Silva expecting Palace game to be a tough test
Marco Silva reasoned Everton’s record against Crystal Palace in recent seasons means he cannot afford to take a third successive top-flight win for granted. Everton defeated Fulham and Leicester City before the international break to kick-start a campaign that was initially blighted by injuries to a number of key personnel. Silva’s tactics are starting to take root after his appointment in the summer, while the injury crisis is easing, as Palace prepare to visit Goodison Park this afternoon. The Eagles are not a bogey team for Everton, but they have collected at least a point from the Toffees in seven of their past 10 meetings. Silva said: “We are coming off two good wins in the Premier League. We have to work really hard to achieve a third win in a row. It will be a tough game. “Normally I try to see what has happened in the past few years against the opponent we will play. I think the past 10 matches we have played against Crystal Palace we just won three of them, it’s not a good number. “What we have to do is play at our best level and respect our opponent.” All four of Palace’s wins this term have come away from Selhurst Park and Silva is wary of their strengths going forward – even if Wilfried Zaha, who faces a late fitness test on an adductor injury, is ruled out. Silva added: “Our opponent in transition and counter-attack are really strong.” Everton have plenty of attacking options themselves, with a front quartet of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Richarlison, Bernard and Theo Walcott creating plenty of opportunities last time out at Leicester. Silva said: “It’s really important to see what they did. Everybody is happy with the situation, our supporters as well. “For me, it’s important they are enjoying what they are doing, they are our players. But I don’t want to focus just on these four. “Now it’s better for us to continue in this way to getting better every time because we will have different problems next Sunday (against Manchester United). They have to be able to find the solutions to score and to win.” New signings Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes, both of whom arrived on transfer deadline day from Barcelona, as well as James McCarthy will be available for Silva after returning to full training following injuries. Midfielder Idrissa Gueye faces a late fitness test on an ankle problem he sustained while on duty with Senegal. Silva said: “It’s part of our schedule. We know before the situation could happen.”