Goodison View: Everton must take advantage of Zaha struggles
Everton must take advantage of the poor goalscoring form of Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha when they host the Eagles on Monday night.
Goodison Park is set to play host to Everton’s clash with Crystal Palace on Monday as both club’s return to Premier League action following the recent international break.
Palace are almost certain to line-up with former Everton transfer target Zaha in attack, despite the fact that he has struggled in front of goal since the New Year.
Zaha began the season in fine form for Palace, scoring seven goals in nine Premier League games, however he has managed just a further two since then, with only one having come in 2021. [Transfermarkt]
The Ivory Coast international has faced a number of injury issues that have hampered his momentum throughout the campaign, and Everton should look to capitalise on his inconsistent performances.
Described as an “outstanding talent” by Martin Keown on talkSPORT in February, Zaha has often been pointed to as Palace’s standout star, with the 28-year old often running the show for the Eagles.
However, he has struggled to find that form in the latter half of the season, with stats from WyScout revealing that the forward has managed seven Premier League games without a shot on target since the New Year.
Further stats detail that only twice has Zaha managed above a 65% dribble success rate since the New Year, while the highest his expected goal figures have reached over the same period of time is 0.26.
Zaha has wreaked havoc in the Premier League on many an occasion, but Everton happen to be facing Palace at a time when the enigmatic talent is way off the boil.
Having lost their last three games in all competitions, Everton must take advantage of Zaha’s struggles by ensuring their backline is poised to deal with his threat, while Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be tasked with pinning the Eagles back.
Palace have scored just once in their last four games, proving that they don’t exactly have a capable deputy to step up when Zaha is struggling. As such this is the perfect time for Carlo Ancelotti’s side to claim a home victory, take three points and begin to build momentum again.
In other Everton news, Everton reportedly make move for 20y/o forward available for £8.5m.
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