Home News Everton concede late winner in Merseyside Derby

Everton concede late winner in Merseyside Derby

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In what was a fairly uninspiring Merseyside Derby Everton conceded a late winner which in all honesty should have been prevented. Both sides will be feeling that they could have played better following a match which will not go down in the history of memorable Derby matches. Everton went into the match with Phil Jagielka being unavailable through suspension, and with Ramiro Funes Mori replacing him. Liverpool went into the match without Joel Matip, who has been the mainstay of their defence so far this season.

Everton would have been looking to build upon their recent victory against Arsenal, and also hoping to bring an end to a disappointing run against Liverpool. However apart from a period in the first half in which they were in the ascendency, Everton never really put Liverpool under any serious threat. It is a recurring theme over recent times for Everton that they seem to regularly fail to capitalise upon their periods of dominance in games, and this was again evident here. During their period of dominance in the first half, Everton played quite well in getting the ball forward but it was then undone in the final third of the pitch when the final ball was lacking. A failing to capitalise in games when in charge is only going to allow opponents back into matches, and this will over the course of the season be the difference between a success and failure.

It was not total doom and gloom though for Everton, defensively they were looking more resilient against Liverpool than they have done in recent matches. Players were closing opponents down a little better and were putting in blocks to prevent any shots on goal. However the lack of success in the attacking areas is only serving to place added pressure on the defensive sides of the team so as not to concede any goals. While the defensive side is slowly improving, it is still evident that changes do need to be made and with the transfer window soon to open the time is coming soon!

Liverpool never really threatened the Everton goal with any seriousness; however they did have a sense of potential threat about them when going forward. This potential threat was dealt with in the main by Everton, however it is a potential threat attacking-wise that Liverpool possess which is not yet there for Everton. The game was decided late on as a result of this potential attacking threat from Liverpool, when Sturridge had the ball on the edge of the Everton area and fired in a shot that came back off the post. The rebound was pounced upon by Sadio Mane who was the quickest to react and knock home the ball to score the winner.  While Liverpool took their chance, it was one that in all honesty would have been dealt with by a better goalkeeper. The initial shot was not one that would have really troubled a quality goalkeeper, and also the reactions from Joel in attempting to respond to the rebound were rather sluggish and allowed mane to get to the rebound first. It may sound a little harsh on a goalkeeper who has not played much this season, and was only on due to injury to the first choice keeper, but it is starting to become more evident that both Joel and Stekelenburg are not at the required level that Everton need if they are to meet their expectations.

This was not a Derby match in which players could afford to get through by just running around a showing some effort, if players had shown some quality on the ball then either side could have won the game quite comfortably. The worrying thing for Everton was that they never had any real quality on the ball during the match, this can be worked upon in training but will take time, and conversely it can be sorted out quicker by signing new and better players in the transfer windows!

Summing up the match as a whole, it was one that was fairly uninspiring and one that either side would have been unhappy at losing as no side really did anything to say that they deserved the victory. The difference came as a result of Liverpool reacting to the ball and taking their chance when it came along, whereas Everton never created any significant chances and this was not for the first time this season.

Have Everton become too reliant on Lukaku for their goals and if teams stop him then Everton find it difficult to score? Do Everton need to revamp their defence, as to be honest their goalkeepers are prone to worrying moments in matches and what was once their most reliable side of the team is now starting to creak and create pressure on the side? Although we are now in the season of goodwill to all, if Everton are to turn this season into a successful one Ronald Koeman will have to start making some tough decisions in regards to players who are not performing to the required standards and bring in those that can.

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