Everton will be looking for their first win in a month when they face West Ham United at home on Monday.
The Blues will be looking to turn things around after a disappointing cup exit, where rotations cost them the game against Wolves in the third round of the Carabao Cup. That disappointing night at Molineux was preceded by a 2-1 derby loss at Anfield.
Three points against West Ham could potentially take Everton to eighth in the league table
Here are the important talking points before the game:
A win here is essential for morale
The Toffees are seeking all three points here that would help them turn a corner following the miserable last few weeks, which began with a goalless draw against Aston Villa.
Despite creating multiple chances, the Blues lacked the finishing touch in the opposition box and had to settle for just one point. On paper, it’s a game that Moyes’s side should’ve won, given Villa’s poor record this season.
In the following Merseyside derby, Everton didn’t show up for the first half at Anfield and conceded two goals. Despite a spirited fight in the second half, the side didn’t create enough for an equaliser and suffered their second loss of the season.
Moyes had a golden opportunity to turn things around against Wolves in the cup but he made seven changes to his lineup, which ended up costing him the game. A third-round exit from the Carabao Cup is a bitter blow to trophy expectations and nothing less than three points against West Ham will suffice.
It’s imperative that the Toffees finally turn a corner in front of their home fans; otherwise, losses and draws can easily pile up, and a period of bad form could end up becoming cataclysmic. The Toffees simply cannot afford that right now.
West Ham aren’t the most settled camp at the moment
The timing of West Ham’s sacking of Graham Potter could play right into Everton’s hands. Potter was dismissed after the pre-match press conference and reports suggest that the sudden nature of the dismissal left the West Ham squad in shock.
Former Wolves, Spurs and Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has taken over the side languishing in the relegation zone, with just three points in five games.
It’s fair to say that the Hammers dressing room is not the most well-settled in the league at the moment. Preparation for the match on Monday has undoubtedly been chaotic, led by two different coaching staffs, and Everton should really fancy themselves to take advantage of it.
Everton’s midfield suffers massively without Idrissa Gueye
Everton’s midfield lacks the quality to dictate games whenever Idrissa Gueye is not on the pitch.
It was evident during the 3-2 win over Wolves when Gueye was subbed off at the 76th minute and the Blues, who had been completely dominating their opponents up until that point, lost control of proceedings, conceded a goal just three minutes later, and limped their way to the finish line.
In their rematch against Wolves in the EFL Cup, Gueye’s absence was even more prominent. Opting to rest the veteran midfielder, Moyes started with a midfield of James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam, and Charly Alcaraz, which resulted in an impotent first half where none of the Everton players could leave their mark on the game.
Despite his age, Gueye continues to be the most important player at the heart of the engine room and is responsible for dictating the tempo for his side while breaking up opposition plays. It’s a shame that Everton didn’t bring in a more potent central midfielder to partner with or even replace Gueye despite their busy transfer window.