Paul Merson makes Everton relegation claim in Brighton prediction
Paul Merson has backed Everton to save themselves from relegation under the management of David Moyes.
The returning manager got his first win against Tottenham on Sunday (19 January) as the Toffees looked like a new side and were deserving of the three points.
The Blues travel to Brighton as Moyes will be looking to get some more points on the board to lift his side up the table.
However, while he backs them to stay in the top flight, Merson feels Everton won’t be so lucky at the Amex as he wrote for Sportskeeda (23 January): “Everton had a good result against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. In a month’s time, it would have been a completely different game with Spurs welcoming their injured players back into the team. But football is all about timing and this was Everton’s time to take advantage of the missing pieces at Tottenham.
“It may have been the perfect time for Everton to play Spurs, but what on earth was Ange Postecoglou thinking when he decided to go with three at the back? Everton are not the best attack in the league, why would you do something like that? That decision played into Everton’s hands in my opinion and credit to them for taking full advantage.
“Brighton are starting to click now. They played well against Manchester United and got the win like I expected them to. I think they will follow that up with a strong reality check for Everton here!
“David Moyes still has a lot of work to do if Everton need to stay up, but they won’t be needing a lot of wins considering the teams around them in the relegation battle. Wolves were atrocious the other day and I have a feeling Everton will be safe, but they must not get carried away. Prediction 3-0.”
David Moyes to turn things around at Everton
While Spurs are light on key players, Merson’s analysis of the game is a bit unfair as he frames it more as a Tottenham loss than an Everton victory.
The Toffees showed a confidence that has rarely been seen at Goodison Park this term and the players looked much more assured.
Therefore, if they can take these levels forward then, as Merson says, you can certainly see them remaining a top-flight club as they prepare to move into their new stadium after the end of the campaign.
That being said, the game against Brighton away from home will be a tough one, especially as their opponents have started to find form again of late.
While the pundit may get it right in terms of the result, it would be surprising to see the Blues concede three goals as they have been fairly solid defensively throughout the season so far.
Although the new boss is putting his own stamp on things, it would be a surprise to see them abandon the hard work they have been doing all season at the back of the pitch.
In other Everton news, the latest Met Office weather update ahead of the contest with Brighton.
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