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It is now customary for Everton to make a slow start to a Premier League season. The Toffees are renowned for taking more points in the latter half of league campaigns. David Moyes’ side have two points from four games but a dramatic draw against Manchester United on Saturday may be the antidote they were after. The Scot acknowledged their lacklustre start but said before the match that, “we have a team capable of being in the top four.” It is a sentiment echoed by many but is it still achievable for a team who finished eighth last season? Slow starts aside, it may be their forward line which is precluding that place in Europe’s premier club competition. Everton scored three on Saturday but had to field an emergency striking partnership of Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini.
Scoring goals may not seem a problem after that performance but it is not a scenario fans would wish to see persist. Everton have many of the attributes required to challenge at the highest level. They lost just twice in the last 24 games of the previous season, demonstrating the experience of their defence. Their midfield boasts the versatility of the imposing Fellaini and the creative nous of Cahill, Steven Pienaar and Mikel Arteta. Everton are blessed with a loyal, passionate fan base which can produce an intimidating atmosphere at Goodison Park and have a tactically adept manager who is there for a long haul. The forward line is the only area which requires consideration.
The former Manchester United striker, Louis Saha was the club’s top scorer last season with 13 league goals. He has featured this season but is now out for three weeks with a calf and knee complaint. The 32-year old revealed he has used leeches in an attempt to ease his chronic knee pains which have afflicted him throughout his career. Saha has undoubtedly impressed at Everton, scoring a late brace to flatten West Ham at Upton Park and netting the fastest goal in a cup final at Wembley during his first season. He was more prolific last season and one particular highlight was his two goals against Chelsea despite missing a penalty during that home win.
The dilemma concerning Saha is whether he will be available often enough to cement his goal-scoring form. Serious injury has been endemic at Goodison in recent years and has affected the performance of Nigerian striker Yakubu. The 27-year old was the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer but remains at the club, hoping to recapture the form which saw him score more than 20 league goals in the 2007/08 campaign. A ruptured Achilles halted his progress in late 2008 and he has not managed to reach the same dizzying heights since. He made a substitute appearance on Saturday but his manager said, “The Yak is fit but certainly couldn’t complete a game at the moment.” Moyes still harbours great belief in his ability and has challenged him to return to peak physical condition.
Everton acted promptly to secure the signing of free agent Jermaine Beckford this summer after the forward’s contract expired at Leeds United. He had been exceptional for the sleeping giants in League One, regularly scoring over 20 goals a season, hitting 31 last year. He sparkled too in their FA Cup run, scoring the winner at Old Trafford and a last gasp equaliser at White Hart Lane. He scored a penalty for his new club in their League Cup victory over Huddersfield Town but has yet to adapt to the PL. This is understandable for the player who described his summer move as a “big test.” But his pace which was on show against Aston Villa will be an asset to the club.
However Moyes, who has grown tired of playing catch-up early in the season, may find his striking dilemma too time consuming. Elsewhere James Vaughan has joined Crystal Palace on loan while Victor Anichebe still has to win over the fans after refusing to play in their FA Cup replay against Liverpool. Moyes acted cunningly in the transfer market, swooping for Magaye Gueye from Strasbourg and Joao Silva from the Portuguese second tier. Both could prove to be ingenious buys but for now their ambitions rest on restoring the Yak to his striking potential.
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