In a contest lacking any real quality or substance, Everton and Arsenal played out a drab 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.
Snapshot
Having done an impressive job as interim manager, Duncan Ferguson would no doubt have been hoping to bow out in style against the Gunners. Before the game even kicked-off, it was confirmed that Carlo Ancelotti would be taking over the reins on a full-time basis, and there may have been a sense of hope and expectation that the Toffees could put on a show to impress their new boss.
Instead, the Italian – who was in the stands – watched a game between two sides that failed to create too much in way of chances, with just two shots on target combined over the course of the 90 minutes. But things could potentially have been so much different had Ferguson opted to bring on Bernard instead of Cenk Tosun after Alex Iwobi was forced with a suspected hamstring injury early in the first-half. Instead, the Turkey international’s lacklustre display was summed up by him being substituted himself a la Moise Kean last week.
Off the bench
After seeing Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin help to secure a creditable point against Manchester United last time out in the Premier League, it was little surprise to see Ferguson opt for the same duo up front once more. But when Iwobi pulled up, the Everton legend decided Tosun was the man to bring on. And whilst he kept the shape the same, it forced him to move Richarlison out wide, thus breaking up the successful strike partnership from the previous weekend.
And as per Sofascore, Tosun struggled immensely in trying to get involved in the game. As per Sofascore, the 28-year-old managed no shots on target, just 11 accurate passes, and lost all three of his aerial duels. Had Bernard come on instead, then Ferguson would have had two centre-forwards more comfortable with running the channels and going in behind. Instead, his substitute’s lack of pace and athleticism meant the pre-match game-plan was upset massively, and they couldn’t turn the Arsenal back-line with balls in between the full-back and centre-back.
Did he play for Everton? Simple question but a lot tougher than you think…
The Gunners were there for the taking, but Ferguson’s substitution helped the north London side seize the initiative. It was no surprise therefore to see Everton register no shots on target, create no big chances, and average just 43%. It didn’t prove to be too much of a costly mistake in terms of the result, but the Toffees legend perhaps in hindsight may have done things differently.
Meanwhile, Everton fans have reacted to this pundit saying the club have made the wrong choice in appointing Carlo Ancelotti.
