On Saturday, Everton suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat against Premier League new boys Sheffield United at Goodison Park. It was the Toffees second defeat of the league campaign against a top-flight newcomer this season.
On Tuesday night, the Toffees visit Sheffield United’s city-rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the third round of the League Cup. With pressure mounting on boss Marco Silva, the match at Hillsborough could be a pivotal one in the reign of the Portuguese boss.
The poor start to the campaign has seen the former Watford boss become the favourite for the sack amongst Premier League bosses with the bookmakers. Another loss would lead to more disgruntlement amongst the fans. However, a win could kick-start the Merseysider’s season and lead to better form.
During last season’s terrible mid-season run a defeat at struggling Championship outfit Millwall in the FA Cup saw Silva’s stock fall to its lowest ebb.
The Toffees season improved towards the end of the campaign, with home wins over the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.
The good run of form towards the end of last season led to expectations that Silva’s team could really challenge for a top-six finish in the Premier League.
However, the defeat against Sheffield United was not the only disjointed display of the campaign from the Toffees. In fact, there have been very few good displays from the men from Merseyside this season.
The new signings of Fabian Delph, Alex Iwobi and Moise Kean have made mixed starts to their Everton careers, while the players remaining from last seasons squad have failed to produce any sort of form.
🙌 | @alexiwobi's first Everton goal! 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/dXApAm6QzS— Everton (@Everton) August 29, 2019
🙌 | @alexiwobi's first Everton goal! 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/dXApAm6QzS
A trip to a lower league team like Sheffield Wednesday seems like a potential banana skin. Such is modern football, a defeat at Hillsborough could be the beginning of the end for Marco Silva as Everton boss.