And then it was two…
This weekend sees the arrival of already relegated Ipswich Town to Goodison Park in what will be the penultimate game at The Old Lady. Two games left, on the back of two defeats and following a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture. Yes, that was a ‘list of three’ about the number two.
The hardest task to face the returning David Moyes was undoubtedly going to be motivating a squad of players who may or may not be at the club next season when the objective of Premier League safety was achieved. Whilst the results against Man City and Chelsea were far from concerning, the performances that lacked cutting edge and highlighted the overhaul that faces Moyes this summer.
With very little else to play for David Moyes will simply continue assessing what he has available to him and at the very least win the last two games at Goodison Park. Everton couldn’t have asked for more favourable opposition in the form of Ipswich and Southampton, who are both destined for the Championship next season. A lot of leeway has been afforded to David Moyes and whilst a lot of praise has been earned, the season will certainly end on a sour note should Everton not pick up maximum points from their remaining home games.
Ipswich are not to be overlooked. Whilst this season might have come a year too early for them off the back of back-to-back promotions, Town have in glimpses shown what young and promising manager Kieran McKenna is trying to build in East Anglia. All eyes will be on one or two of those promising young players who if rumours are to be believed might find their way to Bramley Moore next season.
If You Know Your History… Everton v Ipswich Through the Years
David Moyes faces Ipswich Town for the first time as Everton manager this weekend. The last time Ipswich came to Goodison Park, they won 2-1 against Walter Smith’s Everton. David Moyes would take charge for the first time a little over a month later. Goals on that day from Peralta and Holland gave the visitors the win, despite David Unsworth scoring a penalty.
In fact, Ipswich have won on their previous 2 Premier League visits to Goodison Park, with a convincing 3-0 win back in September of 2000. That being said, this is a fixture rarely played due to playing in different leagues over the last 20-years. Everton have enjoyed this one more than this weekend’s opponents. The Toffees have bested the Tractor Boys on 26 occasions. With Town toppling Everton 15 times. The sides have played out a draw in 19 meetings.
Sean Dyche managed a 2-0 win at Portman Road earlier in the season. Iliman Ndiaye and Michael Keane on the scoresheet back in October. A rare comfortable win on the road. I said on The Toffee Blues Podcast earliest this week that a far worse Everton side beat a far better Ipswich side earlier in the season. With that and Ipswich’s injuries, there can be no excuses for a poor performance at the weekend.
Team News
David Moyes confirms that Dominic Calvert Lewin is ready for first team selection ahead of this weekend’s game, although he looks unlikely to start. James Tarkowski and Jesper Lindstrom remain out for the rest of the season. Otherwise David Moyes has a full squad to choose from at the weekend.
Former Everton player Nathan Broadhead is unlikely to return to Goodison Park as he recovers from a thigh injury. Ipswich also remain without Muric, Philogene and Wes Burns who have longer term injuries. Sam Szmodics, Ben Johnson, Kalvin Phillips and Axel Tuanzebe could feature as they return to fitness. Leif Davis is suspended.
What the Manager Says
Moyes on Reaching 40 Points and Next Season- “I would like Everton to be thinking a lot higher than 40 points in the future. We want to keep doing well and we want to keep it up. Evertonians should know that work has begun behind the scenes [for next season].”
Moyes on Ipswich and Kieran McKenna – “Great young manager. I think he’s the only one who has taken a team from the first division to the Championship to the Premier League. It’s an unbelievable achievement. Let’s just remember Ipswich is a club that has challenged for first division titles [in the past].
Everton Key Player
Jarrad Branthwaite- Leadership has been somewhat lacking in Everton’s back four, since the injury to captain James Tarkowski a fortnight ago. Up steps Jarrad Branthwaite. I certainly had reservations over the relatively young back four of Patterson, O’Brien, Branthwaite and Mykolenko. Yet against Chelsea the towering English center-half looked to evolve once again. Rapidly taking to the Premier League last season and now seemingly taking that next step to become a leader. Many have tipped Branthwaite to be a future England captain, Evertonians will hope he has a spell as Everton captain first.
His importance continues into this weekend’s game. Ipswich will play for nothing more than pride but might fancy a scalp on their final visit to Goodison Park. Branthwaite will be expected to step up and hold the back four together. David Moyes is unlikely to make changes and should that be the case the youngster will need to lead from the back.
Everton have struggled for goals in April. The return of Dominic Calvert Lewin might go someway to rectifying that problem in May. Regardless Jarrad Branthwaite will be key to keeping clean sheets, which have been dwindling in a post-Dyche era.
One to Watch for Ipswich:
Liam Delap – Everton are said to be ‘all in’ on the young England star, who really has been a shining light for Ipswich this season. A breakthrough campaign for the former Man City academy player. A tall, powerful, imposing lad who can finish. Whilst many Evertonians will be keeping a close eye on Delap tomorrow, the Everton defenders will be wise to keep an even closer eye. The striker has 12 goals and 2 assists in 33 Premier League games this season. Stats an Everton forward could only dream of in recent years. Whilst in recent games Delap has been somewhat subdued with a suspected hip injury, he will be one of many Town players ‘in the shop window’ for the remaining Premier League games.
Questions have been asked of Everton’s defence since the injury to James Tarkowski and whilst the partnership of O’Brien and Branthwaite is one many Evertonians have cried out for, they will be tested against a real threat in Delap, should he start on Saturday.
Final Thoughts
At this point, the only thing that matters is seeing off Goodison Park in style. The fixtures are favourable, the squad is almost at full fitness. Now is the time to see what a David Moyes Everton side can do without pressure. Foot on the gas, handbrake off. It is time to fully shake the shackles of Dyche Ball. The Toffees are long overdue a big win, no time like the present. The penultimate game at Goodison is set to look great thanks to the efforts of The 1878, here’s hoping the performance on it can reflect that.
Prediction
2-0. Run it back. Ipswich will come out fighting. They stick to their style of play. They will not be looking to stop that now that relegation has been confirmed. Everton should have more than enough to fight that off. I expect Calvert Lewin to return with a goal and would like to see Ndiaye return to fitness and form with his name on the scoresheet.
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