After a long, and perhaps painful, international break for Premier League fans, the English top-flight is back again this weekend.
For Everton, that means their toughest fixture so far this term as they head to the Etihad Stadium to take on league leaders Manchester City.
Toffees boss, Ronald Koeman – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.
Here are SHOOT‘s three key things to look out for…
Can Everton’s new partnership withstand City
Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.
After John Stones left for Manchester City this summer, there was a void that Koeman needed to fill.
He needed to find a new centre-back partner for the experienced Phil Jagielka in order to establish a consistency in the back four that has long been missing. The man brought in was Ashley Williams and the Welshman has, so far, been impressive.
The Toffees have mustered four clean sheets in seven so far this season and their new defensive stability, led by Jagielka and Williams, has won over plaudits.
However, quite how strong the communication and tactical awareness really is will become apparent when Everton face a City side firing on all cylinders. The way in which Pep Guardiola’s forwards can change defence into attack in a matter of seconds can put even the best sides on the back foot all of a sudden.
The likes of Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne have all made headlines recently for their superb form. Everton’s duo have been impressive this year, but quite how stable or unstable they are will be exposed this weekend.
The reuniting of Ronald Koeman and Pep Guardiola
Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.
Nowadays it is never just the players who make the headlines before and after matches, but the managers too.
That is certainly set to be the case this weekend as Ronald Koeman and Pep Guardiola have a history together. However, unlike with Pep’s noisy neighbour across the road, this relationship is amicable.
Koeman took Guardiola under his wing when the latter arrived at FC Barcelona. The Everton boss was an experienced player at the time and Guardiola was an up and coming youngster, there is an eight-year difference between the two.
The Dutchman reminisced this week how he taught him about “one-touch football, about positional play and one touch in small spaces”, which sounds very familiar to the Citizens’ style of play now!
Anthony Hayes
Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.
This weekend’s clash is also significant away from the pitch. A social media campaign has started, urging both Manchester City fans and Everton fans alike to uphold a 60-second applause in the 26th minute for Anthony Hayes.
Hayes was a goalkeeper and captain of the Heaton Mersey Lacrosse Club’s first-team and even played for England.
The youngster, who is an avid City fan, died suddenly after playing football with his mates last month. Look out for the two clubs coming together on Saturday to mark such a tragic situation.