English Premier League preview: Everton
David Moyes’s Everton side have variously flattered to deceive and failed to live up to expectations over recent years, but they have consistently performed well and finished in the top half of the table most seasons he has been at the helm. After suffering the disappointment of missing out on a UEFA Europa League qualification spot last season, Moyes will be looking to push on and once again compete in Europe.
While the title looks to be beyond them, qualification for Europe is always a strong possibility for Everton. In fact, they managed to finish fourth in the 2004-05 season and qualified for the UEFA Champions League. Last season was the first time in four years that they failed to qualify for a European competition, but Moyes will be targeting a return to continental action this season.
Lethal striker
Though he is still on the lookout for another striker and a right midfielder, the shrewd Moyes has captured four players' signatures this summer.
Perhaps the most intriguing of them is that of former Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford, who arrived on a free transfer after his contract with the club expired. The 26-year-old had been in lethal form for Leeds over the past couple of seasons, scoring 72 goals in 126 games for the club while he helped them achieve promotion to the Football League Championship last season. While he is a proven goalscorer at lower-league level, questions remain over his ability to net regularly in the EPL, but as he was available for no fee Moyes was prepared to take a risk on the frontman.
Key to Everton’s hopes of gaining a place that will ensure them European qualification is making sure Mikel Arteta and Steven Piennar stay at the club. The pair are Everton’s most creative players, regularly carving out good chances for the strikers.
New lease of life
Arteta had played for most of his career as a defensive midfielder, but it was only when he arrived at Everton that he really became a force when Moyes encouraged him to play in a more advanced position. His close ball control, strong crossing skills and ability to accelerate past defenders quickly has seen him become an important component of Everton’s midfield.
Since joining the club in January 2005, Arteta has made 173 appearances for the club. In that time, he has scored 30 goals and provided assists for another 37.
In two years at Everton, Pienaar has scored six goals in 58 games. That figure doesn’t tell the whole story though as the South African winger has created many opportunities for his team-mates to score. After a series of excellent performances in 2009-10, he was named as Everton’s player of the season.
Arteta’s midfield partner Marouane Fellaini is another player who can make a difference in Everton’s fortunes this season. If he stays fit, the 6"4' player can provide a potent threat for the team with his aerial ability at set pieces. Fellaini is also strong with the ball at his feet as his outstanding passing skills, tackling and forward runs have led to the £15m club record signing becoming an important part of Moyes’ set-up.
Injuries have played their part in Everton not achieving as high a place as pundits had tipped them for in recent years. Last season, saw a strong run of just two defeats in Everton’s last 24 league games, suggesting that had key players been fit for the first half of the season, they would have finished much higher up the table. But with the lack of a recognised goalscorer and fragility among the club’s key players, it looks as though Everton will take a small step backwards this year.
Prediction: Ninth
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