- L
- /
- L
- /
- L
- /
- W
- /
- W
- /
- Position
- 8th
- Played
- 38
- Points
- 49
- L
- /
- L
- /
- W
- /
- W
- /
- L
- /
- Position
- 12th
- Played
- 38
- Points
- 44
Media View: What can we expect from Everton?
This weekend sees AFC Bournemouth travel to Goodison Park to take on Ronald Koeman’s Everton side.
But what can we expect from the Toffees after a mixed start to their season?
We caught up with the Liverpool Echo’s Phil Kirkbride to get the lowdown on Everton and see how they head into Saturday’s game.
You can follow Phil on twitter at @philkecho.
afcb.co.uk: Everton haven’t had the start to the season that they would have wanted, what do you think that’s been down to?
PK: I think there’s a number of factors, with the main one being that they haven’t performed to anywhere near the basic standards in a couple of those matches, particularly Chelsea and Spurs. Obviously last week in Europe it was also disappointing against Atalanta.
It’s a new team as well and there’s been a lot of changes so that’s perhaps a reason too. Ronald Koeman isn’t shying away from the fact that some performances haven’t been up to scratch and he’s reinforcing that there are a number of players that understandably need time.
afcb.co.uk: Do you think that Everton’s confidence has been affected following their tough start to the season?
PK: Koeman did say, particularly in the last couple of weeks, that the confidence from the players hasn’t been there and that they’ve actually been playing a bit afraid which is quite startling really, for him to come out and say that about a team that finished seventh last season.
But, obviously, you can’t escape the fact that it’s been a particularly difficult start – they’ve played Chelsea, Spurs, Manchester United and Manchester City. That’s probably as tough as anyone has had it this season.
afcb.co.uk: They got the win against Sunderland on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup, how much of a boost is that for the Toffees?
PK: Yeah, on Wednesday night they got the win and the clean sheet which was absolutely essential! The manager made changes so he gave a number of key players a much needed rest, but the win was all that mattered.
They’ll be back at Goodison on Saturday and their home form was really the bedrock last season in that rise up to seventh and their route back to Europe.
I think they’ll still be some degree of scepticism going into the weekend, but also a little bit of relief and the hope that a good performance can see the start of better things to come.
afcb.co.uk: Finally, who is the one to watch on Saturday and who’s stood out for you so far this season?
PK: I think Wayne Rooney is always the one to watch. He’s been a huge influence since his return and any doubts that fans had have been won over because he’s scored goals and generally been very good.
Up the other end of the pitch, Jordan Pickford has been excellent. There was a lot of money spent on him and, being a young player, I think Evertonians were a bit sceptical paying so much for a goalkeeper that had been in a struggling team.
But, he’s made some top class saves and been great, particularly since the goalkeeper position has been a bit of a problem for Everton in the past five or six seasons.
Phil writes for the Liverpool Echo and you can visit their sports page here.
The players warm up.
Asmir Begovic in training.
Charlie Daniels enjoying training.
A focused Joshua King.
Ryan Fraser in action.
Callum Wilson cracks a smile.
A group of players during training.
Nathan Ake working hard.
Benik Afobe and Jermain Defoe share a hug!
Eddie Howe instructs his players.
Jermain Defoe tries an overhead kick.
Andrew Surman enjoys a joke.
Callum Wilson and Emerson Hyndman compete for the ball.
Jordon Ibe cracks a smile.
Five Point Preview: Everton
AFC Bournemouth take on Everton on Saturday, looking to earn a first Premier League win at Goodison Park.
But what do we know about the opposition?
afcb.co.uk have been looking into the Toffees, and here are five key things we’ve found ahead of the Premier League clash.
It's been a tough start...
Everton are sitting in 18th place in the table, one point better off than us.
They’ve lost their last three league games on the spin, but their first five league outings have been one of the toughest openings to a season in recent memory.
They’ve faced Stoke at home, Man City away, Chelsea away, Spurs at home and Man United away.
That’s some opening to a season!
But they do love a home game!
Last season, the Toffees only lost twice at home in the league - that’s some going.
They did have a scare however when we last went there. Having raced into a three-goal lead, a Joshua King brace managed to peg it back to 3-2, with Marc Pugh missing a golden chance to equalise and stun an already rattled Goodison Park.
But they’re known for their home form, this season they’ve lost one of their two home fixtures, but that was to an in-form Spurs side.
Golden boy...
The headline names for the European Golden Boy include the likes of Kyliain Mbappe, Gabriel Jesus and Ousmane Dembele, but Everton have their own nominee for the prize which crowns the best young player on the continent.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has broken into the first-team picture and has been nominated for the award.
The 20-year-old scored the winner in the under-20 World Cup final this summer playing alongside our own Lewis Cook.
He’s played 18 times for Everton’s first team since January and could be one to watch against us.
Cup progression...
The Toffees did record their first win since mid-August on Wednesday. Ronald Koeman’s side swept Sunderland away 3-0, with Calvert-Lewin bagging a brace and Oumar Niasse rounding off the victory at Goodison Park.
Everton now face a tricky fourth round tie at Chelsea, with the fixture being played in between their Premier League games against Arsenal and Leicester.
Tickets still available...
If you want to go and watch the Cherries up at Goodison Park, there’s still time to purchase your ticket. Approximately 250 remain on sale to supporters, but there will be no pay on the day at Everton.
Fans wishing to purchase a ticket should do so ahead of time and before the 12pm deadline tomorrow.
Ref Watch: Martin Atkinson to officiate Everton game
Martin Atkinson will be the man in the middle, as the Cherries travel to Goodison Park this weekend.
The 46-year-old has taken charge of two Premier League games this season, overseeing Manchester United’s 4-0 win over West Ham on the opening day and West Bromwich Albion’s 1-0 win at Burnley the week later.
Additionally, Atkinson has refereed one Championship fixture this term, opting to award two penalties as Bristol City beat Derby County 4-1.
The Yorkshireman isn’t shy of a booking either, handing out eight yellow cards and one red card in his three fixtures officiated this year.
This weekend, Atkinson will be assisted by Stephen Child and Adrian Holmes, with Jonathan Moss the fourth official.
Form