<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Baines-Coleman.jpg"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-116789 alignnone" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/2014/09/Baines-Coleman-600x360-600x360.webp" alt="Baines Coleman" width="600" height="360" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure></div></a>
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/08/31/roberto-martinez-comments-attempt-to-mask-evertons-failure-to-psych-out-diego-costa/">Diego Costa</a> insouciantly rounded Tim Howard and slotted Chelsea’s sixth goal of the game at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/09/17/everton-put-wheels-in-motion-ahead-of-stadium-move/">Goodison Park</a>; the moment it became abundantly and indisputably clear Everton had pertinent concerns.
Some worries had emerged a week previous when the Toffees let a two-goal lead slip against Arsenal in the dying embers of an otherwise dominant performance. And before that, another good showing yielded just one point, as Leicester fought back to draw on the opening day.
But it was the 6-3 hammering at the hands of Jose Mourinho’s men that brought things into stark focus for a host of Evertonians; this is a team that was struggling.
Everton had the third best defensive record in the Premier League last season, but the coveted cohesiveness that was a hallmark of the club achieving their record points tally in the top flight had inexplicably disintegrated.
Players like Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka and Tim Howard looked to have aged overnight, and as the goals flew past the American stopper during the early stages of the season—ten in the first three games—naturally, some big questions were asked about the first-team credentials of these long indispensable senior figures.
But with the aura of a man that’s seldom flustered, Roberto Martinez declared that he’d stick with the club’s defensive options, resisting the urge to make a late foray into the transfer market for a centre-back. And he was duly rewarded with a performance of diligence at West Brom in Week 4, where the Toffees picked up their first three points of the campaign courtesy of a 2-0 win.
That victory was critical and getting one in the win column lifted some of the gloom that had festered around L4. And after European Football returned to Goodison Park and Wolfsburg were subsequently swatted aside with gumption, Everton are beginning to look a lot more like Everton again.
The forwards are performing with a swagger and a penetrative edge—as they have done all season—and that’s without £28 million man Romelu Lukaku finding his best form yet, either.
In midfield, the duo of James McCarthy and Gareth Barry are perpetually purposeful, affording the effervescent attacking players insurance with their understated influence.
At the back, John Stones has been drafted in and, just as the 20-year-old did throughout his spell in the side last season, looked marvellous. Howard also looks to have rediscovered his mojo, producing some excellent stops in his last two outings.
Martinez’s men are beginning to accrue some vital momentum, and it’s imperative it’s preserved with some monumental challenges ahead. Indeed, beginning on 23 September Toffees will have to negotiate four away games against Swansea, Liverpool, Krasnodar and Manchester United in the space of 13 days.
It’s those kinds of spells that’ll allow us to assemble a clearer perspective on what this team can achieve this season. The Catalan boss has assembled a squad that’s bristling with quality, but the influx of European commitments—a competition Martinez looks to be taking very seriously—could push it to breaking point.
Ultimately, how astutely the manager rotates his squad and how well those players adapt&nbsp;will not only determine how well Everton will fare for the upcoming spell, but perhaps for the season as a whole too.
Best XI
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Best Performer – Steven Naismith
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Much maligned during his first season under David Moyes, Naismith looks a player reborn under the tutelage of Martinez. With Ross Barkley out of the picture with a long-term injury, the Scottish international has assumed a role playing off the centre-forward, and he’s performed superbly.
Naismith is quickly becoming a critical figure in this Everton set up, and he’s a player that possesses understated intelligence on the ball, wonderful movement off it and a cool head in front of goal.
Once a scapegoat and even a figure of ridicule in some quarters, Naismith’s recent performances have not gone unnoticed by the Goodison Park faithful, and he’s quickly becoming one of the most popular players in the Everton squad.
Injury News
Barkley is expected to be back in the picture before November and his return will bring an raw&nbsp;edge to an already impressive array of attacking talent for the Toffees.
Bryan Oviedo and Arouna Kone are also close to a return after lengthy layoffs, with both players featuring in various behind-closed-doors games at Finch Farm.
Verdict
The torturously slow start to the season and the points that were relinquished could ultimately cost the Toffees in the race for those coveted Champions League spots. But with players beginning to find their feet and fitness, Evertonians have a lot to look forward to as the big games come thick and fast.
Three stars out of five is a fair reflection of the club’s start to the campaign, but how Everton fare in the coming weeks will make for some undeniably&nbsp;intriguing viewing.

