Everton vs Norwich City

Lyndon Lloyd , 24 November, 29comments | Jump to most recent

Match Preview

If a hat-load of missed chances, porous defending and four consecutive scoring draws hadn't provided ample warning that Everton's promising start to the season was in danger of turning into a "what might have been", last weekend's debacle at Reading was hopefully the wake-up call that David Moyes's team needed.

They return to Goodison Park for consecutive home games with a point to prove, not only to those clubs that would be rivals for fourth place come May but also to themselves and their long-suffering supporters.

Injuries to key players, most notably Darron Gibson and Kevin Mirallas, have played their part in the Blues' failure to either kill off opposition teams or keep hold of precious advantages but the fact remains that they have been good enough going forward to have accumulated significantly more points than they have to date... and they know it.

So, time for Moyes's men to start backing up the diminishing hype with victories, starting with the visit of Norwich City this weekend. It won't be easy; the Canaries comes to Merseyside buouyed by last Saturday's 1-0 win over Manchester United.

Chris Hughton's side made a rocky start to the new season and looked destined for a desperate scrap against relegation in the aftermath of Paul Lambert's departure in the summer for Aston Villa. Unbeaten in five games now, though, they've started to find themselves and sit 13th in the table coming into this round of fixtures.

They've yet to win away from home this season, though, and that will encourage Moyes as he plots his team's path to what would be a fourth home win of the Premier League campaign.

He will have to do it without the in-form Marouane Fellaini, however. The Belgian picked up his fifth yellow card at the Madjeski Stadium last weekend and serves a one-game ban. (Rather against comparatively weaker Norwich than Arsenal or Manchester City is the general feeling, though.)

Down one talented Belgium then, Moyes may be able to welcome Mirallas back after he missed the Reading defeat with a hamstring strain. The club's medical staff won't want to rush the tricky forward back before he is ready and the manager was cagey about his prospects of starting in his pre-match press conference but the 25 year-old may play some part. He would likely take Fellaini's place behind Nikica Jelavic or take the wide-right role with Steven Naismith playing in the hole.

Also on the cards for a return is Gibson who hasn't played any first-team football for 10 weeks. Moyes was similarly cautious about his prospects, but after coming through unscathed from 63 minutes' action for the U-21s earlier in the week, he too could figure at some stage in the proceedings, if not from the start. Should he fail to make it, Thomas Hitzlsperger would likely make his full home debut.

Elsewhere in the side, there were suggestions from some quarters on Friday that Seamus Coleman and Sylvain Distin were struggling to be fit with unspecified injuries which, with Tony Hibbert doubtful and Phil Neville ruled out, would pose a serious problem at right back.

Norwich have proven themselves difficult to break down in recent weeks and sides like that have been a challenge for Everton despite their attacking talent and potency provided from the likes of Leighton Baines. More territorial superiority will be the expected order of the day; the question is, can the forward line make it pay?

Kick off:
3pmReferee: Mike Jones

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Reader Comments (29)

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Phil Sammon
1 Posted 24/11/2012 at 07:39:38

It's the first I've heard of Colemsn being a doubt. Lets hope that ones not true.

The big issue for me is how we cope without the big Fella. Miralles being fit would be a massive boost for us, otherwise we're going to be reliant on the off-colour Pienaar and Baines partnership.

A tight defence and a brace from Jelavić please.

Kevin Day
2 Posted 24/11/2012 at 07:57:27

Not having Fellaini might just work in our favour today because we will not be predictable which I feel is what has been happening lately. Gibson coming back is massive in my eyes and his return should see us returning clean sheets. Here's hoping anyway.

Sam Hoare
3 Posted 24/11/2012 at 08:14:32

Time for jelavic to put away a few more of those half chance he was but tying last season.

If Coleman is out then I suppose the only option is Oviedo? Bout time we saw a bit more of him.

Equally if mirallas and gibson aren't match fit then maybe Barkley might start in the fellaini role? Would be interesting!

Anto Byrne
4 Posted 24/11/2012 at 09:14:28

I would like to see the Greek kid more involved gaining experience. Pienaar and Mirallas should compete for that left spot.

Barkley to at least be on the bench and given solid time. At 19 he should be coming on and Coleman is a good reserve and should play off the bench.

Gibbo returning maybe? I don't rate Howard at all at the moment, perhaps a run of clean sheets is required so we may have to KITAP1 while he runs into form.

Heitinga was slow out of he blocks last year but found his form after Xmas. Distin should be in today to look after Holt.

Tony Hibbert a proven defender and his crosses have improved so hoping he can come back and do a job to shore up the leaky defence.

If Jelly needs a rest we could try two big boys up front as battering rams against a very resolute Norwich defence who don't concede goals.

