Top of David Moyes's list for Father Christmas is a striker who can score. Seventeen Premier League games in, his two front men Beto and Thierno Barry have just one goal each. It makes the fact Everton are 10th and five points off fifth more remarkable as they have clocked up that tally without a firing strikeforce.
Top of David Moyes's list for Father Christmas is a striker who can score. Seventeen Premier League games in, his two front men Beto and Thierno Barry have just one goal each.
It makes the fact Everton are 10th and five points off fifth more remarkable as they have clocked up that tally without a firing strikeforce.
It is largely down to some clever summer signings in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish, who have helped transform the midfield. Some questioned how effective Iliman N'Diaye would be moved out to the right wing, but the Senegal star has proved he is world-class anywhere he plays with some standout performances.
Everton and the right-back position is now an age-old discussion and if there is one at the North Pole workshop then the manager would be delighted to find it under his tree.
The Jake O'Brien experiment that worked well towards the end of last season has failed to sparkle and James Garner remains the club's best full-back despite being a midfielder.
Among the positives this campaign have been the new home of Hill Dickinson Stadium. It is already providing some fierce atmospheres and the crowd played a big part in the comeback win over Crystal Palace in October. The Toffee doughnuts have also gone down a storm. If you've visited you will know they are worth having blue teeth for!
So as David Moyes probably leaves one out for Father Christmas on 24 December, his wish will be to find a striker worthy of the number nine shirt that has been worn by the likes of Dixie Dean, Graeme Sharp, Kevin Campbell and Duncan Ferguson. If Everton can get that fixed then the European charge could well be on in 2026.
Category: General Sports
