AFC Bournemouth vs Everton

, 27 November, 55comments  |  Jump to most recent
Match Preview

Could Tom Cleverley be an unexpected inclusion if Roberto Martinez decides to make a change?

Everton's quest to continue their unbeaten run and close the gap between themselves and the top four continues this weekend with the club's first ever trip to Dean Court for a League fixture.

The Toffees' last and only meeting with Bournemouth on the south coast was a little over 30 years ago when Howard Kendall's side completed a 5-2 aggregate win over the Cherries thanks to goals by Gary Lineker and Kevin Richardson in a 2-0 victory in the League Cup. A repeat of that result would hand Roberto Martinez his first victory on the road for almost two months.

Since beating West Bromwich Albion in thrilling fashion in late September, Everton have lost to Arsenal and, somewhat frustratingly, failed to beat an uninspiring West Ham away from home but with two emphatic home wins either side of that 1-1 draw at Upton Park, they will travel as favourites this weekend.

With no new injury concerns, Martinez suggested in his pre-match press conference that he will be choosing from the same squad as last weekend. Leighton Baines and Muhamed Besic both played a part in the Under-21s' defeat to Porto earlier in the week and are again in contention but are perhaps unlikely starters given their lack of match sharpness and the manager's desire not to rush them back.

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Tom Cleverley, an unused substitute against Aston Villa last weekend is in a similar situation but is arguably that much closer to selection so it would not be a surprise to see him in the team should the manager decide to make some away-game adjustments and change a winning side by perhaps sacrificing Arouna Kone for the England midfielder. That would be harsh on the Ivorian given how well he played last weekend but he showed against West Ham that he can be ineffective in matches away from Goodison Park.

Unless Martinez does decide to pitch Baines into his first start, it's hard to see any other areas of the team where would tinker. As the wins over Sunderland and Villa demonstrated, the team seems to be beneftting enormously from continuity so it would be risky mixing things up now. A shuffing of the pack is more likely in the Capital One Cup at the Riverside next Tuesday.

Bouremouth, meanwhile, have been dealt a cruel hand in their first season in the top flight, with injuries to key players like Max Gradel, Tyrone Mings, and leading goalscorer Callum Wilson hobbling their chances of staying up early on. What they lack in squad depth they make up for in spirit under manager Eddie Howe and they some of that appeared to return at Swansea last weekend when they earned a 2-2 draw.

That followed a run of four consecutive defeats, however, and the Cherries haven't win in the Premier League for seven games now, a run that includes back-to-back 5-1 hammerings at the hands of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur at Dean Court.

And it's that latter result or Newcastle United's recent win on Bournemouth's turf in which Everton's visit this weekend should be framed – with the kind of attacking talent that Martinez boasts and the form that the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Gerard Deulofeu and Ross Barkley are in right now, this is a game the Blues really must win.

Kick off: 3pm
Referee:
Kevin Friend
Predicted Line-up: Howard, Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Barry, McCarthy, Deulofeu, Barkley, Kone, Lukaku

Full coverage: ToffeeWeb Match Report



Reader Comments (55)

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Darryl Ritchie
1 Posted 27/11/2015 at 07:09:52
Should be able to handle them fairly easily. Would like to see both Baines and Cleverly get a bit of a run, even if only as second half substitutions.

As Lyndon has pointed out, Bournemouth have been decimated by injuries. One player that has impressed me though, is Matt Ritchie. (No relation, as far as I know.) If we're to keep a clean sheet, we'd better keep him in check. He's their danger man.

Abhishek Saha
2 Posted 27/11/2015 at 07:28:09
Sorry, Lyndon, you seemed to have missed Galloway in your predicted line-up, I am sure it was a typo.

Good match preview otherwise, COYB!

Paul Cherrington
3 Posted 27/11/2015 at 09:07:33
I'm looking forward to another good win here – shouldn’t have too many problems with them. More goals for Rom and Ross with Del supplying them and we should be fine.

The only black cloud on the horizon is if the manager starts tinkering for no reason – please RM leave the team as is from last game if possible.

Harold Matthews
4 Posted 27/11/2015 at 09:08:27
According to Martinez, this is a season where we go for everything. The board have allowed him to keep our much sought after young stars and will expect a good show in every game. So do I.

Our eventual best first team line-up is still under much debate. The present one suits me fine but I’m not sure it suits Martinez.

