Everton have finally found the player and pairing they have been looking for for a long time.
On Saturday afternoon, Everton defeated Bournemouth 3-0 at Goodison Park.
After only eight minutes, James Garner scored, and Jack Harrison‘s sensational strike put the Blues in complete control at the break. Midway through the second half, Abdoulaye Doucoure finished the score.
Everton’s first home victory of the season came after four straight defeats at Goodison Park. Following the international break, the Blues will travel across Stanley Park to face Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
However, with Bournemouth still fresh in our minds, our Blues jury has spoken out on what happened at Goodison Park over the weekend.
In the end, the victory appeared nearly ordinary, with Bournemouth providing very little. Most of the guys on the team were excellent; James Garner was his normal creative self, Jarrad Branthwaite was composed beyond his years, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin looked fit despite not scoring.
However, the question remains: were Everton truly good, or were Bournemouth simply awful? Another standout was, of course, Jack Harrison, who already looked like a ‘Everton’ player.
Everton have finally found the player and pairing they have been looking for for a long time.
Pace, power, and confidence oozed from his veins – exactly the type of footballer we’ve been looking for for a long time. Harrison and Dwight McNeil appear to be the ideal combination of attacking prowess and defensive work rate; some may even suggest both players are ‘Dyche’ players.
I don’t want to disrupt the good vibes, but I have to address Beto. A guy who first piqued my interest has obvious flaws in his game. His hold-up play is commendable, but I have to wonder if his finishing is adequate.
In the Premier League, you only have one chance to score in certain games; he appears to need three or four right now. I understand that moving from another league might be difficult, so rally behind him; you never know, he could score the game-winning goal at Anfield in a few weeks!
Overall, a strong showing heading into the international break. Everton have finally found the player and pairing they have been looking for for a long time.
Paul McParlan – A new hope?
Everton fans left Goodison Park in a good mood for the first time this season after watching one of their best performances in an entertaining 3-0 demolition of AFC Bournemouth.
There were so many reasons to smile in the brilliant fall sun. In contrast to their terrible performance against Luton Town last week, the Blues played on the front foot throughout, attacking their opponents from the first minute and exploiting their flaws.
Jack Harrison was superb, forcing defenders to fear every time he touched the ball and capping his performance with one of the best home debut goals seen in recent memory.
Every game, James Garner gains confidence, and his touches and passing have provided a degree of creativity to the midfield that has been sorely absent at times. He should undoubtedly be given the opportunity to establish himself in a central midfield role and form a relationship with Amadou Onana.
The long-suffering Blues were relieved to see their team score more than one goal at home for the first time in almost a year, against Crystal Palace! For once, the team gambled, which has cost Everton dearly in the past.
xG metrics are meaningless unless you can put the ball in the net! The campaign’s first clean sheet was equally notable. Everton have won three and lost one of their previous four matches, scoring ten goals and allowing four, indicating that Sean Dyche may have discovered a way to get the best out of his team.
A fully fit Dominic Calvert Lewin makes a significant difference to this team and the manager’s game strategy. On Saturday, he was the focal centre of Everton’s attacks, and his flicks, twists, swivels, and heading generated chances for other players.
It demonstrates how correct the club was in being patient with his rehabilitation from a terrible injury. Everton enter the international break in 16th place, three points above the relegation zone. Most Evertonians would have expected the team to rank higher after their initial encounters, but recent form has been encouraging, and some seeds of optimism are sprouting.
Sean Dyche has failed to win two consecutive Premier League games during his time here, which is a cause of annoyance for both him and the supporters. Everton last accomplished this in nearly a year.
There is no better way to cap off our run than with a victory at our old home on October 21!
Alex McMonnies – People can criticise xG all they like
It’s difficult to put into words how long that Bournemouth triumph felt overdue.
The significance of the initial goal cannot be emphasized. I honestly believe the Toffees would have nine more points if they had scored in the first 15 minutes against Fulham, Wolves, and Luton. After only seven minutes, James Garner’s strike calmed the anxieties surrounding Goodison Park, and there was only going to be one winner from then on.
A moment of brilliance from Jack Harrison doubled their lead before the winger somehow failed to score from two yards out, a story Evertonians have become all too familiar with this season, only for the ball to fall to Abdoulaye Doucoure, who was able to smash home Everton’s third and put the outcome beyond doubt. Things were finally heading in the direction of the Blues.
People may criticize xG all they want, but that was the type of outcome that the performances against Fulham and Wolves deserved, and there had been countless signs that a score like that was on the way. Hopefully, now that it has occurred, the players will have regained their confidence in front of goal, and those unexplainable missed opportunities will become less often.
One thing is certain: if they can keep Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit, they will always be a threat. For me, the striker is back to his best and potentially showing signs of being an even more complete forward than he was under Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching.
He seems more assured on the ball than we’ve ever seen him and even more skilled at bringing in the people around him, and while he didn’t find the net against the Cherries, there will undoubtedly be more goals from him.
I’m not under the impression that this victory implies we’re out of the woods. But I am far more sure that these unfair defeats at home are a thing of the past, and the Toffees appear to be finding new ways to win.
