get three points today to regain some of the momentum that had been gathered before the Premier League commission's intervention so disgracefully undermined it.

Against United the Toffees were undercooked and once more the early season demons, which had condemed them to so many costly defeats, returned with chances created but no goals scored.

Those early losses to Fulham, Wolves and Luton Town now appear even more damaging then they did at the time.

While Dyche was talking about xg and the number of chances being created etc being good and positive signs (which they are to some extent) the reality is that points are ultimately all that matters.

So this afternoon Everton have to try and return to winning ways and being away from the caludron of Goodison might actually help the players do that.

Perhaps the intensity of the atmosphere at the Grand Old Lady last Sunday was a little bit overwhelming and could have actually been a problem rather than a help.

In addition of course, Dyche's team set-up and tactics are more effective on their travels than they are at home.

The manager has a few injury doubts including particularly worryingly, Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The striker went off againt United with a tight calf muscle and Dyche has been keeping an eye on him over the last week.

Fingers crossed he is ok and there is no recurrance of his past problems which have been so damaging to the Blues in recent seasons.

If he doesn't make it this afternoon then the lone centre-forward will presumably be Beto, although he has been dealing with a minor injury himself. The other inury issue is Amadou Onana who once again is unlikely to feature later today.

Everton need a repeat of those away-day efforts that brought what at the time seemed such precious points that have now be chalked off.