Down the right we are very solid with Stones, Coleman, McCarthy and Deulofeu. Down the left we have done very well with Funes Mori, Galloway, Barry and Kone but Martinez may prefer Jagielka, Baines. Barry and Cleverley. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Also, With Mirallas, Naismith, Lennon, Besic. Gibson, Oviedo and Osman all chomping on the bit, the man in charge will need to be tough, ruthless and wise. I sincerely hope our boss is up to the task. A win over Bournemouth would be nice for starters.

David Hallwood
5 Posted 27/11/2015 at 09:25:44
Great preview, Lyndon. I’m in agreement about Kone who was virtually anonymous vs the Hammers. My preference would be Mirallas who looked sharp when he came on against Villa and is suited to counter attack. And of course he’s got a goal in him.

Of course it’s stupid to talk about must-win games in November, but these are games we should be winning if we have any chance of a Champions League spot, and man for man, we’re better than Bournemouth. 2-0 for us which would mean a 2nd clean sheet. Orgasmic stuff.

Paul Mackie
6 Posted 27/11/2015 at 09:29:45
How do Bournemouth usually play? Are they likely to park the bus or give us a game?

If it's the latter then I'd give Mirallas a start and see where it takes us. If they're likely to try and frustrate us then I'd go with Kone. The interplay between Kone, Deulofeu, Lukaku and Barkley is starting to unlock teams.

Ray Roche
7 Posted 27/11/2015 at 09:48:53
Paul, I think Bournemouth have been true to their... er... philosophy, and continued to play attractive football, despite the results that their performances may not deserve. I would be very surprised if they were to park an original Fiat 500, never mind a bus. It may well allow us to play on the break which would suit us.
Dave Lynch
8 Posted 27/11/2015 at 09:53:54
I watched the Swansea game at the weekend and Bournemouth are woeful.

Even though they were 2 up, they should've been 4 down at the break. Only poor defending and bad finishing on Swansea's behalf saved them.

We should batter them in all truth... and if we go at them, we will win it at a canter.

Ray Roche
9 Posted 27/11/2015 at 10:28:03
Dave, I watched them outplay Newcastle and they should have won by a landslide but just couldn't score. Very entertaining, though. OK, I KNOW it was only Newcastle but...
John Malone
10 Posted 27/11/2015 at 10:29:57
It’ll will be hard to change a winning team but I would definitely like to see Mirallas get a good bit of game time if not for anything but his free kicks!

He looked really sharp and lively against Villa and I think he’s more suited to our away counter-attack style than Kone, who for me is better at home were the game is tighter and the opposition are sitting deeper!

Paul Commons
11 Posted 27/11/2015 at 10:44:03
From what we have seen of them on TV, Bournemouth are indeed woeful – particularly since losing the key players mentioned above.

Any manager who insists on playing attacking football at all costs is doomed when his team is fighting for survival in the Premier League and, for Howe, the outcome will be no different than it was for Holloway and Mowbry with other clubs before him.

Only an Everton win will be acceptable here if the Top Four dream is to be anymore than just that!

James Lauwervine
12 Posted 27/11/2015 at 10:45:26
If we’re to have a realistic chance of finishing in the top 4 we need to average two points a game over the season. To get back on track for that we need to win the next six games, which is quite doable given that they’re against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Norwich, Leicester, Newcastle and Stoke.

I’m being a little over-optimistic here I know but with a win over Middlesbrough too that would take us into 2016 with 38 points at the halfway stage and a semi-final to look forward to, plus the FA Cup. That would represent an excellent first half of the season and help ward off the inevitable attempts to pry away some of our exciting youngsters in January.

James Lauwervine
13 Posted 27/11/2015 at 10:55:19
I meant 'prise' of course. Anyway, one thing RM has showed clear evidence of from day one is the ability to keep the players he wants, which is encouraging.
Dave Lynch
14 Posted 27/11/2015 at 10:56:28
Agreed Ray, they did outplay the Barcodes but...They are the worst team I’ve seen this season and are destined for the drop under the dodgy quiffed one.

Trust me, if we play like we have been playing in the last 3 games we will batter them.

Oh! Hang on a minute, I forgot this is Everton, anything could (and probably will) happen.

Nitesh Kanchan
15 Posted 27/11/2015 at 11:35:33
As much as I want Bournemouth to stay up this season, I want us to trash them five-nil.
Rahman Talib
16 Posted 27/11/2015 at 11:51:09
I always thought our biggest loss was Mad Dog Gravesen.

