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We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Everton must give a good account of themselves at Manchester City with a focus on the midfield vital, according to Kevin Campbell.
The Toffees head to the Etihad to take on 20-goal Erling Haaland and company off the back of a nightmare last-minute defeat to previously-bottom side Wolves on Boxing Day.
But BBC pundit Campbell isn’t willing to focus on the potential for a heavy defeat and wants to look at how Frank Lampard’s side can perform, however much it might be a daunting proposition.
He exclusively told Goodison News: “I don’t really look at it like a [potential] big defeat.
“I look at it that Everton are going to have to compete, that’s the name of the game.
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“They’ve played City a few times, some they’ve come unstuck, some they’ve done pretty well.
“The way things are I’d like to think that Everton could go there and give a good account of themselves.
“I’m not saying they’re going to win because it’s difficult to beat City at City, that’s for sure, but they’ve got to give a good account of themselves and be difficult to beat.
“You can’t leave the midfield wide open so the opposition can break on you because if they [City] break on you you’re in trouble.”
On recent form Everton are clearly going to be major underdogs traveling to the reigning champions, but a defeatist attitude heading in will get them nowhere.
They had done enough to win a scrappy game against Wolves and the manner of the loss was painful, but a reaction in performance, if not result, is crucial.
Lampard knows that the pressure is on and will no doubt look to keep things tight against the firepower of Pep Guardiola’s men on New Year’s Eve.