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Post by rugbytoffee on Oct 22, 2021 11:30:24 GMT
Officials Referee: Graham Scott Assistants: Marc Perry, Timothy Wood Fourth Official: Jonathan Moss VAR: Martin Atkinson Assistant VAR: Lee Betts
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Post by Everton News. on Oct 22, 2021 17:16:50 GMT
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Post by Everton News. on Oct 22, 2021 17:20:27 GMT
Rafa Benitez says Everton’s ability to add creativity to defensive resilience in the absence of key attackers points to a well-oiled unit – but is urging his side to convert their opportunities against Watford on Saturday.
There is not team in Europe’s traditional big-five leagues that has conceded fewer ‘big chances’ per game than Everton (2.6) this term.
Additionally, according to data released by the CIES Football Observatory, Everton rank fourth among sides in the top divisions in England, Italy, Germany, Spain and France for the ratio of big chances created to conceded.
Benitez was particularly satisfied with Everton's capacity to carve out scoring opportunities despite missing Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison for the past four league matches.
The carrot for taking those chances this weekend – and providing a quick-fire response to defeat by West Ham United last Sunday – is a climb into the Premier League’s top four at full-time.
“I am really pleased [with the statistics], it is a pity we lost the last game or it would be a little bit better,” said Benitez.
“You can see we don’t have the strikers who were here last year. But the team is creating chances and scoring goals and not conceding, so it is a great compliment for the way we are working as a team.
“The start has been good, if you consider the top scorers are not available and still the team is in a good position and fighting and creating chances.
“The other day [against West Ham] we had chances and maybe a draw would have been fairer and we would be in the top four but it is like that.
“I am confident we will do well now and at the end of the season, which is the most important thing, the last 10 games.”
Everton are creating six big chances – defined as ‘clear-cut chances to score a goal' – per Premier League match this term.
Only English champions Manchester City and Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, domestic title holders in Germany and France respectively, boast a better chances-created-to-conceded ratio in the leading five European leagues than Everton (2.33).
Indeed, only City across those divisions match Everton’s 2.6 chances-conceded.
Everton are braced for the absence of one of the key figures in compiling those impressive numbers.
The indefatigable Abdoulaye Doucoure is out for an unspecified period after suffering a stress response in a bone in his foot during the West Ham clash.
A blow, admits Everton manager Benitez, but by no means fatal, with players craving opportunities to impress.
Everton remain without Calvert-Lewin but Richarlison is in contention to return from the knee complaint that sidelined the Brazilian forward for six weeks.
“I agree Doucoure has a lot of energy,” said Benitez. “How can we replace him? With someone who has the same passion and motivation and, hopefully, the same energy.
“But the main thing is to be sure they will go on the pitch and try to do their best for the team and I am sure the player who will play in his position will do it.
“We have some issues but are bringing back some players, little by little, and, hopefully we have more coming soon.
“We will not see Dominic for four or five weeks, then we will see what is happening.
“It is difficult to accept and manage and we are trying to be sure we can improve every department and find solutions.
“We brought Cristian Fernandez as a rehabilitation coach [Fernandez’s appointment was confirmed on Monday] to be sure we can help the department with those kinds of things.”
Benitez will renew acquaintances on Saturday with Claudio Ranieri, appointed Watford boss this month.
The pair’s relationship stretches back further than a first competitive meeting in a La Liga fixture in November 1998.
Benitez visited Ranieri during the Italian’s Fiorentina reign between 1993-97 – a gesture Benitez reciprocated after beginning work in England.
“He always has energy and he loves football,” added Benitez.
“Claudio treated me really well [during Fiorentina visit] and we were friends since then.
“He is a very good professional and has passion… a very good manager and person and friend.”
Everton FC
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Post by Everton News. on Oct 23, 2021 10:59:23 GMT
Team News Update
Everton boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed Richarlison is fit and available for the Blues’ Premier League clash with Watford at Goodison Park on Saturday (3pm BST) – but Yerry Mina will miss the game with a minor hamstring problem.
Richarlison has been sidelined with a knee injury sustained in Everton’s 3-1 victory over Burnley on 13 September but returned to full training this week.
Benitez explained Mina “felt his hamstring” in a training session this week and is not in contention to feature against Watford.
It was revealed on Wednesday that Dominic Calvert-Lewin has suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from a quadriceps injury. Benitez said he expects the 24-year-old to be out for “four or five weeks” but did not want to put an exact timeframe on his recovery, adding: “It depends how he reacts to his treatment.”
Abdoulaye Doucoure is unavailable for Everton after suffering a stress response in a bone in his foot during Sunday’s match against West Ham United.
Andre Gomes also misses out as he continues his recovery from a calf issue. Fabian Delph returned to First-Team training this week but is unlikely to feature on Saturday.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Benitez said: “We have some issues but we are bringing, little by little, back some players. Hopefully we have more coming soon.
“Richarlison has been training, he has been okay. Obviously, the match fitness is an issue. But he is happy and he is available.
“Yerry Mina played three games for 90 minutes with the national team [during the recent international break], then when coming back he has to follow the Covid rules... He felt a little bit his hamstring in the training session the other day, so he will not be available [for Watford].”
On Calvert-Lewin's situation, Benitez explained: “Dominic has a problem we have to sort out. How long he will be out, we have to see.
“It depends on how he reacts to the treatment but we will not see him for four or five weeks, it could be.
“We will see later on what is going on, I don’t like to put a timeframe. I think it is important to see how he is improving and how he feels.
“We have brought in Cristian Fernandez in as Rehabilitation Fitness Coach to be sure we can help the department with these kind of things.
“We are trying to be sure we can improve every department."
Everton FC
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Post by Everton News. on Oct 23, 2021 11:05:58 GMT
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