If we had kept him, we would have won our CL qualifiers.

Kudos to RM for being able to keep our star players.

Boos to OFM for losing so many of our star players starting with Rooney, Marcus Bent, Mad Dog, Arteta, Rodwell, Beattie, Bily (for playing him out of position), Fellaini (cause he nicked him from us when he left us for Man Utd) and many more.

Keith Conchie
17 Posted 27/11/2015 at 12:13:42
This should be an easy 3 points the way Bournemouth are going at the moment. We need to start strong and fast to get an early lead, then we can hit them on the counter attack.

The way we're scoring at the moment, I would expect a high scoreline and hopefully a clean sheet. But as usual, you never know with Everton.

Just read we are the most lethal in front of goal with the highest shot to goal ratio in the Premier League.

Dave Lynch
18 Posted 27/11/2015 at 12:19:09
That's put the mockers on that then Keith...
Harold Matthews
19 Posted 27/11/2015 at 12:27:14
Terry Groves reckons it will be like watching exciting, open football at the Nou Camp.
John Hughes
21 Posted 27/11/2015 at 12:36:40
Whose Terry Groves?
Eddie Dunn
22 Posted 27/11/2015 at 12:40:54
Keith 14, Could that stat also suggest that we don't manage many shots on goal?
Matt Traynor
23 Posted 27/11/2015 at 13:08:26
John (#18), probably the brother of Perry Groves – he who had it on good authority that Stones to Chelsea was a done deal in the summer...

I would rather listen to Terry Groves to be honest.

Raymond Fox
24 Posted 27/11/2015 at 13:23:29
I don’t like all this "we should win easy" malarkey. It's an away game and, as such, there’s no such thing as a walkover!

On our best form, I agree we should be favourites, but I’ve backed a lot of odds-on losers in my time and a lot of certainties get beat because they are too complacent! They think that they only need to turn up to win.

What I’ve seen of Bournemouth, which has not been a lot, they have had a rough deal from the refs which has cost them a good number of points.

I agree though we should get points out of the game; on paper, we look to have more than enough fire power.

Keith Conchie
25 Posted 27/11/2015 at 13:41:15
Dave (#15), I hope I haven’t put the mockers on it mate, don’t want to be a jinx... haha.

Eddie (#19), I suppose you could look at it that way but our goals for is quite strong in the league. It’s our goals against which isn’t great. That will never change with Howard in goal.

We look really strong going forward, and to be scoring so many goals from open play is good to see. I would just like to see us get a few from set pieces as well. We will need these in certain games against tight defensive teams.

Peter Cummings
26 Posted 27/11/2015 at 13:48:19
On form and on paper this should be a three pointer for us but, as we all know, this is Everton and anything is possible. I also watched their game v Newcastle which was a travesty of a result so they won’t be doing us any favours if they play with the same attacking spirit.

If we win and see off ’Boro next week, our future prospects will look much brighter for a successful season, so a 3-0 scoreline tomorrow would be very nice.

Harold Matthews
27 Posted 27/11/2015 at 14:06:36
Okay. Perry it is and, of course, he mentions John Stones.
Aaron Underwood
29 Posted 27/11/2015 at 15:28:04
I'd like to see Mirallas given a go as well, although you could hardly blame Martinez if he sticks with a winning formula. I can’t see Cleverley getting a game on the left either. I think when Baines is fit we will see a lot more of Cleverley because RM will need his winger to track back because I'd argue Baines isn’t as defensive as Galloway.

Also I think Baines and Cleverley would link up well together, although myself I'd like to see him in the centre for when Barry eventually starts getting knackered.

I read a stat the other day that said how our "old and knackered" Barry as some of the fans have labelled him, ran 8 miles against Villa – more than anyone else on the pitch. I wonder how long he can keep that up for...

3 points is obviously what we're expecting here; it's difficult to imagine the Bournemouth defence being able to keep our front 4 quiet the way we're playing at the minute, but this is the Premier League after all.

I've always been a Martinez fan, maybe because I’m a little sentimental after watching our best season in years when he first arrived. I like the style of football he plays, I like his signings, and I like relationship he has with the club. But I must admit last season gave me doubt; please let the next 10 games be his chance to confirm that I was right to have faith in him.

COYB!!!!!!

