Gabby Agbonlahor predicts Everton to ‘make a statement’ in Premier League clash v Burnley
Gabby Agbonlahor has predicted Everton to walk away with all three points from their Premier League visit to Burnley with a statement 2-0 win on Saturday 16 December.
The former Aston Villa striker insisted Sean Dyche will want to prove himself and his style of play against his former club who have undergone a transition since he left.
The comparison between Vincent Kompany’s possession-hungry play and Dyche’s pragmatic but effective football should prove an interesting focus as Everton look to keep their good form going.
Speaking in his Premier League predictions for talkSPORT, Agbonlahor assessed the two teams ahead of the clash, sharing: “Struggling Burnley play Everton.
“This one, I think, Everton will go to Burnley, Sean Dyche against his old club, he’ll want to make a statement of ‘You know what, maybe my football is still the right way to play. I want to go there and get a result.’
“I feel like Calvert-Lewin, McNeil, Harrison and Garner are in great form, I’m going to go with a 2-0 win to Everton.”
Dyche proving the stereotypes wrong
Since his time with Burnley, Dyche has often been pencilled in as an old-fashioned, route-one boss who wants his teams to sit back, lump the ball forwards, win their battles and earn their points through hard work and grit rather than pretty football.
However, his time and recent displays at Everton have shown he is much more than that. While his ideals may rest in hard work and attitude, the style of play is often progressive and patient when in possession, as Beto’s goal against Newcastle on 7 December proved.
So while, as Agbonlahor suggests, it may be a clash between the old and new styles as Burnley are concerned, it will be no example of the old pragmatic ways against the newer more expansive ways, as Dyche continues to prove he is much more than just that.
That being said, Burnley’s Premier League form in comparison to Everton’s should prove that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, even if the other side can play pretty passing football.
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