1. Richarlison shines through the middle again..
With three goals in his last four games since moving into that role as the central striker, there seems to be an overall maturation in Richarlison’s game. His map of activity demonstrates a change in intensity, as the 21 year-old is unrelenting in his pressing and is showing signs of improvement dropping deep, holding up play with his back to goal.
Against the centre-back pairing of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy (who both stand at 6’4), Richarlison boasted the agility and speed (particularly in that second goal) to combat the size advantage of his opposition. Smart.
2. Counter-attacking football- more of that please..
It was highlighted by commentary in the build-up to a Brighton corner that Everton are yet to score from a corner routine this season, while Brighton posed a measurable threat from such set plays.
Leave it to Gylfi Sigurdsson to pick up the ball on the edge of his box, drive forward, combine with Bernard, before sliding in Richarlison for the first goal of the game. A fantastic counter-attacking goal which exemplified Everton’s greatest strengths with Richarlison up top: the technical ability of Sigurdsson, close control of Bernard and the pace of Richarlison.
3. Captain Coleman silences critics..
A well angled shot from an Everton attack that looked to have burnt out sailed perfectly into the bottom left of the Gwladys Street net to put the home side 2-1 up.
None in the ground were as delighted as scorer Seamus Coleman, who reeled away cupping his ears in light of criticism of recent performances. This first goal since January 2017, which isn’t that long ago if you contextualise his injuries that kept him sidelined for a year.
As a considered “goal-scoring fullback”, hopefully his return to goalscoring form carries over into the important winter schedule.
4. Kurt Zouma and Micheal Keane boast confidence at the back..
Zouma completed 70 touches, winning two aerial duels and completed 2/2 tackles. Keane had 77 touches, won nine aerial duels and also completed two tackles. The pair look composed and established as a partnership now- which is great relief following the amount of goals that were shipped last season.
Playing their way out of trouble when needed and always looking for the right forward pass, it’s great to see an undisputed centre-back partnership that can be trusted.
Zouma completed 70 touches, winning two aerial duels and completed 2/2 tackles. Keane had 77 touches, won nine aerial duels and also completed two tackles. The pair look composed and established as a partnership now- which is great relief following the amount of goals that were shipped last season.
Playing their way out of trouble when needed and always looking for the right forward pass, it’s great to see an undisputed centre-back partnership that can be trusted.
5. Yerry Mina makes his debut in royal blue..
6’5, legs like lampposts in pink boots, it was great to see the Colombian World Cup star Yerry Mina get some minutes under his belt, as he took the place of Sigurdsson just to see out the game.
Mina will surely be in line for a start against Gor Mahia mid-week with Kurt Zouma ineligible against parent club Chelsea, who are up next in the Premier League for Marco Silva’s men.
Mina’s performance will certainly be one to watch at Stamford Bridge on the 11th November.
(@Max_Carlyle)
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