Brian Harrison
30 Posted 27/11/2015 at 15:56:04
I can't think of any reason (if everybody is fit) why RM would even contemplate making any changes.

Since the introduction of Kone, he seems to take a lot of pressure off Lukaku. Yes, Mirallas played really well when he came on against Villa, and with that attitude he will be an asset should we need to make changes in the second half. For me, Gareth Barry is back to his best this season, and he controls the game for us.

I just hope that RM isn’t tempted to play Cleverley in a wide left or right position. For me he is a central midfield player and at the moment you couldn’t pick him ahead of Barry or McCarthy. No doubt, with injuries and the busy Xmas programme looming, he will get a chance to play.

Alan Bodell
31 Posted 27/11/2015 at 16:31:11
Folk on here talking about Tom Cleverley getting a game. I’m still convinced he is a squad player at best; he runs around a lot... but that seems to be it.

I hope he proves me wrong; over to you, Tom.

Ken Buckley
32 Posted 27/11/2015 at 16:31:33
Not to sure about dropping Kone. It may not come across on TV but there is a growing understanding between him Lukaku, Geri and Ross that is well worth persevering with.

The time to tinker is injury or loss of form. We have a strong bench.

UP THE BLUES

Duncan McDine
34 Posted 27/11/2015 at 17:48:59
I agree with Ken. If everyone is fit and healthy, we must name an unchanged starting 11. Gutted I didn't get a ticket for this one, but the allocation was predictably dinky... Think it sold out at ST with 5 or 6 away stubs! COYB
Chris Gould
35 Posted 27/11/2015 at 17:50:44
Aaron (#27), I think Barry is playing exceptionally well and has really stepped up to the plate with Jags out. He is leading the team magnificently.

However, how far a player runs means very little in comparison to how many high-intensity sprints they perform. Barry is always on the move, but it’s a steady jog. Other players may run 7.5 miles, but they put in dozens of high-intensity sprints. These stats are more indicative of effort and fitness than distance.

This isn’t criticism of Barry, nor am I knocking his workrate, which has been excellent.

Ian Jones
37 Posted 27/11/2015 at 18:02:19
Is Distin likely to be playing? I like to think our forwards would be able to get around him...
Denis Richardson
38 Posted 27/11/2015 at 18:16:18
This game should suit us hopefully as Bournemouth will ’go for it’ and we’ll be comfortable on the counter.

The side’s been playing relatively well so with no injuries or suspensions it’ll be harsh to drop anyone. I would stick with the same side and look to bring on the likes of Cleverley and maybe Baines to get some minutes in the second half. I would like to see Mirallas from the start but not sure who would be dropped.

Lucky for Martinez Jagielka is still out for a while as I think Funes Mori is doing a decent job.

Harold Matthews
39 Posted 27/11/2015 at 20:18:38
Yes Denis, Funes Mori has just picked up the Player of the Month award.
Tony Hill
40 Posted 27/11/2015 at 20:34:13
I also wonder if Barry as captain is making a difference? There seems to be a clarity and calmness about our play since he's taken over the role. May just be coincidence I suppose. He's certainly been a major bonus this season, I confess that I'd written him off.
Joe O'Brien
41 Posted 27/11/2015 at 21:24:09
Looking for 3pts tomor. We should be way too strong for them. With the games coming up we can win the next 7... is that asking too much? Totally do-able.

I’d start Kev tomorrow instead of Kone. He looked hungry last week when he came on. I know it might not be wise to tinker but he’s a great option to play. This is where man-[management comes into play, RM.

Paul Tran
42 Posted 27/11/2015 at 21:31:47
Same team for continuity, get the game won, then make changes if need be. These lads deserve to stay in the team. If we have any genuine top four aspirations, this needs to be a win.
Tom Bowers
43 Posted 27/11/2015 at 21:53:11
If ever there was a time for Everton to push on, it will be tomorrow’s game. They have been showing a lot more of late and should have beaten the Hammers also but Bournemouth are looking like a team lost in the Premier League and, although they show a lot of spirit, they shouldn’t be a problem.

Sometimes Everton can be their own worst enemies against teams at the bottom as the Sunderland game proved for the first half an hour; hopefully the return of Baines will help to get them in the driving seat early on.

