The 10 men of Everton picked up their third away win of the season as Richarlison’s third minute goal was enough for the visitors to ensure all three points at the John Smith Stadium.
Marco Silva believes his players had an “obligation” to return to winning ways- and they certainly started well against Huddersfield, the Premier League’s bottom side under the new management of Jan Siewert following David Wagner’s recent departure.
Tom Davies was one of five changes made from Everton’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Millwall, which implies the transfer of Idrissa Gueye is imminent, but Davies put in a positive display on his return to the starting line-up and played a huge part in the games only goal. A phase of pay initiated from a Seamus Coleman throw-in down the right, Cenk Tosun dragged two defenders out of position to allow Bernard to pick out Tom Davies who was not picked up between the defensive lines of Huddersfield. The 20 year-old cut the ball back for Richarlison, who converted at the second time of asking.
The home side responded to going a goal down by increasing their level of effort and physicality- which you would expect upon a managerial debut. Everton coped with this well, in particular Tosun, who found himself involved in a large percentage Everton’s forward play whilst battling with defenders of bigger stature.
The second half will be one Everton; Lucas Digne in particular, will want to forget. Coming on 55 minutes in for the seemingly injured Leighton Baines, the otherwise dependable Frenchman took one fo the team pulling down Adama Diakhaby who would have been clean through on goal. Aaron Mooy forced a fantastic save out of Jordan Pickford from the consequential free-kick, one of many from the England number one who was called into action more than he would’ve liked, with just nine men in front of him.
Now momentarily up to eighth in the Premier League table. Everton will poised with a huge challenge in the left-back position. With Digne suspended for games against Wolves, Manchester City and Watford- on top of Baines being injured Everton’s squad depth (or lack of as Gueye looks to be off) will be tested.
STATS
Possession: 57%-43%
Shots: 8-9
Shots on target: 2-5
Corners: 3-4
@Max_Carlyle
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