Paul Merson right to be blown away by Everton reveal on Sky Sports, it’s a real problem – ‘ Wow’
Everton simply need to get back to winning ways against Sunderland, but the same issues could haunt them again.
Last time out in the Premier League, Everton lost 3-0 against Tottenham to make their first defeat at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton now play Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Monday, and David Moyes will be looking for things to change.
The Toffees have their strong points, but Paul Merson has been shocked by a reveal that highlights Everton’s biggest weakness under Moyes.
Paul Merson takes aim at Everton’s Thierno Barry and Beto
Everton have had their striker struggles for too long, as Beto continues to fail for the Toffees, and Thierno Barry looks unable to make the step up to Premier League football.
Thankfully for Moyes, Everton have strong players in Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish in attack, who have both been crucial so far this season.
| Games | Big chances missed | Goals scored |
| 9 | 13 | 9 |
On Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, Merson was shown a graphic that highlighted Everton scoring nine goals but accumulating an xG of 12.68.
Merson said: “Barry. That’s the problem. Simple as that. The three playing behind the strikers are as good as anyone on their day – Ndiaye, Grealish and [Kiernan] Dewsbury-Hall.
“The two upfront, I watched them against Man City and said at the time, if [Erling] Haaland was in the side and not Beto, Everton would have won.”
He was then shown a chances created stat where Grealish led the way with 19 open play chances prior to Saturday’s games, with Cody Gakpo sat in second with 17, and Bruno Fernandes third with 16.
Merson replied: “Look at that, wow.”
David Moyes may play Iliman Ndiaye up top vs Sunderland
Moyes has backed Beto’s workrate and still has belief in Barry to perform for Everton.
However, with results failing to go the way of the Toffees since the international break, Moyes could be forced to make a tactical change against Sunderland.
Ndiaye has played as a striker before for Everton and looked the part, as usual. Moyes may be tempted to play the attacker in an unnatural position against a strong Sunderland side.
The change could throw the Black Cats off, and if it works, then Moyes may have found his solution to Everton’s woes.
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