Sir McGiven

That's where I have my concerns as well. Also agreed with @Aidan's concerns, the team is not up to pace in general and it is a hard task to ask them to pressure City's defenders on their half, I know, especially there is a derby match in the following week. It would have been great to see Everton resist in that way. What I've shared still can be modified even though not all of the aspects are possible to do, I mean, at least trying to lock-up their wingers and key midfielders with tight marking. Everton's wings can handle this, both fullbacks and forward wingers. Cenk can be asked to try to cut their passing lines between CB's and their midfielders without getting into direct contact. If he can move smartly without running like a headless chicken and be a threat on the CB-Mid passing lines, it will force them to look to pass the ball to the full backs or long ball to wingers. What they do, when they are setting up their attack by the defense, is like; GK passes the ball to CB (Otamendi most likely) and they play it to their wingers while an MC coming close to get the ball then 1-2 or a triangle to let any of them run forward freely and eliminate a defender to outnumber the opponent up front. If they don't see any resistance on their half, then CBs are running with the ball through the mid lane which really dangerous as you are letting CBs into the play on their attacking turn. Another thing what Everton needs to be careful is De Bruyne. He is definitely will be the most dangerous man on the pitch. He is a decent winger and also an excellent central midfielder. Pep knows it for sure and using it really good. De Bruyne can switch positions with wingers to let them (Sterling - Sane for example) run with the ball to create a threat with Agüero. There is only one more person that can do this in their squad, Silva. Winger-Central Midfielder. Wen they both on the pitch, dear lord, show mercy... This is something that Klopp doesn't have. Similar tactics, similar attacking sets but none of the Pool midfielders capable of running by the side. Man. City is effin' dominating the league right now, their game is also dominating and they have multiple threats on their attacking sets. In my opinion, if you try to defense flawlessly, there will be no chance to get a point as they will find a lot of chances because Everton center backs can do a mistake in any minute or the midfielders. A wrong pass from Gana or a mistake when marking Agüero, being out of position for any reason, will cause a serious problem and crack the wall. It would have worked in any minor league in Europe but I don't think it is an efficient solution for EPL. Still not saying that it is out of consideration, it could work but as it happened against Arsenal, if they score an early goal, there will be no chance to reverse it.

First of all, defensive formation lets City (or Pool after that) destroy Everton. Tactic should be designed around 4-3-3 IMO. But let's talk about City without being off-topic... City's formation is 4-3-3 almost in every event. Explosive striker, Agüero is upfront and he is being supported by magnificent wingers around him also, one of the best midfielders De Bruyne - Silva/Gundogan in the league. On the other hand, while they are defending, their formation sometimes turning into 4-4-2. They love to build up their play from the defense which includes their goalkeeper as Pep known for his admire for the goalkeepers with decent kicking/passing the ball abilities. So the first thing that needs to be done, pressing City's defenders and force them to use long balls as Liverpool was successfully doing that to them. Mark them tightly, press up front, cut their pass roots as they will be looking to pass the ball to the supportive midfield who will be De Bruyne, Silva/Gundogan. As I mentioned, Liverpool did it and forced City to use long balls more than they've ever done and caused mistakes, lost balls etc. The handicap here is Everton doesn't have any all-around midfielders. Gana can be good defensively but lack of attacking skills. Rooney is good when he is attacking. Davies, I'm not sure if he can handle this game, to be honest, and he was looking tired last week. They closing-down starting from their forward line, tireless attackers and midfielders are their advantages. However, it can be surpassed by using long balls and Rooney can be efficient. Walcott, Bolasie, and Cenk can get decent scoring chances. Key markings should be on Agüero, De Bruyne and Silva/Gundogan, rest is manageable. Their set-pieces are also dangerous because of De Bruyne's set-piece skills, in those cases, markings and man-sharing in the box should be thorough. Stoke City game is a good example of it. Half-assed man marking in the box caused a conceded goal. In conclusion; cut their pass lines, keep a close eye on their key players and pressure all the time. Let them feel you inhale and exhale on their back. Use your lungs, run m...f... run but also use your brain! Try long balls to surpass their oppressive pressure and try to get a lucky shot in the box or outside the box. Or there is another way, Set your formation to 5 - 4 - 1 and pray to concede less than you imagine. Defending blindly is stupid as Fat tried it against Arsenal but defending smart is a good weapon against a stronger side than you.

Assasin's Creed was pretty bad. His acting is good tho. Tarantino for a Bond movie? You should be blood-thirsty mate He was classy af and was looking good as an Agent in U.N.C.L.E. I think he fits better than any other candidates.

So, he gave an interview to one of the biggest and oldest newspapers (Milliyet) in Turkey. Let me try to translate the relevant parts of it; P. S. Please excuse typos and grammar mistakes if there are any. P. S. #2 Oh I've missed some parts at the end. Below;

Rooney was better than anyone else IMO but my vote goes to my fellow Turkish lad Cenk, just to celebrate his first more than 1 goal scored game.

