Everton have endured a difficult start to their 2023/24 Premier League campaign. However, the Toffees won two away games in the space of five days. Could this be the spark to an uplift in form?
Everton produced a fine display to beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday (Image Credit: Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)
Disappointing start to the season
Before the Brentford game, Everton manager Sean Dyche was under huge amounts of pressure, with plenty of fans calling for the experienced English coach to be sacked.
The Toffees had some strong performances against Fulham and Wolves. However, they would go on to lose both games narrowly, missing plenty of big chances.
The Merseyside club would also have some extremely disappointing performances. Losses against Aston Villa and Arsenal saw the team looking as though they had no structure, leading to fans losing their patience with Dyche.
However, despite having a limited budget, the recruitment from Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell in the summer transfer window has been excellent. He has managed to bring in players to make the squad more complete, having plenty of players in each position.
Two wins in five days
Everton went to Brentford without a Premier League win for the 2023/24 campaign. However, that would change with a fine 3-1 victory over the Bees.
The Toffees showed a more composed display away from home after their disappointing performance against Arsenal where they could not string three passes together.
Goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure, James Tarkowski and Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned themselves their first win of the season, hoping to build on the momentum.
The momentum would continue with a 2-1 victory against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup. The Toffees had already played Villa this season, losing 4-0 in the league with a disappointing performance.
However, Dyche switched to a 3-4-3, which worked out really well, pressing Villa and putting them on the back foot. Goals from James Garner and Dominic Calvert-Lewin was enough to see them through to the next round of the cup, where they will play Burnley at Goodison Park.
Home form still an issue
However, Everton's home form woes would continue with a 2-1 defeat to Luton Town today. Luton had not won a single game since being back up in the top flight, but things would change as the Hatters would earn a 2-1 win over the Toffees at Goodison Park.
The blue side of Merseyside has now lost four on the bounce at their home ground, which was considered as a fortress in the past. Players described Goodison Park as the 'toughest' place to go away from home.
Fans are still losing patience as Everton had the chance to continue their two fine performances away from home with a win at home against a struggling opposition.
The Toffees have another home fixture against Bournemouth, which could be a vital fixture as to whether the fan believe in Dyche as a manager, proving if he can get his team's consistency together and get results at home as well as away from home.
Nathan Hartley
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