Everton's August-September Progress Report

Everton's August-September Progress Report - World Soccer Talk

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José Mourinho’s Chelsea travel to Merseyside to face Roberto Martinez’s Everton in Saturday’s English Premier League marquee matchup. &nbsp;Everton finished the 2013-14 season in fifth place, just two places behind Chelsea. &nbsp;Sharing the points from these fixtures last season, the Toffees defeated Chelsea at home, yet lost to the Blues when they travelled to Stamford Bridge. &nbsp;Both fixtures ended 1-0 featuring some cagey, end-to-end action and we can expect tomorrow’s contest to be quite similar.
Despite strengthening their respective sides in the offseason, Chelsea have arguably done the better business by signing Spaniards Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, among others. &nbsp;Everton have signed former Chelsea loanee Romelu Lukaku and former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o to bolster their strikeforce, and this could end up being a reunion of sorts for the frontmen. &nbsp;Fernando Torres has sealed a loan move to AC Milan on a two-year deal, which sees the underperforming striker finally making his way out of London. &nbsp;As such, Chelsea are rumoured to be chasing the signature of AS Roma’s Mattia Destro and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/08/29/chelsea-trigger-loic-remys-8-5m-buy-out-clause-from-qpr-say-reports/">QPR’s Loic Remy</a>. &nbsp;Still, no new striker will be joining the Blues between now and kickoff, so Mourinho will have to settle for Diego Costa and Didier Drogba.
Having never actually earned his place at Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku will be playing with a point to prove. &nbsp;The big Belgian spent the last two seasons on loan from Chelsea at West Bromwich Albion and Everton, respectively, yet still couldn’t manage to convince Mourinho he deserved a spot in the Blues’ squad. &nbsp;However, as Everton’s record signing and new No. 10, it appears that has certainly proven his worth to his new manager and the Everton faithful. &nbsp;Unfortunately, the Belgian suffered a toe injury in the match against Arsenal, and it is not certain that he will be in Martinez’s first team.
Eto’o, who last season was jokingly dubbed as an “old man” by Mourinho, will likely want to feature if he can be fit in time for team selections. &nbsp;The Cameroonian scored nine league goals for Chelsea, all at Stamford Bridge. &nbsp;Even if he does not feature, Martinez has other forwards upon whom he can rely. &nbsp;Steven Naismith performed admirably against Arsenal in the Toffees’ 2-2 draw with the Gunners last week, and will probably be picked ahead of Eto’o. &nbsp;<a href="worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/08/23/everton-vs-arsenal-player-ratings/">Everton</a> lined up in a 4-2-3-1 last week when they faced Arsenal, and it would not be surprising if the same team and formation are fielded again. &nbsp;Unfortunately for Martinez, he will not be able to call upon Christian Atsu, the Ghanaian winger who joined Everton on loan from Chelsea just two weeks ago.
Everton’s worries lie with injuries to key players, as Steven Pienaar, Bryan Oviedo and starlet Ross Barkley are all unable to feature for the Toffees. &nbsp;Aiden McGeady will most likely be filling in for the injured Steven Pienaar, who came off after just 10 minutes in the Toffees’ clash with Arsenal. &nbsp;Arouna Kone and Darren Gibson are both still struggling to regain match fitness after lengthy spells away from first-team action. &nbsp;Lukaku’s toe injury will be assessed pre-match and the decision to play him or not will likely come not long before kickoff.
Chelsea’s injury woes center around new signing Diego Costa, who was said to have injured a hamstring in training this week. André Schürrle also picked up a knock in his last match, so it’s possible Willian will make his first start of the season. &nbsp;Reports from Friday afternoon have reassured Blues fans, as Costa’s injury was deemed minor and it is likely he will feature, regardless.
Chelsea will be looking to maintain their perfect start to the season, while Everton will be looking to earn their first victory. &nbsp;In recent seasons, Everton and Chelsea have shared the victories in this fixture, and despite many an analyst tipping Chelsea to be one of the favorites for the title this year, Everton’s performance against Arsenal has proven that they are not to be taken lightly. &nbsp;However, with so many key injuries, and facing Chelsea’s strength in depth, it will be difficult for the Toffees to pull off a home win against the Blues.
EVERTON
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CHELSEA
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Everton vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups

Everton vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups - World Soccer Talk

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Everton's August-September Progress Report

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Everton vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups