Everton look to get back on track this weekend against Nottingham Forest. The boys travel to The City Ground in hopes of climbing out of the relegation zone for the first time since their point deduction.
Everton Rewind
Everton hosted Manchester United last weekend and it did not go as planned. The atmosphere was absolutely amazing but would not last long. Alejandro Garnacho would score in the 3rd minute, possibly the best overhead goal we’ve seen in premier league history.
Everton would play very well for the rest of the first half, ending with more chances and a greater xG than Man U. Once again, Everton would not capitalize on their chances and the first half would end 1-0 to Man U. The second half did not go any better, Ashley Young would give away a very sloppy penalty in the 56′ after fouling Martial, Rashford converted from the spot. Down 2-0, Everton looked to be mentally checked out but did not entirely give up.
Martial would end up getting his goal because he had to to continue his streak against us. We would try to pull one back but the ball would never fall into the net, just was not our day. Also, Onana played a perfect game against us… just out of luck.
Forest fall to Brighton
Forest started the game off quick and clinical with an Elanga goal coming early in the 3rd minute. Elanga was left open at the back post where he precisely placed a header just out of reach of Verbruggen. Forest would stay competitive for most of the match but be undone by a well taken shot by Ferguson and the heroics of Joao Pedro. Pedro would score a brace following Ferguson’s goal and the match would end 3-2 to Brighton.
Forest were ousted by Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen, Verbruggen had a fantastic game in goal. Verbruggen made three key saves and an impressive 13 recoveries. Forest were a tad unlucky not to earn a draw but regardless of the result Steve Cooper is now on the hot seat and the Everton match could be a make or break it match for Cooper.
Everton’s key player
Mykolenko…my guy, I am very high on Mykolenko this season. He has scored two goals this season thus far. Mykolenko has been playing with confidence and swagger, one of the most in form players on the team. Nottingham struggled against Lamptey while he was on the pitch, Myko and Lamptey are much different players but they do have one trait in common… a defender that plays wide and ultimately wants to send a ball into a danger zone.
Mykolenko offers an average of two crosses into the 18 per 90 and a dribble success rate of 76%, with Nottingham’s weak left side, I highly expect that number to double. Myko is sound as a defender but in this match I fully expect his offensive abilities to be the difference.
Nottingham key player
Morgan Gibbs-White– is the easy choice and a safe choice. His stats are not ones to scoff at, he may only have three goal involvements this season in his 1109 minutes but his creation stats are what stand out. His per 90 stats are as follows; 7 crosses per 90, 2 key passes and 4 successful dribbles. He creates from abundance, Forest funnels their attack through the midfield and ultimately via Gibbs-White.
Gibbs-White plays box to box and offers quite a bit defensively, he wins on average 13 ground duels per match. He may make it difficult to play through the middle but it all depends who we have playing in central midfield.
Final thoughts!
It is a must that we grind out a result this weekend. Everton have appealed their 10 point deduction but we cannot rely on the Premier League to correct their mistake. Three points would do wonders for the stress levels at Everton and people around Everton, There is a lot of belief that we will be safe at the end of the season but I’d prefer to climb out of the relegation zone earlier rather than later. UTFT
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