Ideal Opposition
Prior to Everton’s comprehensive thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening, I’d anticipated that the team could enjoy success if they were able to freshen up what had become stale, predictable dead-ball routines. After all, the visitors entered the contest holding the unwanted record of conceding the most goals in the division to set-pieces: nine, not including penalties, of which they’d given up five — another league-leading statistic.
The Blues scored 40 league goals last season and 19 had come from set-pieces — equalling what they managed from open play. However, the team has experienced diminishing returns so far this term, from what become their primary attacking outlet since Sean Dyche was installed as manager, with a middling four goals from their opening 13 matches. Opposition teams had adjusted to the previously-successful tactic of firing an inswinging high ball towards James Tarkowski at the far post.
Enter Wolves. It was understood beforehand that the visitors had struggled to defend set-piece situations effectively this term. Last season, they’d allowed just ten (ranking joint-sixth in the division), but that was before they opted to sell the towering Max Kilman, who’d won 70.5% of his aerial challenges, to West Ham United in the summer. The loss of Colombian international centre half Yerson Mosquera, who ranks in the top 95th percentile of defenders for wining aerial duels over the past year, to an ACL injury in September, has further hurt the West Midlanders.
The hosts did nothing different on Wednesday; it’s just that this particular opposition team were completely unable to deal with any deal ball routine; whether this be setting up a wall correctly, competing aerially, blocking off Everton players, or in the weakness of goalkeeper José Sá in commanding his area. In all aspects, Wolves were frighteningly inept, to the extent that I’ve reversed my pre-game estimation that they were too good a side to go down — unless they are able to correct this glaring vulnerability. The hosts did look like scoring on every occasion they lined up a corner or free kick, the visitors were that bad.
Everton FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers FC - Premier League The Blues looked like scoring from every set-piece as Wolves crumbled
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
The Same Old Problems Remain
A 4-0 win will understandably send spirits soaring, but as it’s unwise to catastrophize setbacks, equally it would be mistake to read too much into a solitary big win; in particular one obtained in such a manner as this. Everton were aggressive and played with a high tempo for much of the game, but they have in many outings this season — including the opening half hour at Old Trafford, just a few days earlier. The Toffees bludgeoned Wolves with set-piece deliveries and could have ran up a cricket score, so organizationally abject were the visitors.
However, the same old problems - which have dogged this team for the entirely of Dyche’s tenure in the dugout - remain. The Blues can get after teams, forcing turnovers and on occasion even string together some reasonably effective attacks, either working off knockdowns from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, or via direct play along the ground, but it’s the next step which so often eludes. Again, they failed to convert good opportunities and promising positions into goals. Almost like clockwork, the home side would gain possession in an advantageous area and the next pass, or the one after would be misplaced, or intercepted.
Poor decision-making in the final third is endemic throughout the squad and, as I’ve indicated before, this must be due to the tactics and quality of the attacking coaching at the club, rather than being a deficit in every player who dons the Royal Blue shirt, which is statistically improbable. This deficiency was highlighted by several blown attempts at hitting the target by Jack Harrison late on, following the impactful introduction of fellow substitute Armando Broja. This profligacy, in addition to the team’s struggles to create good open play scoring chances will continue to hurt the team going forward.
Despite a two-goal lead, Everton’s open play xG (Expected Goals) statistic was only 0.36 at the interval — almost entirely a result of Calvert-Lewin’s effort in the 20th minute. In the second period, the Blues mustered 0.46 xG; 0.39 of which comprised Harrison’s trio of woeful shots in the last six minutes of the match. Wolves looked shaky defensively in regular play, but the hosts were once again unable to take any real advantage. Dyche will need to find some way to improve the team’s attacking from general play, because unfortunately Everton don’t get to play the West Midlanders every week.
Everton FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers FC - Premier League Mangala blasts home from the edge of the box following another effective Everton set-piece delivery
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
The hosts did look uncertain and were opened up defensively on several occasions in the first half, for which they weren’t punished — mostly due to Wolves being wasteful. They’ll need to be a lot more steady tomorrow, as a free-scoring Liverpool outfit will not be so charitable and will surely put the team under considerably more pressure than Wednesday’s visitors managed.
Player Observations
I’d stated that three players should be to dropped following the fiasco at Old Trafford at the weekend. How did they get on?
James Tarkowski was dangerous on offensive set-pieces, but Wolves striker Jørgen Strand Larsen beat him several times, only to misfire in front of goal. The 32-year-old defender was leaden-footed, moving like he was wearing weighted diving boots. He improved after the break, but is operating far below last season’s standard. Fellow defender Vitalii Mykolenko performed acceptably, but wasn’t really challenged by hapless Wolves right winger Gonzalo Guedes, who was dreadful. He’ll need to be at the top of his game on Saturday, when he’ll be faced by the red-hot Mo Salah.
Many thought Abdoulaye Doucouré provided what Dyche’s system required on Wednesday, but what he offers either in midfield, or in an more advanced role escapes me. Long gone are the days when he provided a legitimate goalscoring threat playing behind the striker: he’s now scored just once in his last 19 outings in the position — across almost a full year. The Malian works hard out of possession, but that seems to be the manager’s primary requirement for what is allegedly an attacking role. Defensively, he was dribbled past on both occasions, added just one tackle and won only three of nine ground duels.
Iliman Ndiaye, ostensibly signed to play in a central area, continues to be used out wide — this time the right flank. The summer addition, one of the few players to actually excite fans early in the campaign, endured a dismal night and continues to decline in effectiveness. He produced a couple of bright moments when moved left late on, but I fear Dyche will retain him on the right now, with Dwight McNeil ensconced on the left wing and Doucouré central. I feel Ndiaye is being sacrificed to meet what the manager feels is his best shape and that is a genuine pity.
Everton FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers FC - Premier League Broja was exciting when he came on
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Calvert-Lewin enjoyed a strong night, in which he tormented a ramshackle Wolves defence, being unlucky not to score. He has the ability to seriously trouble Liverpool at the weekend. In a ten-minute cameo, Broja showed glimpses of what he can offer this team, the on-loan Chelsea man demonstrating speed, strength, technical quality and playing with his head up. If Harrison had managed even a slight degree of composure, the forward would have helped to add to Everton’s commanding lead. Hopefully he’s fully recovered from his injury setbacks and can really contribute for the rest of the campaign.
Jarrad Branthwaite continues to look well off the level he attained last term, following a lengthy injury absence, but needs minutes under his belt.
Orel Mangala showed why he should be starting games regularly, with a composed, assured performance — making his recent omission in favour of Doucouré genuinely puzzling.
Ashley Young, who opened the scoring with a clever free kick, continues to prove his worth. The veteran won eight of 13 ground duels, led the team both in touches (72) and in making a combined eleven tackles and interceptions. At 39, his professionalism is unquestionable and he shows the character of one who’s played at a high level.
Statistics provided courtesy offbref.com,fotmob.com andtransfermarkt.com