Everton prepare to take on West Ham this Sunday at London stadium. The Toffees will look to separate from the bottom of the league with what could be a huge win at the weekend.
Everton rewind
Everton were on the receiving end of a 2-0 loss at Anfield on the 21st. Dyche’s game plan and approach to the game were spot on and going as planned up until the 37th minute. Ashley Young, one of the Premier Leagues most experienced players would get sent off after accumulating two yellows cards in 37 minutes. Two rash and ill timed tackles would see Young leave the field putting the Toffees down to 10 men.
Michael Keane would be subbed on at half to tighten up the backline as Dyche hoped to earn a draw from the match, but it’s Keano. Everton looked defensively sound up until the 75th minute. Michael Keane would attempt to play goalkeeper right outside of the six yard box, an impressive save nonetheless. Keane would dangle his arm out to give the Reds a penalty, Salah would convert. Everton never looked threatening enough to get an equalizer and in attempting so, they allowed Salah to add a second goal in the 98th minute.
West Ham beat down by Villa
West Ham took a stroll into Villa park and walked out battered and beaten. Moyes and his squad never really quite got going. West Ham had spurts of dangerous moments but Villa kept stout in their shape and prevented West Ham from changing the game all that much. After going down 2-0, Bowen would pull a goal back (56′) but from that moment on Villa were in complete control, West Ham would not have an answer for them.
Everton Key player
Abdoulaye Doucouré – The heart and soul of Dyche’s Everton. He plays box to box and is one of the only players on the team that carries the ball forward and direct. He is not afraid to take on players, which is what we will need against West Ham. The key to beating West Ham, the “Villa” recipe from the weekend is to play fast and direct on the counter once West Ham has committed one too many forward.
“Moyses’ men generally line up in a classic 4-4-2 formation with a style of play which is extremely direct and physical. At a defensive level, the team organizes themselves in a folded position which means that they don’t lock themselves into their own half, instead waiting for their opponent to reach the halfway line. “
Klipdraw.com stated in their analysis of Moyses’ tactics with West Ham.
The opportunities will come, and defensively we will be fine against them, I don’t see West Ham being all that threatening after playing Midweek in the UEL. If we play with the same readiness and discipline that we showed against Liverpool and even the week prior against Bournemouth, we will earn all three points.
West Ham key player
James Ward-Prowse– With five goal contributions thus far this season in the EPL and three additional assists in the UEL, James Ward-Prowse IS West Ham. We all know how dangerous he is on the ball and especially on the dead ball. He has an xG of 1.6 goals per match.
I am worried about how well JWP can place a ball against us. Everton have many moments where their judgment fails them and JWP can and possibly will take advantage of those moments. We recently have been responsible for many fouls around the 18 yard box, we must NOT foul in dangerous areas this match, he is the best free kick taker in Premier League history but I’m sure we will give him plenty of opportunities to score from a set piece. JWP has an astounding 3.79 per 90 for shot creation… he will be a handful for us.
Final thoughts
I will be watching confidently on Sunday knowing that we have what it takes to earn all three points, and I’m confident we will. More confident knowing Ashley Young will NOT be on the pitch.
With West Ham having a match midweek, it will be interesting to see how they rotate their squad, if they do at all.
All signs point to us earning a result on the road and adding to the small lead we have over the relegation zone.
UTFT.
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