Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC 1, Wolves 1: Greg O'Keeffe sees the Blues suffer from becoming a Premier League scalp
ISAAC NEWTON wasn't talking about football when he said every action has an opposite and equal reaction, but his famous truism is haunting Everton's early season efforts.[LNB]Because those fine victories over Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City last term are causing a reaction this time around which the Toffees are struggling to cope with.[LNB]Make no mistake, the rest of the Premier League sat up and took notice of those victories, and they look set to set their stall out against Everton accordingly.[LNB]First Blackburn and now Wolves have taken points from David Moyes' side, with performances which have focused on knocking Everton out of their stride and beating them in terms of aggression and perspiration.[LNB] This, coupled with a worrying habit of not converting their chances, explains why pre-season optimism is in danger of slumping faster than sales of that orange paint in Blackpool.[LNB]But first the good news - part of the problem is fixable. No Evertonian wants their side to stop trying to play football, but more often than not those scintillating displays last season mean they are going to come up against teams with 10 men behind the ball.[LNB]When the Blues adapt to this, and find ways to play through it, the points will follow. The first half against Wolves was already an improvement on the subdued showing at Ewood Park. Everton were bright, purposeful and created plenty of chances.[LNB]In truth, they should have gone into the break with more than a one-goal cushion and that's something which will continue to worry Moyes. With Louis Saha out of sorts against Blackburn, the Bues boss handed Jermaine Beckford his Goodison league debut, and, while the former Leeds man ran tirelessly and got himself into good positions, he will take time to adapt to the top flight. His composure in the area was lacking at times, but Beckford is entitled to plenty of patience.