We can't afford to go behind and 0 - 0 is very much on the cards. The bookies have us favourites at 6-4 with the Canaries at 7-1. I will take a 6-4 win today.

Nick Entwistle
5 Posted 24/11/2012 at 09:35:46

I love Fallaini, he is a very effective... affective... too early... individual, but not key to the team play. At least not the silky smooth stuff. A Pienaar, Ossie, Hitzl, Naismith and Mirallas midfield is all fine by me... against Norwich.

Ted Smeethes
6 Posted 24/11/2012 at 09:49:27

I agree with Nick. Fellaini is a great player but in the 2nd half of the 2010-11 season we came on strong when he was out injured for the 2nd half, also the previous season if I remember.

Phil Walling
7 Posted 24/11/2012 at 09:47:49

Lose this one and `the dream` is over. It will be back to settling for `the best of the rest` aim we have had to accept for the past few years. With even Marshy creaming himself over our `magic` football and Moyes lauded as `the best in the game`, too many Evertonians have got carried away.

My verdict: A decent start — for a bloody change — and an improved style of play. But a combination of dozy defending, profligate finishing and crap refereeing serve to see us struggling to hang on to a European place. Forget the Top Four dream — the places will (as usual) go to the two Mancs, Chelsea and Arsenal — and I suspect Spurs and The Shite will have a big say in the Europa spot.

Having suffered that dose of reality — COYB!

Kieran Fitzgerald
8 Posted 24/11/2012 at 10:17:10

Totally agree Phil. One win in six says it all. We have forgotten how to defend and for a David Moyes team that is amazing.

For me I think that the biggest danger is that the team will lose the confidence and flair that the wonderful start to the season gave us. If the fans are starting to get frustrated and annoyed then it must be affecting the players as well.

This is a must win game and we must win well. It will give the team a lift, keep mus in the chase and improve the goal difference.

Phil Sammon
9 Posted 24/11/2012 at 10:34:52

We must start winning more but this game is by no means 'must win'.

Jesus, what's with the drama guys? Why are people so keen to knock the club?

Yes we could be going better but every single one of us must be pleased with this start and the style of play.

I really do hate football fans at times. So many are obsessed with the negatives. Yes, there are some, but Phil Walling's post is a joke. Go support another club if its that bad.

COYB

Mike Powell
10 Posted 24/11/2012 at 10:41:29

This is a must win game we can not afford to keep dropping points to teams like Norwich if we are serious about challenging for fourth, which by the way I don't think we will get any way if we can not beat the likes off QPR, Reading or Wigan then we are not as good as we think we are. I would Barkley on from the start not a big fan off the lad but its games like this that we could see the best off him, I hope Coleman gets dropped he has been a liability lately.

Paul Smith
11 Posted 24/11/2012 at 11:06:11

I have to agree with Phil Sammon.

Some people 'need to get a grip', the negativity before a ball has even been kicked and to say the shower from over the road will finish above us after their performances so far, is defeatist to say the least.

I know it's difficult not to get carried away sometimes, and trying to gauge a football team's true potential is somewhat of a guessing game for the layman. But surely most sensible Evertonians can see/sense we have the makings of a very good team.

Or am I deluded in believing!!!

Ciarán McGlone
12 Posted 24/11/2012 at 11:21:05

Every game is 'must win'..

Not sure what rational school of football support you come from Phil.

As for telling someone to go support another club... (Shakes head )

James Brand
13 Posted 24/11/2012 at 11:25:59

Phil Walling #881

Spot on...couldn't have put it better!

Trevor Lynes
14 Posted 24/11/2012 at 11:16:19

It's quite obvious that ever since the start of the season we cannot afford injuries with the tiny squad we have. We need to look at replacing our older players and providing decent cover for other players who may get injured or suspended which is the norm every season.

To even dream about a 4th place finish is ridiculous with the squad we have. Moyes has been like old mother Hubbard all through his career with us and its pretty obvious (to me anyway) that if European football is an aim then money MUST be spent.

If we finish in the top 6 or 7 then we will have done really well in the present circumstances.

Kieran Fitzgerald
15 Posted 24/11/2012 at 11:28:10

Phil Salmon, part of being a football fan is that you do tend to focus on the negatives at times. You are emotionally tied to the week by week fortunes of a club. If your team win's ten games on the trot, you are screaming with delight and everything is brilliant. One win in six after a great start is going to get you down and you will grumble about the negatives, having being so elated. That doesn't necessarily mean you are pissing all over the club crest or are threatening to shoot the manager.

What should we do Phil? Only focus on saying positive things or say nothing at all? Wax lyrical about how well we are playing but ignore the fact that the back four are leaking goals at an alarming rate and that our strikers are only converting a small percentage of our chances?

Provide a counter arguement, don't just tell someone they are being overly negative and to go away and support another club.

