Learning The Lessons From Victory

You have to learn the same amount of lessons in victory as you do in defeat, and there is as much to be said for analysing the things you did right as well as the things you did wrong.

Hopefully Martinez looks at the performance on Wednesday night and thinks ‘why?’. Why did we win, why did we keep a clean sheet and why did we turn our dominance into goals without conceding. If those questions are answered then hopefully it can be the building blocks to further points and a push towards to European places.

So why did we win? We weren’t particularly clinical in front of goal but created enough chances to gain a first half lead. Their goalkeeper had a great game which helped keep the game close but going forward has never been our problem this season, we’ve scored the most league goals from open play.

So why did we keep a clean sheet? For me it starts with Gareth Barry. Barry is having an excellent season but often is too far up the pitch and has to defend running back towards our own goal. That’s not a slight against Barry, I think it’s where Martinez tells him to play. Against Newcastle, Barry was a much more conventional defensive midfielder and exactly what you need to dominate play but not leave yourself open. The example of where this wasn’t working is vs Man City in the second leg where David Silva found himself in an acre of space in the lead up to the first goal. This led to the midfielders scrambling back towards goal in what I call 'chaos defending’ where players are out of position and out of the defensive unit in a desperate attempt to stop the attack, it often leads to a goal. There was little evidence of that kind of defending against a Newcastle attack with plenty of pace.

We were also helped by an injury, and an introduction to the first team of Joel Robles who simply has to be our first choice goalkeeper until the end of the season, even though I anticipate Martinez’ continued stubbornness. Joel didn’t have to pull out any world class saves but his judgement in coming off the line was flawless again and it must give the confidence in the defenders if they are confident with what’s behind them. Joel’s inclusion also helps bring the Evertonians onside with the manager and Martinez needs all the help he can get in that respect.

I don’t think John Stones’ absence had much of a difference. Funes Mori didn’t have a great game but didn’t have to with our defensive solidity. Stones’ break from the game will hopefully refresh him. Apparently he has a slight knock but I think that is a fabrication to give him a break. A slight 'niggle’ in a hamstring that’s never had a issue, in training, after he’s been negatively discussed in the national media all seems too much of a coincidence. If it’s a lie, I completely agree with it and see it as astute management. As it stops the media making a big deal out of it. We know how good he is, and after a break, we’ll see it again very soon.

It all seems too easy: play the in-form keeper and don’t over commit your defensive players too high up the pitch. A good end of the season will be built on the back of better home form. In the next match the fans will be happier and the players will be more confident. Hopefully that’ll lead to a lot more points.