By Paul Conatzer
Twitter @Toffeepaul.com
Everything about Saturday’s Fulham vs Everton Premier League match says away win.
Everton are riding high with three straight wins, all against London teams. The Toffees have recorded three straight clean sheets (Chelsea 2-0, West Ham 0-2 and 1-0 against Arsenal.) Fulham have lost nine straight, including their last four home games.
However, Everton manager Marco Silva is circumspect when talking about his team’s chances of adding already-relegated Fulham to their list of victories against London teams.
Silva was quoted on the Official Site as saying Everton needed to maintain the same levels of desire, focus, and quality if they want to win at Craven Cottage.
“Our job, when you finish one match, is to think of the next.”
Fulham spent £100 million this summer and a number of observers expected them to remain in the top flight. However, Fulham have had all kinds of troubles at the back, allowing 76 goals in 33 games and costing two managers their jobs (Slavisa Jokanovic and Claudio Ranieri.) Scott Parker, who played more than 100 games for Fulham, is currently the caretaker manager.
Despite their terrible record, Silva is wary of Fulham.
“It is a big challenge for us. We are doing the right things, we are working well in training and making the right transfer to the match. Now, against Fulham, is the next moment to prove ourselves.”
Two of the reasons behind Everton’s performances is the play of loanees Kurt Zouma and Andre Gomes. Silva obviously wants to keep both players and he admits it is possible that permanent deals for both could be completed before the summer. The pair have said they are happy at Goodison Park.
“They are happy here and we are happy with them. It’s not in our hands. At the right moment, we will do something,” said Silva according to the quoted by the Daily Mail.
After being linked with PSG, in the January transfer window, tenacious midfield Idrissa Gana Gueye is now rumoured to be a target for Manchester United. Silva said that Everton’s improving performances will create transfer rumours about their players and he isn’t concerned.
What he is concerned about is Everton improving on last year’s eighth-place finish. The Blues finished with 49 points. A victory against Fulham would give the Blues 49 points with four games left to play.
Expect Everton to do just that and continue their fine run of form by beating hapless Fulham on Saturday.