Goodison Analysis: Keane must step up defensive display v Man City
Everton are set to face Manchester City in their FA Cup quarter-final clash this afternoon and they’re likely to face a stern defensive test.
Pep Guardiola’s side are in terrific form and with the quadruple still on the cards they’re not likely to give up a place in the semi-finals easily.
After losing back-to-back Premier League games against Chelsea and Burnley, it will be up to Everton’s defensive unit to be compact against the league leaders if the club hope to secure progression into the next round.
Michael Keane is one specific defender who will be required to elevate his performance levels against Man City at Goodison Park.
According to stats gathered by WyScout, Keane managed just one defensive clearance in each game against both Chelsea and Burnley, while his defensive partner Ben Godfrey managed three and five respectively.
Keane’s clearance against Chelsea came in the form of a routine corner clearance, with the England international nodding clear upon Marcos Alonso’s delivery.
His clearance against Burnley was also routine, having calmly passed the ball clear after Chris Wood’s attempted ground cross fell right into Keane’s path.
Chelsea and Burnley averaged eight and six crosses respectively in their wins over the Toffees, which could be credited to strong defensive work from Everton’s full-backs, meaning that Keane may not have faced as much aerial pressure.
However he is unlikely to have that same luxury against Manchester City, with the league leaders managing much higher figures in their games against Wolves [26 crosses] and Manchester United [21 crosses] earlier this month.
In their most recent game against Fulham, City scored their opener through a set-piece delivery that fell kindly to John Stones, with their ball deliverers proving excellent at dropping a cross precisely where they need the ball to be.
Keane has shown time and time again this season that he has the defensive awareness and leadership capacity to marshal Everton’s backline, and the club will need him to come through on that front as they face arguably the most in-form team in Europe for a chance at silverware.
In other Everton news, talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino believes Everton will face a ‘really tough afternoon’ against City.