Lukaku key in Everton’s SuperSport eye record... hunt for rare derby win and the title
EVERTON will target a first victory over Liverpool in nearly seven years tomorrow knowing that if they succeed an unlikely pursuit of a top-four finish might start to be taken seriously.
Spurred by Romelu Lukaku’s goals, Ronald Koeman’s side have closed steadily on the battle for Champions and Europa League qualification and victory in tomorrow’s early kickoff at Anfield would, temporarily at least, lift them into fifth spot.
Defeat, on the other hand, would leave them isolated in seventh and struggling to catch the teams above them.
Everton were beaten 1-0 at Goodison Park earlier this season when Sadio Mane’s stoppage-time goal ensured bragging rights remained in the red half the city.
Liverpool won the corresponding fixture 4-0 last season and Everton have to rewind all the way back to October 2010 for their last win over their arch-rivals, a 2-0 victory at Goodison.
Their last win at Anfield came in a feisty affair in 1999 when Kevin Campbell scored the winner and three players, including Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, were sent off.
Hardly the kind of run to inspire much hope, but Koeman’s side have lost only one of their last 12 Premier League games compared to Liverpool’s rather up-and-down form which has seen them win only three of their last 10.
Both sides were dealt blows in the buildup to the 228th Merseyside derby with Everton defender Seamus Coleman breaking his leg during Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Wales.
Liverpool will also be missing Adam Lallana (thigh injury) and manager Jurgen Klopp will be sweating on the return of Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho from international duty with Brazil.
Fourth-placed Liverpool are six points above Everton, both having played 29 games – two more than the sides separating them, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Arsenal, level on 50 points with Everton after four defeats in five games, host thirdplaced Manchester City on Sunday with their hopes of a 21st consecutive top-four finish in peril.
While Arsenal are looking over their shoulders, Jose Mourinho’s United, who have 52 points, host West Bromwich Albion and are looking up after going 18 matches unbeaten in the league.
Meanwhile Chelsea’s title march has been relentless and the Blues can tick off another three points with victory over Crystal Palace. Tottenham Hotspur, 10 points behind Antonio Conte’s side in second, visit a Burnley side who have won nine of 14 at Turf Moor.
At the other end of the table Swansea City host second-from-bottom Middlesbrough on Sunday while on Saturday Jermain Defoe, fresh from scoring for England, returns to the task of trying to fire Sunderland off the foot of the table away at Watford. – Reuters SUPERSPORT UNITED’S corridors have been dead quiet, with every player, technical staff member and the bosses at the club avoiding talk of them finally winning the PSL title this season.
It’s been seven calendar years since Matsatsantsa a Pitori were crowned champions. The last time they won it (in the 2009/10 season) it was their third success in a row.
Then came the dry spell. Matsatsantsa became a shadow of themselves, watching sides like Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns taking turns at clinching the league trophy. Orlando Pirates had won it twice in succession before these two sides had turned themselves into the main attraction when it came to the domestic league race in the past four seasons.
SuperSport’ striker Jeremy Brockie reckons this could be the season that dry spell finally comes to an end. But he adds they need to produce more wins than draws in their remaining 10 league matches.
Matsatsantsa host Baroka FC in a league encounter at Mbombela Stadium tomorrow (kickoff 3pm),. A win or a draw will see them break Kaizer Chiefs’ league run of 19 games unbeaten (2014/15 season).
“The reason why everybody at the club has been avoiding talking about the possibility of us winning the league this season... no one wants to jinx it,” Brockie said. “We’ve been avoiding such talk, though we’ve been consistent in avoiding defeats in our league race this season. It is only now that out coach (Stuart Baxter) has started talking about us needing to win all of our remaining matches. Everybody understands their roles and responsibilities. And I believe that we can do it.”
Brockie, who scored the opener in that 2-0 victory that ended Amakhosi’s unbeaten run three seasons ago, said he hopes to be on the score-sheet in tomorrow’s match.
“Growing up in New Zealand as a kid who never wanted to do anything other than play football, was never easy,” Brockie said. “A whole lot of people, including the media, discouraged the idea of the sport being played in the country. And that’s because, as you know, New Zealanders are a rugby-loving nation. I tried playing the sport (rugby), but it was never meant for me. It’s the tackling that got me out of it. I just couldn’t take it.” Brockie chuckled.
He added: “Coming here to South Africa was the best decision I have ever made in my career. The Nedbank Cup title which we won last season was my first ever trophy I had ever won in my professional career. And now, this season, we stand a good chance of being crowned PSL champions. Things are looking up. It can only get better.
“I watched (Baroke) against Chiefs and they are a side who are determined not to go down with a fight,” Brockie said. “That equalizer they scored (through Mxolisi Kunene) was just pure class. They are a side who are also hoping to come out of that relegation dog fight.”