After two consecutive defeats Everton returned to winning ways with a solid and deserved two nil win over Norwich City yesterday afternoon.
This was far from the best performance that we’ve seen from Everton this season but the most important thing was to win and that’s exactly what they did.
The Toffees were again as expected missing both Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin as well as captain Seamus Coleman.
In fact injuries have struck to such extent once more that two young youth products Ellis Simms and Lewis Dobbin were Rafa Benitez’s only forward options on the bench. This highlights yet again the lack of enough quality and depth to the first-team squad.
Alex Iwobi and Salomon Rondon retained their starting places and in fact Iwobi was decent enough early and linking up with Andros Townsend in particular.
Townsend had several good chances in the first half and forced one save but in truth the Blues weren’t really that threatening in the first half hour or so, although neither were the Canaries, and the game was lacking in goalmouth action.
Then came the key moment as Allan burst forward and got into the box only to be tripped by Norwich defender Ozan Kabak and the penalty was eventually awarded.
Who would take the spot kick with both the club’s main strikers unavailable? Up stepped Townsend who cooly slotted the ball past the Norwich keeper for 1-0.
This is the ex-Crystal Palace forward’s fourth goal since joining Everton and the 30-year-old is enjoying a terrific renaissance at Goodison Park.
Alongside him his fellow summer signing Demarai Gray has been a revelation and he was once again a serious threat throughout the match using his pace and excellent running to probe the opposition. As I’ve said before what a fantastic couple of signings these two have been.
To their credit the Canaries kept working and their heads didn’t drop despite going behind and facing a fifth successive Premier League defeat.
They kept going in the second half and forced several saves from the returning Jordan Pickford. There was also a moment when the England keeper appeared to be hurt but fortunately he stayed on the pitch and saw out the game.
So with the away team still in the game, it always looked as though, as so often is the case, that the Toffees needed a second goal to settle the match.
Eventually, they got it as Abdoulaye Doucoure who had another fine match, advanced forward to take a fine pass and fire the ball into the opposite bottom corner of the net.
Everton comfortably saw out the rest of the game and had secured a much-needed win, another three points and a clean sheet for the first time at home this season.
Now the Blues face a tough examination away at Manchester United next weekend before another international break.