Trevor Powell
44 Posted 27/11/2015 at 23:15:02
Just be wary with our luck Dan Gosling will score the winner!
Harold Matthews
45 Posted 27/11/2015 at 23:45:47
Could be cold, wet and windy. Never keen on these bad weather games.
Phil Sammon
46 Posted 27/11/2015 at 23:47:05
A lot of people seem very willing to sacrifice Kone for this fixture. Understandable, perhaps, as Mirallas has looked excellent in his brief cameo appearances. However, I don't think we should underestimate Kone's work rate, physical presence and also the sheer delight he and Rom seem to take in playing with each other.

Barkley was doing the right things last week, getting in the box and making things happen. Long may that continue for a lad who's talent I do not doubt. However, I think Martinez should also be looking to Mirallas in that spot in the event that Barkley slips back into the form that sees games pass him by.

Mirallas has been wonderful from the bench and has earned much more than 10 minutes here or there.

Looking forward to this one!

Tony Hill
47 Posted 28/11/2015 at 00:11:47
Do not change a winning team. Kone, as well as Barry, has been the excellent surprise of this season and it would be very disruptive and unfair to drop him. I’m delighted with Mirallas’s form as evidenced last week and I hope he stays.

Harold, yes, bad weather is a potential problem but they’re not a big, "lump it up" sort of team so it should still be an equal physical contest (if anything, we have the physical edge) and I expect us to win by two clear goals.

Charlie Burnett
48 Posted 28/11/2015 at 01:04:33
He isn’t gonna change nothing; he's gonna keep the same team as Villa... On Saturday:

Howard;
Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Galloway;
Barry, McCarthy;
Deulofeu, Barkley, Kone;
Lukaku.

On Tuesday:

Robles;
Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines;
Besic, McCarthy;
Deulofeu, Mirallas, Lennon;
Lukaku.

Still a winning team!

Sam Brennan
49 Posted 28/11/2015 at 02:48:41
You can't change a winning team! As long as we go for it, we will return with three points!
Nitesh Kanchan
50 Posted 28/11/2015 at 07:13:34
Let's hope we can wrap up the game by half-time just like Villa and rest some players and give likes of Naismith and Mirallas a run in the second half.

Mirallas and Gibson should start against Boro. I hope Mirallas looks like a hungry lion feasting for goals and prove himself to Martinez.

Frank Sheppard
52 Posted 28/11/2015 at 07:54:20
Potentially a perfect springboard to get our first consecutive 3 points of the season, and improve our away form, and shut up BBC comedy shirt wearer Lawrenson, who is predicting a home win!!!
Brian Porter
53 Posted 28/11/2015 at 08:23:34
Agree with the majority here that it would be foolish of Roberto to change a winning team, regardless of the opposition. We must win games like these if we want to be serious contenders for the European places.

I disagree with some recent comments that Jags should come straight back into the team when fit. Funes Mori has shown us just why he is in the Argentine team (ahead of players like Demichelis), and surely can’t just be dropped in an instant when the team is settled and playing so well. He could be the best signing RM has made.

Anyway, here’s to three points today.

Denis Richardson
54 Posted 28/11/2015 at 10:36:46
Odds on Distin to score?
Colin Glassar
55 Posted 28/11/2015 at 10:51:06
Agree with Charlie (#44). Play the same team that started against Villa and use the Middlesbrough game to reintroduce some of our returning stars. On paper, we should have enough to win both games.
Steavey Buckley
56 Posted 28/11/2015 at 11:58:44
It is important that all of Everton’s attacking players don’t have a day off like last time away from home when Everton last played West Ham in a game Everton should have won, because in their following game, West Ham were trounced 4-1 by Spurs.
Jay Harris
57 Posted 28/11/2015 at 12:26:33
An own goal I presume you mean Denis.
Tim Greeley
58 Posted 28/11/2015 at 13:03:38
Bournemouth, while admirably giving every team a go, is eternally doomed to Championship damnation and we need to be ruthless here. 3 points any way we can.

Charlie Burnett @44 has the pulse of it, Roberto won't tinker today, but I think we may see Nessi back in there somewhere for Boro on Tuesday.

Mike Galley
59 Posted 28/11/2015 at 13:58:27
Just watching gillette soccer Saturday as they review our game. The face on big nose when Paul Merson started waxing lyrical about our forward play last last week!
Colin Glassar
60 Posted 28/11/2015 at 14:45:01
Thommo and Lawro should be done for fraud Mike. Their dislike of everything Everton is embarrassing and childish, and they get paid a fortune for doing it!!

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