With only 3 games remaining of the season and Premier League safety long since confirmed, the main challenge for David Moyes remains motivating a side where the main objective of the season has already been achieved. The Scotsman tried to seek the positives in last week’s 2-2 draw with relegated Ipswich, it appears the majority of the fan base struggled to see things in the same light.
Regardless of the result at Southampton next weekend, Everton will have said farewell to Goodison Park by winning the lowest number of home games in a 38-match season. This season has been another challenging one and whilst Moyes cannot be blamed at all for what he inherited and should rightly be praised for the job he’s done, his biggest challenge alongside recruitment this summer is a change of attitude, standards and expectations. Quite simply put, this should be the last season Everton are seen as a side fighting to stay up.
I don’t write these words from a place of entitlement, rather from a place of expecting more structure off the pitch to impact performances on it. David Moyes confirmed that the new ownership has promised money to spend, the transfer rumour mill is overflowing with links and ties to players and backroom staff, so with that in mind you would think the ‘excuse’ of inheritance goes out the window should Moyes get what he wants over the summer.
Whatever way you spin it, throwing away a 2-0 lead for the 4th time this season to an already relegated side, at home and 1 win in 10 games is simply not good enough. I am by no means suggesting Moyes 2.0 has run its course but I do believe you can expect better from someone you want to see succeed. Up next on the final stretch of the season a trip to Fulham, which historically has not been a happy hunting ground for The Toffees and a test against former Everton boss Marco Silva.
If You Know Your History… Everton v Fulham Through the Years
As referenced on The Toffee Blues Podcast this week, David Moyes’ very first game as Everton boss was against Fulham. A feisty and fiery 2-1 win at Goodison Park gave Evertonians a glimpse of what was to come over the next 11 years. What was to come for Fulham was 15 defeats to Moyes’ men in all competitions. One of the opponents that David Moyes enjoyed the most success against during his first spell. Although, it did take 7 years in charge for David Moyes to secure his first win at Craven Cottage. A double from Leon Osman on 24th May 2009 lifted a long run without a win on the banks of the Thames.
In all competitions, Everton haven’t won against Fulham home or away in their last 7 meetings. You have to go back to 22nd November 2020 when Carlo Anceloti’s Everton beat Scott Parker’s Fulham 3-2 thanks to goals from Dominic Calvert Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure. Since then Benitez, Lampard and Dyche have all failed to beat Marco Silva’s Fulham, with Fulham winning 4 and drawing 3. Earlier in the season Sean Dyche’s Everton managed a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park, thanks to a stoppage time equaliser from Beto. The goal in the 94th minute spared Everton’s blushes, who found themselves behind to former player Alex Iwobi’s goal on the hour mark.
Overall though Everton do still edge the head-to-head stats. The Toffees have managed to win against Fulham on 31 occasions. Fulham have claimed victory 24 times and the sides have drawn on 16 different meetings.
Team News
David Moyes confirms there are no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to Fulham. Simply a ‘few knocks and niggles’ that need to be assessed. Meaning Everton will have almost a fully fit squad for the trip to the capital with James Tarkowski and Jesper Lindstrom the current long term absentees. The Everton manager also confirmed that Abdoulaye Doucoure is available for selection again, after missing last week’s game against Ipswich due to a ‘personal reason’.
Reiss Nelson appears to be the only notable absentee for Fulham this weekend. Harrison Reed and Rodrigo Muniz Carvalho could both return from time out injured and are likely to at least make the bench this weekend.
What the Manager Says
Moyes on The Final Games of the Season- “I want us to finish strong. I think I’d rather us try and finish 13th, I think that’s the best we can do. We want the players to keep the standards and keep the levels up.”
Moyes on Fulham- “He’s done a brilliant job at Fulham. Fulham don’t look like a yo-yo club. They look a good solid club now. They’ve made good signings. Every game is a test for us at the moment. They are higher in the league for us. We probably go there as underdogs.
Everton Key Player
Carlos Alcaraz- In light of the recent comments of Abdoulaye Doucoure, I’d be very surprised to see him as an Everton player beyond this season. Contracts appear to have become the sticking point for David Moyes, another issue he inherited when returning to the club. A number of long serving players have expiring contracts, the club also has a high number of loan players. Of those loan players, one in particular looks like a player the fans want to see as an Everton player next season but is Moyes as sure?
We know the deal in January for Carlos Alcaraz to return to England and play for Everton had clauses that meant a number of appearances would see him sign permanently. It would appear that his recent spell out of the side mean David Moyes wanted more time to assess the player before triggering that clause. In spells and brief cameos Carlos Alcaraz has looked exciting, positive and creative. His start against Ipswich last week was another occasion where he looked to take the game to the opposition and excite the fans in doing so. Depending on the style of football Moyes is looking to play long term and the players he may have identified elsewhere as targets, Carlos Alcaraz’s spell at Everton might be a brief one. Yet this weekend I would expect the young Argentinian to get another start and if that is the case I expect he will be key to Everton’s chances of another decent away performance.
A very different prospect to Doucoure and largely played out of position due to injuries and trying to accomodate Ndiaye as the 10. Alcaraz might just prove his worth to the Everton manager through his versatility, rather than his creativity. With a rebuild upon us this summer, I would bet the manager would favour any player who can comfortably play in a number of roles and positions. So far this season, Alcaraz fits the bill.
One to Watch for Fulham:
Bernd Leno – Like a broken clock is right twice a day, you can guarantee that a goalkeeper for a mid table Premier League side will have the game of his life against Everton. The German keeper has played 37 times in all competitions for Fulham this season, keeping just 5 clean sheets and conceding 51 goals. Yet I’d go on record in this preview and say even if Everton produce a clinical and powerful attacking display tomorrow, Leno will claim player of the match for saves and denying goal scoring opportunities.
Leno has kept 3 clean sheets against The Toffees since arriving at Craven Cottage in 2022. Conceding just 3 goals in 6 appearances. This weekend sees a Fulham side with much to play for but they have not kept a clean sheet since mid March, something I am sure former Everton manager Marco Silva will be reminding his defence ahead of a visit from his former side.
At 33 years of age, Leno might not be the keeper he once was in the Bundesliga or during his time at Arsenal. These stats and facts might make a strong performance tomorrow even harder to take. Everton will need to be far improved on set pieces, they will need to create chances and keep them on target. All in an effort to test a keeper who has not had the best of seasons.
Final Thoughts
Many fans will have made their peace with this season. Many will believe Moyes remains the man to take Everton forward and that this season is as good as over, all focus should be on the summer and the new stadium. Whilst in principal I can support that ideology, a part of me does become frustrated with how quickly we lower the bar. There should be a point to prove for many of these players, with a potential rebuild on the horizon. Even those that know they won’t be at Everton next season should be playing for contracts and higher salaries elsewhere. For me David Moyes needs to let the handbrake off and needs to allow more creative freedom up top. Should for whatever reason this already be the case, then the players need to step up or step out.
Prediction
2-1. For the first time since David Moyes’ return to Everton, I am predicting a defeat. Historically speaking Craven Cottage has not been a fruitful trip for The Toffees and this looks like an Everton side running out of steam and with several players looking uninterested. Fulham do still have an outside chance of European football next season. Whilst currently 11th in the league, a strong end to the season could see them sneak into a Conference League spot. I think Calvert Lewin will get a goal in an otherwise low energy affair.
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