Everton FC correspondent Joe Thomas takes a look at some of the good signs on the pitch for the Blues so far
Ainsley Maitland-Niles celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Harrison Armstrong during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Ainsley Maitland-Niles celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Harrison Armstrong during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
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Everton’s late, late show on Sunday kept the momentum going for a good start to the season - on the pitch, at least.
The Blues are unbeaten after three Premier League games and, while they have required two-stoppage time rescue acts, their wider performances in both of those matches meant a draw was deserved.
The form has been particularly positive given recent games have taken place against a backdrop of frustration and uncertainty off the pitch after the poor end to the transfer window and the uncertainty over the plans of owners the Friedkin Group, who now appear to be seeking outside investment.
While there are plenty of causes for concern, there are positives, too. Here are some of them....
Maitland-Niles screamer keeps the home run going
Everton have been poor at home for some time. As hard as the transition to Hill Dickinson Stadium was, the club had not managed to make Goodison Park a fortress in her final years. Yes, the ground was a decisive factor in big moments - Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, the last two Merseyside derbies. But too many journeys home were made in disappointment.
By the end of last season it felt the Blues were starting to make headway on making their new stadium feel like home. The atmosphere for Liverpool and Chelsea was exceptional and had an impact at the start of both games and while Sunderland turned into a nightmare, that afternoon had started well.
David Moyes has spoken of the need to improve at home if Everton are to progress and a valuable win over Palace on the opening day has now been followed by an act of sheer defiance and resilience against Manchester United. It is early days but it is so important the Blues can keep the positivity going at home.
Moyes believes this, too. He said: “In some ways I am disappointed we didn't win the game. I was setting out to win, setting out to get three points. But Man United also were. To get back in the game - when we were 2-1 down with less than a minute to go, you're probably not expecting anything - but thankfully we got the goal which has kept that little bit of momentum we have got going.”
Courage to be resilient, whatever it takes
The late goals from Tyrique George and Ainsley Maitland-Niles followed James Tarkowski’s stoppage time leveller at Bournemouth the week before to create the impression Moyes has a team that does not know when it has been beaten.
Against Man Utd and the Cherries, Everton found themselves behind and under pressure and yet they did not cave. At the Vitality Stadium, Vitalii Mykolenko and Hayden Hackney threw their bodies in the way of efforts to keep Everton in the game as Bournemouth pushed for a second.
Against Man Utd, Tarkowski made a crucial challenge to prevent Matheus Cunha from doubling the visitors’ lead on the hour mark.
Without that courage, neither game would have remained in the balance when the Blues found their late goals and that spirit will be essential if a small squad is to remain competitive.
Thierno Barry is getting chances
Thierno Barry’s season has already been a rollercoaster. After four goals in the opening two games, including the hat-trick in the Carabao Cup at Preston, Barry has missed four good chances across the last two matches.
It would be easy to lose faith given his rawness, but Everton must persevere with the only specialist striker left at the club. And it is still possible to take positives from the past two matches.
Barry’s work-rate has remained good and his link-up play continues to improve. His reading of the game is also getting better - the Barry of last season perhaps does not get to the cross from Merlin Rohl that he powered over the bar on Sunday.
He is also showing more composure when chances come his way, cutting inside a defender to create his one on one at Bournemouth. He needs to become more ruthless but there are signs of improvement - enough to warrant giving him some patience.
Harrison Armstrong is ready for the Premier League
The talent of the teenager was not in question but it was unclear how many opportunities he would get under Moyes this season. With James Garner and Hackney having had their minutes managed, Tim Iroegbunam departing for Hull City and Christian Norgaard not yet returning to fitness, Moyes has ended up leaning heavily on him.
Armstrong has repaid that faith. If the maturity to deliver his steady performance at Bournemouth as the away end protested his proposed sale was not enough, the way he maintained his composure to play the full 90 on Sunday despite picking up an early booking was extraordinary.
He is turning into a big player, something the supporters knew all too well as news he could be sold to Nottingham Forest sparked them into revolt.
Jarrad Branthwaite is growing in strength
The sight of Jarrad Branthwaite having to gather himself causes panic whenever it happens, and it has happened in every league game so far. But he has come through all three and is growing in strength as he finds his feet after last season was decimated by injury.
Everton are a different team with Branthwaite in the side and what is possible this season is dependent on him being consistently available.
His celebrations at the end of the first half of Sunday, when a perfectly-timed challenge thwarted Marcus Rashford and he then blocked Cunha’s effort from the loose ball, carried the supporters with him. He is a colossus - and has only been denied success at the other end by good saves in each of the last two games.