Everton beat Chelsea 2-0 at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Everton grabbed a fine win on Sunday afternoon, beating Chelsea 2-0 at Goodison Park – but there may be a problem for Marco Silva.
After a dismal first half display, Everton were much improved in the second period, and took the lead when Richarlison turned home from close range when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header was saved.
The Toffees grabbed a second after Richarlison was fouled inside the area, with Gylfi Sigurdsson stepping up from the spot, and whilst Kepa Arrizabalaga saved his effort, Sigurdsson tapped in the rebound.
A home win and a clean sheet was pretty much perfect for Everton after their nightmare trip to Newcastle United, but Sigurdsson’s penalty is a reason to worry for boss Silva.
Normally reliable from set pieces and penalties, that’s now three penalties Sigurdson has failed to convert this season; he hit the crossbar against Fulham in September, had an effort saved against Watford in December and now against Chelsea.
One miss would be forgiven, two would be approaching a concern. Now at three, Sigurdsson’s struggles from the penalty spot should be a real worry for Silva, especially with no clear candidate to take over.
Leighton Baines was Everton’s chief penalty taker but isn’t a regular now. Wayne Rooney took them last season, with Sigurdsson taking over this term, but with little success. Lucas Digne and Richarlison would be two names suggested; Digne scored one penalty at Lille and takes most set pieces, whilst Richarlison is Everton’s most dangerous attacker.
That’s something for Silva to really think about during this international break, as Everton may not want to take another risk with Sigurdsson on spot kicks, especially when many could have predicted a failed attempt when he stepped up on Sunday as he didn’t exactly look confident.
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