Brent Stephens
16 Posted 24/11/2012 at 11:35:19

It's ok to express frustration and make (not very positive) predictions - but FFS Phil (Walling) you're so effing pessimistic and negative at times, especially going into the next game. You make me even more blue!

Steve Cotton
17 Posted 24/11/2012 at 11:58:59

3-0 home win and about time. Jelavic 2 and Pienaar. COYB!

I saw it in my tea leaves this morning....

Kieran Fitzgerald
18 Posted 24/11/2012 at 12:34:05

And Phil Salmon, I would see this as a must win game too. If we don't win, and depending on results,Arsenal and West Ham could go above us, Spurs could draw level on points with us, West Brom could go six points ahead of us. Psychologically, even at this stage of the season, this could be a huge blow. To go from fourth to eight after our recent run of games is depressing at best. Yes, we could turn it around after a couple of games and be back in fourth, it has been that type of a season. But I think that other teams would have built up a head of steam and it would be harder form us given how confidence might be affected. We also have a very ahrd run of games coming up mas well which won't help matters.

Paul Smith
19 Posted 24/11/2012 at 12:51:18

I am excited about today's game and full of optimism. I totally agree with Phil #886 (except the part about go `support another team') that there's no need to panic!.

I have to disagree with Phil (walling) about the shite though on the evidence of what I have seen so far, there no great shakes, and on the evidence of what I have seen of the blues so far we should be positive going in to this one.

I hope I`m not forced to eat my words COYB.

Paul David
20 Posted 24/11/2012 at 13:17:36

I think we're going to win at least 3 nil today,don't know why but just think its going to be a good day. Mirallas to get a brace if he's played in Fellaini's position.

Phil Walling
21 Posted 24/11/2012 at 13:00:56

Sorry,Phil Salmon,after more than 40 years a Blue I shan`t be going off to `support another team`! But four draws and a defeat just does not light my fire however `well`we are supposed to have played.One of the major problems with over-elaboration is that it gives the opposition much more time to block the path to goal-just ask Arsenal fans- and in all those games,Everton`s new fancy football has lacked a cutting edge.Add that to the failure of Jelavic to maintain his shooting accuracy (no surprise to Rangers fans), the total lack of cover for the injured Gibson and Moyes`uncertainty over his best back four and it`s no wonder the results have fallen off.
I want success for Everton as much as anybody but I refuse to get boggle -eyed over a string of near misses and the faint praise heaped upon Moyes by the likes of Phil Thompson and the banal Merson.

Jamie Crowley
22 Posted 24/11/2012 at 13:28:32

Hope to see Barkley playing behind Jelavic. Think he's gonna be one helluva player and would like to see him get more time on the pitch.

James Morgan
23 Posted 24/11/2012 at 11:51:04

Looks like we won't get fourth back this weekend!

Jamie Barlow
24 Posted 24/11/2012 at 13:48:26

There's a long way to go yet James.

Let's just start with a win today. Being fourth or higher doesn't mean anything in November.

John Ford
25 Posted 24/11/2012 at 13:44:48

Philip, I agree we shouldn't be lighting bonfires just yet, but your point about over elaboration doesn't stack up. It's our passing and thoughtful movement which is creating so many chances. If it was too intricate or indulgent then we just wouldnt create the chances we have been. Its this part of our game which fans are loving. We create as many chances as anyone ithe league (apparently) Surely this is something you should identify with?

It's only the finishing and shooting which is off - I say only but obviously it's a key to success. I'm expecting a five today. I live in hope of course.

Phil Walling
26 Posted 24/11/2012 at 13:56:12

I`m just HOPING for five today, John!

Sean Condon
27 Posted 24/11/2012 at 13:41:11

I can easily see us losing this one and then beating the Arse. It's just the Everton way. Equally, I could see us winning this 5 - 0.

Never in the Moyes era have we looked so dynamic going forward, and never have we looked so suspect at the back. Surely, all the pressure and resulting chances are bound to explode into a couple of four-or-five goal outbursts at some point, right?

But will it matter when it does, because this defense is an absolute bloody shambles, the worst of Moyes's tenure by the distance of Secretariat's victory at Belmont in '73......a country mile and then some. Not having the steady Gibson in front of the back four recently hasn't helped, nor has Howard's having a nightmare of a season, but the play of Coleman, Distin and Heitinga has been nothing short of shocking.

COYB!!!

Ciarán McGlone
28 Posted 24/11/2012 at 15:06:48

Stunning move from Everton: Hitzlsperger, Oviedo, Naismith combo...

Delightful

Anto Byrne
29 Posted 24/11/2012 at 15:50:56

What can you say about Howard????! Just not good enough pathetic keeping. And Mike Jones... what an absolute fucking cunt!

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