Everton prepare to take on Chelsea this Monday at Stamford bridge. Can Everton find another 3 points? will the league deduct more points?
Everton vs. Burnley (April 6th)
With Everton searching for their first win of 2024, a wounded and battered Burnley were next in line for the Toffees. Burnley are almost surely going to be relegated this season but that did not change how they pushed during this match.
Burnley had 63% possession and would go on to complete just over double the amount of passes as Everton did (407 completed passes for Burnley). Burnley would not create anything of value with their possession as they would only place a single shot on target during the match.
As for Everton, they would create a few great chances but as with rest of the season, nothing would come of it. in the 45th minute, late in added time Dominic Calvert-Lewin pressed Muric, the Burnley keeper was so lackadaisical on the ball that it gave Dom time to close him down and disrupt a pass. That pass would deflect off of Dom’s foot and back into the empty goal behind Muric. The Toffees went into Half-time up 1-0.
Chelsea vs. Manchester United (April 4th)
Chelsea took on Manchester United in what could be the game of the season so far. A 4-3 final score that held everything a neutral could ask for!
Conor Gallagher opened the scoring early in the 4th minute with a great shot from the center of the 18. Chelsea would keep up the pressure throughout the match and finish with 28 total shots, 10 of which were on Target.
15 minutes later, Cole Palmer slotted home his first of two penalty kicks on the day to push Chelsea out to a 2-0 lead, a safe lead they would think. Garnacho and Fernandes would find two goals slightly before half time to bring the game level.
Garnacho was gifted the first goal due to a lazy pass across the back, a decent finish. Fernandes’ goal was a great goal! He drifted into space at the back post where Dalot sent in a top quality ball that found the head of Fernandes. Fernandes headed the ball across the face of goal, 2-2.
Man U would go on to score a third goal and take the lead via Garnacho, that’s three goals unanswered in the span of 25 minutes. Cole Palmer would add to the dramatics, late dramatics! Palmer would earn his hattrick late in the match where he scored a Penalty in the 90+10′ and score the winner in the 90+11′ through a harsh deflection off of Mctominay.
Everton Key player
Arnaut Danjuma earned some minutes in the tank this week with the U-21’s and should be able to play Monday. His return from injury could be huge for a stale Everton attack. Danjuma has one of the highest progressive carries stats on the team and also one of the highest progressive passes received stats.
Everton need someone to add that creativity the the attack, an attack that is crying out for some flair, swagger or spice. I know Danjuma rubs some fans the wrong way, but with only 595 minutes player he hasn’t given fans the right to write him off just yet.
I am not sure Dyche will play him until it’s too late in the game but I would love to see Danjuma play and get on the ball often vs. Chelsea.
Chelsea Key player
Cole Palmer would be an easy choice as he was my pick last time these two competed. This time around I am going with Conor Gallagher. He has been slightly overlooked due to Palmer’s incredible season.
Gallagher has scored three goals and assisted six times this season so far, he’s involved in the buildup and the end product quite often with Chelsea. Gallagher is very safe with the ball at his feet, his pass percentage being around 91% for completed passes, which comes out to 1289/1420 on the season.
Palmer also contributes defensively, adding 2.5 tackles per 90 and six ground duels won over the course of a match.
Final thoughts
I’d be very happy with a point on the road against this Chelsea side, but this Chelsea side is full of inconsistencies. Three points are not out of the question BUT we will have to score goals in a fashion that is convincing.
Monday’s lineup will hopefully include Danjuma, Onana and Gana in some capacity and maybe we won’t see Ashley Young feature tomorrow.
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