A good away win to take home even though Everton was pretty bad. Good game for Cenk on the second half (still think that foul which turned into a conceded goal was pretty stupid) and great double salvo. Rooney was good in general.

Stupid foul there by Cenk, gosh.

Poor half-time for Everton. Stoke: 5 shots (2 on target) Everton: 2 shots (0 on target) ***** Stoke: 10 headers won Everton: 2 headers won ***** Everton only trying to play from the right wing and it gives Stoke the option to cover that wing easily. On the other hand, they are playing mostly on the left wing but at least they were producing more than Everton. (based on heat map) Pass successes are equal (%77) for both teams however we've seen a lot of easy, inaccurate passes on Everton side. ***** Expecting 2 upfront by calling Davies out and getting Niasse in or keeping the same formation and subbing Cenk and Davies, getting Niasse and Klaasen in. DCL for Bolasie is also likely.

it should be yellow IMO, I don't think it was intentional but hopefully, it'll be a wake-up call for the team. They were terrible so far. Bad passes, bad first touches...

that was a clear penalty as the guy's arm was wide open and didn't even try to hide it as far as I see on replay.

Definitely bad start from Cenk...

f... it was a poor marking by Stoke defenders, Davies should have buried it.

i don't know if sharing links approved mate, forgive me if it is not allowed, if it is not allowed admins can delete it then. but you may try this:

Well, understandable line-up. I mean Gana has both haters and supporters but as he was consistent in Sam's mind, that makes this line-up understandable. I could criticize this as being defensive again if it wasn't an away game and Siggy wasn't injured but I have nothing to say now. Bolasie deserved a chance this game with his performance last week. Good to see Cenk, Walcott, Coleman, and Baines together as well. How long will Siggy be out by the way?

he is kinda prone to injury. according to the records, he was injured for 651 days in his career and his last 3 injuries were worrying ones. 59 days - 45 days and 56 days, each one. means, whatever he has, getting worse... as long as he is healthy, he can be a good addition but around same prices, I think Everton can easily find someone else who is less prone to injury. I do not say he is a shit player but you know, you want to see your team ready to serve on the pitch.

You know I used to play Championship Manager while I was younger in 90's, one of the very early games of Championship Manager series. I think I was 10, 11 years old. Back in that time, my mind was working like "Sign any player who scores against you, so they can score for you as well." It didn't work out of course and I was looking at the screen with around 10 strikers in my squad, ha! Those statements of Fat's and your comment on it reminded me that. Good old days.

As far as I read now on a Turkish newspaper's website, he is suspended by Sky and probably he will be sacked soon. No matter who is he, it could have been another footballer, it is an irresponsible act. I mean, cmon mate, you are a footballer and probably were listening to opponent supporters' fantasies about your mom or any other bad words in your whole career. It cannot be explained as a "lost rag". Such a llama...

He is capable to perform better while he is playing as AMC. Shame for the fat wood log who forces him to play as an AML.

My vote goes for Baines. very good performance defensively and supporting the attacking moves. he was the best performer today. I could have voted for Bolasie for his unexpectedly good performance as well

It was great to see Baines is back and made an impact out there. Bolasie was pretty good actually today and when your wings are working like this, you'll get chances to score. Everton played good today and I am happy to see that Cenk scored a good goal but something bugged me during the game. Those back passes from the midfielders to the defenders while frontline getting into their positions for a possible move. I've seen a lot of nonsense back passes. Good game, good win.

Not quite sure how Baines will perform after his recovery after a long-term injury but still excited to see Coleman and Baines as Wing Backs as they can support attacks better and faster than the other options in the squad. It can help Walcott and Cenk and reduce their workload on the pitch and they can focus on what is expected of them. We'll see about Bolasie as well. If he can accommodate with the rest of the team, I expect an easy win. P.S. In the framework of this post, "unexpected" Keane or Jagielka mistakes are not calculated.

S.O.S on the left wing / left back

Fotomac (source of the news according to the website) is not a reliable newspaper in Turkey. Some of their well-known news are as below; - Ibrahimovic to Galatasaray - Galatasaray making move for Alex Ferguson (haha!) - Galatasaray offered 80m $ for Zidane and Zidane is up for a new challenge at Galatasaray. (While he was in top form at Real Madrid) - Fenerbahce bid for Pepe (while he was at his best for Real Madrid) - Van Nistelrooy to Galatasaray - Henry to Fenerbahce - Raul to Galatasaray - Buffon to Galatasaray I wouldn't take any newspaper or website where Fotomac named as a source if I were you, even though Fat Sam involved in it.

so the 7th is enough for being qualified for at least European Cup in EPL? Is it what Sam currently aiming for? Not trying to make a joke or something really, i have no idea how many teams are going to be eligible this season from EPL.