No Darron Gibson or Antolin Alcaraz for our match as well: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-fcs-darron-gibson-miss-5698982
Pressure is actually going to be quite on Everton here, too - I can see them struggling this season. Though doubtless some Norwich fans will be expectant.
I honestly couldn't say how Everton are going to perform this season. If Martinez gets them playing his flowing football effectively, they could be dangerous. If the style ends up not suiting the squad, they could have a few problems.
I think Everton could have pulled off one of the best bits of business this summer by signing Gerard Deulofeu for the season. Hope it takes him a couple of games to settle in. HT: Norwich 1-0 Everton FT: Norwich 2-2 Everton First goal: Ryan Bennett Possession 46% Barclay
We've done OK in pre-season, lost a close game to Real Madrid 2-1 (& we had a perfectly good goal chalked off), beat Juventus in a shoot out after a 1-1 draw & then got taken apart by Valencia 2-0. We beat Real Betis 2-1 at Goodison last Sunday, but God knows how as we were shocking. We played some great football last season under Moyes & it's a total misnomer that our 'style' was somewhat agricultural, we were blinding at times, but were extremely wasteful in front of goal (the game at Goodison vs you lads being a case in point) Martinez is trying to improve our ball retention & he's getting us to play out from the back rather than play a ball into the channel. Which is all well & good until the opposition press your CB's & they give away possession in a position of massive danger. Betis did that to us on Sunday & Hughton was sat in the main stand........if he lines you up to press us hard & high up the pitch, then I fear the worst tbh. If you give us chances I'd fancy us to hit the back of the net, but my worry is our previously strong defence is going to be exposed by the 'style' that Martinez wants to adopt. I'd take a draw now.
Never done this before so thought I'd have ago at it so here goes City 1 - 1 Everton (HT 0-0) (hopefully the result will be better than the opening day last year, can't remember when we last won on the opening day) 1st Scorer: Snodgrass Match Possesion: 52% Goal Scored at River end
That was Thai's baby, perhaps it was a bit much to carry on, I certainly wouldn't be able to post and update tables!
