Do Everton have enough goals to beat Premier League drop?

Although the Premier League season is very much in its infancy, it is clear that goals will be an issue for Everton in the campaign. After six matches, the Toffees netted only four times, even if Frank Lampard’s men saw one chalked off for a debatable, at best, offside decision against Conor Coady in the Merseyside Derby against Liverpool at Goodison Park. That call could be very interesting come the end of the season. Lampard and his team look to be on course for a battle to remain in the Premier League once again.

The BetUK sports betting odds back Everton at 5/2 to be relegated from the top flight, which is just behind the top three candidates Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, and Leicester City. As a result, there is work to be done for the Toffees to prove that they can remain in the Premier League, especially in the final third.

Although they have made moves to sign Neal Maupay to bolster their ranks, finding goals on a regular basis will be extremely difficult. A lot of the pressure to keep the Toffees in the top flight will fall on Anthony Gordon, who has been a revelation since breaking into the first team last season. At the age of 21, Gordon will bear a huge responsibility, although at this stage of his career it is a lot to ask of the forward.

His drive and determination, pressing his opponents and running at defences with pace and skill, epitomised Everton’s desire to remain in the Premier League. Gordon’s performances caught the eye of Chelsea, who was linked with a £45m move for his services. Everton managed to repel their advances, and it could be a decision that keeps them in the fight for survival. Losing Gordon would have been unthinkable after the sale of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury. How Gordon performs in his second full season as a start will make or break Everton’s chances.

Calvert-Lewin should be the reliable figure in the final third, but his injury problems have stymied a promising career. The 25-year-old was sensational in back-to-back seasons, scoring 29 goals in 69 Premier League appearances between 2019 and 2021.

However, his issues began in the last term and ruled him out of Everton’s survival battle. They have persisted into the new campaign as Calvert-Lewin suffered a knee problem before Everton’s opener, leaving Lampard without his focal point. If the forward cannot return to the field, the Toffees will have major problems in front of the goal.

Maupay’s arrival was necessary for depth, but he was not exactly clinical in front of goal for Brighton in three years at the Amex Stadium. He was steady although far from prolific in a team that did create its fair share of chances in the final third. Unless he can stage a turnaround in form, Everton is not going to get value for money from the 26-year-old after paying the Seagulls £20m for his services.

It is going to be a long hard slog for Everton to remain in the Premier League, especially due to their prowess in front of goal. They will have to rely on both young players to rise to the occasion and others to produce their peak form to avoid the drop into the Championship.

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