Everton return to Premier League action when they take on West Ham United at Goodison Park on Saturday. The Blues extended their unbeaten run in the league after they played out a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday night.
Jack Harrison had given David Moyes’ side the lead, but Marshall Munetsi equalised five minutes before the break. In a tight game, Beto was guilty of missing a big chance to secure his side all three points in the second-half.
And with Saturday’s draw and this weekend’s game in mind, our Everton jury have returned to have their say on things going on at Goodison Park.
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Paul McParlan - Another point gained
Perhaps it was too much to expect after all. The hope was that the warm weather training sessions in Dubai would produce a revitalised team, brimming with confidence and energy.
There was perhaps a heightened expectation that, as a result, Everton would be ready to brush Wolverhampton Wanderers aside at Molineux. The reality is that given the limitations of an injury-ravaged, threadbare squad, simply being able to continue the unbeaten run would be an achievement, and so it transpired.
There is a world of difference between producing silky skills on the sand under the sun in the Middle East and having to battle against an opponent, desperate for points, in the cold, inhospitable climes of the Black Country on a dull, dark evening.
The game clearly was not a football classic, but from my perspective, it was a decent point on the road, with some positives for the manager. David Moyes had been right to say that Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom needed to step up and make a far bigger impact than they have so far this season. It seemed to work, with both being involved in Everton’s goal.
And about time, too! Neither player has exactly set the team alight with their displays, and with their loan spells coming to an end soon, they need to show that they are worth paying money for. Neither has really done so yet.
The new manager has demonstrated his willingness to change things with substitutions far more quickly than his predecessor. The introduction of new fan favourite Carlos Alcaraz for the hapless Abdoulaye Doucoure created opportunities for Everton to steal the game towards the end.
The Argentinian brings skill and pace to the attack, causing defenders all manner of problems. And he is arguably the most effective partner for Beto, who appeared to still be playing in his Dubai flip-flops at times.
The lack of striking options on the bench continues to be a concern. Wolves were able to bring on potential goal scorers in Pablo Sarabia and Hwang Hee-chan, whereas Everton had no other forward with first-team experience available. Is there any chance that either Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Armando Broja could be ready to return anytime soon?
Given the lack of depth in the squad, the Moyesiah deserves massive credit for this eight-match unbeaten run, given that he is still missing his two most creative players and potential goal scorers in Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye, as well as the industry of Orel Mangala in midfield.
Next up at Goodison Park are West Ham United, and the Everton boss will be determined to prove a point against his erstwhile employers. It is a game that Toffees will fancy their chances of winning and moving up the table.
Heading into the international break unbeaten in nine games will set us up nicely for our next away game. Just remind me, who is that against?
James Kellett - Negative reactions are baffling
Following the rather dull 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, it has now been eight games since Everton lost their last league match. After the result, I saw quite a few negative reactions to the game, which is quite baffling considering the immense U-turn David Moyes has orchestrated.
It is fair to say the performance was underwhelming; there is no harm in pointing that out, but for people to be so disappointed by going eight games unbeaten, that is confusing.
Going back to January, the game against Wolves was set to be a huge relegation six-pointer in which many of us would have bitten our hands off for a point in. A point is what we got, yet some feel annoyed following the draw on Saturday night.
There are positives that some feel disappointed with a draw, but this was another point gained on the bottom three, and each point gained just takes the sting out of the season bit by bit.
April is going to be one of Everton’s toughest months of the season, and the last thing we need is negativity, particularly in Goodison’s final months.
