Klopp’s prediction about Everton signing comes true after Silva avoids unwanted record vs Watford

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After a tense affair at Goodison Park Watford and Everton share the spoils with 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Monday night.

Watford started the match brightly, but the Toffees soon asserted control after Richarlison fired clinically with just 15 minutes on the clock after Andre Gomes picked him out with an inch-perfect low pass, but the goal should have been ruled out for offside.

However, Watford came out with purpose and intent in the second half and scored two goals in quick succession, first through a Seamus Coleman own-goal, and then an Abdoulaye Doucoure header just two minutes later.

Gylfi Sigurdsson had the opportunity to peg the Hornets back after Kevin Friend pointed to the spot, but the Iceland international missed the subsequent penalty, though Lucas Digne snatched a point from the jaws of defeat in the dying embers after netting a brilliant free-kick.

And so, after a riveting affair on Merseyside what did we learn.

1. Richarlison and Silva: no love lost

All the talk prior to the match was centred on Richarlison and Marco Silva facing their former club, with Watford captain Troy Deeney even threatening to “smash” his ex-colleague this evening, but it was the former attacker who stung first.

And there was certainly no love lost as Richarlison struck a thunderous effort past Ben Foster in the Watford goal during the first-half, reeling away in jubilation, as the obligatory ‘non-celebration against a former club mantra’ seemed to evade him.

But one man who seemed to lose his cool even more than the Everton talisman was the usually reticent Silva, who absolutely lost control of his emotions when the Brazilian broke the deadlock. And having faced earlier abuse from the travelling Watford contingent, that would have felt sweet for the Portuguese.

By finding the back of the net Richarlison actually became the fourth player to score for and score against Watford, following in the footsteps of Ashley Young, Heidar Helguson and Daryl Janmaat, while this was also his eighth league goal of the season.

However, that jubilation would not last the full 90 minutes, as Watford fought back in dogged style, though Silva’s blushes were spared in the final few moments as Digne – hailed by Jurgen Klopp as the club’s new Leighton Baines – scored a free-kick reminiscent of his predecessor

“Digne is like the young Baines if you will,” stated Klopp, and Everton fans will be purring at the possibility.

2. Pereyra masterclass

Roberto Pereyra continues to impress for Watford this season, and tonight the Argentine was the fulcrum of the Hornets’ resurgence as they turned around a one goal deficit in the second-half, with the midfielder playing a chief role in both goals.

The first was rather fortuitous as his initial effort ricocheted off the woodwork before deflecting off Coleman, and past a hapless Jordan Pickford between the sticks, while there was no fortune about his second, as he whipped in delightful delivery to the on-rushing Doucoure, who duly headed home for two.

But it was not just Pereyra’s contributions for both goals that caught the eye, as the 27-year-old played with a verve and attacking panache indicative of his creative talents, while also working hard in pressing the Everton midfield and tracking back when necessary.

Pereyra is currently the club’s top goalscorer this season with five goals, while prior to this match he had completed the most successful dribbles (19) and taken the most shots (26), proving indispensable for manager Javi Gracia.

3. Sigurdsson marks half-century with penalty miss

Gylfi Sigurdsson made his 50th Everton appearance this evening, but was not able to replicate the kind of performance that has seen him receive widespread adulation this season, missing a spot-kick in the second after his tame effort was equalled by Ben Foster.

His missed penalty-kick places him alongside Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba as one of only two players to miss multiple Premier League spot-kicks this season, with his first coming against Fulham earlier in the season after his shot cannoned off the crossbar.

That penalty mishit also ensures that Sigurdsson has now missed two of his previous three spot-kicks in the league for Everton, having netted all six of his penalties during his playing days for Swansea – the Evertonians would have been expecting a more clinical player upon his arrival.

Sigurdsson started his Everton career in tentative fashion, and received some criticism for failing to reproduce the kind of performances that warranted a big-money move to Goodison Park, but this season the Icelandic has been in sensational form, and this performance will not tarnish what has been a fantastic season.

4. Walcott makes it 300

Theo Walcott made his 300th Premier League appearance this evening, joining an illustrious list of players – old and current – to reach that milestone, while he also simultaneously became the 125th member of that coveted club.

Unfortunately, Walcott was unable to mark the occasion with a performance that his achievement deserved, first getting away with a comical offside incident for Everton’s opening goal, and then coming off in the 66th minute for Ademola Lookman.

In his 300 appearances, the England international first mustered 270 appearances with Arsenal, while he has now added another 30 with the Toffees since relocating to Merseyside earlier this year, scoring 70 goals in that period and registering 54 assists.

Walcott rose to prominence having initially hailed from Southampton’s esteemed academy before Arsene Wenger snapped him up in 2005. And having been on the scene for so long it is almost hard to believe that Walcott is still only 29, and he is proving indispensable for Silva this campaign despite tonight’s performance.

5. Quina impresses as second-youngest Hornet

Domingos Quina became the second-youngest player in Watford’s history to start a Premier League match at 19-years-old and 22 days, while Al Bangura continues to hold the mantle, making his debut start in 2006 at 18-years-old and 319 days.

Quina was highly-sought after during the summer window after becoming disillusioned with a lack of playing time at West Ham. Among the names who were reportedly monitoring the teenage tyro’s situation in east London were Barcelona, but Watford ultimately secured his signature.

However, the youngster has once again had to bide his time to secure significant first-team action this term, making just one league appearance prior to tonight, while he has also started twice in the EFL Cup, scoring against Reading and playing a chief role against Spurs.

This evening, the Portugal U20 international showed spark, tenacity and some very neat touches; he certainly did not look out of place on the big stage, completing more accurate passes in the first-half (15) than any of his teammates, and he may be for some more first-team action after tonight’s brilliant display.

The post Five things learned as Digne’s last-minute equaliser sees Silva avoid unwanted Everton history against his former club appeared first on Squawka News.



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