Richarlison sets the tempo, Everton smile against Chelsea

It had been a pretty tumultuous few days for the Toffees. One of their most inspirational managers last season, Marco Silva was sacked. The idea to appoint David Moyes as the next manager did not impress the fans and above all, Everton are at risk of getting into the relegation zone. Surely, after showing a lot of promise last season, Everton would not want to discover themselves at the rock bottom. What they needed against Frank Lampard's Chelsea was nothing but the right tempo to start with.

When the matter is about setting the right tempo, none could do better than the Brazilians. The game entered into 5 minutes and many of the spectators did not even manage to fix their focus into the game when Djibril Sidibé sent a high cross into the Chelsea box and Richarlison rose high in the air like Cristiano Ronaldo and powered a header low into the back of the net. Goodison Park erupted. Richarlison brought their smile back and Everton never looked behind since that strike from Richarlison.

The last time Everton scored under Marco Silva, also came from Richarlison and it was a reminiscence of Duncan Ferguson –scoring goals from high in the air or scripting a dive to pass the ball into the net had always been Ferguson’s specialty. They say, alongside Silva, Ferguson always had an influence on Richarlison’s growth in Goodison Park, but the Brazilian just possesses that extra-bit when the matter is about setting the right tempo.

It was his sixth goal of the season, still 7short of last, and the way he excelled since then, one can expect the well-built and lanky Brazilian to surpass his last season’s strikes. His tempo proved vital for the Toffees, who just got better and better as time progressed.    

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the tried and tested ragged-striker, who has always been chosen since 2016, for his grit, determination and aerial domination, rather than scoring goals, struck twice to write Chelsea off the game. Under Ferguson, ragged-strikers like Dominic are expected to flourish as Ferguson himself was such a product.

Frank Lampard was left pondering how to rediscover rhythm after he loses them. His young men do create moments of thrill-and-chill, but so far, they have not been producing satisfactory results consistently.  Four losses in their last nine games across all competitions is an uninspiring form. 

 Kepa Arrizabalaga is Lampard’s another headache. One cannot term him just average, but so far he has been outright atrocious. Conceding 3 goals from just 7 shots on target, is not good. Chelsea’s brilliant control over the ball always shielded Kepa, but with no Jorginho and Fikayo Tomori around, the control over the ball became lesser. Kepa faced the heat.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 07/12/2019 Richarlison sets the tempo, Everton smile against Chelsea

Lampard has a lot of work to do still.

But, an inspiring victory for the Toffees.

A much-needed one under adversity.