Everton's failings against Arsenal and Co undermine top-four credentials
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By Brian Sears 22 August 2014 Everton are widely and rightly expected to finish in the top seven places in the Premier League this season, as they have done for the past four seasons and in eight of the last 10 seasons. They are stable, consistent, have a talented (and likeable) manager in Roberto Martinez, and a squad with plenty of youthful potential, including multiple home-grown players. But only once in 22 completed seasons of the Premier League era - the 'monied era', during which they have lagged behind financially - have they finished in the top four, and that was in 2004-05. In fact that was the only time they have finished in the top four since the 1980s. One significant reason for that is their poor record against the 'bigger' teams, specifically those, like themselves, who are 'ever present' in the Premier League era: Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa. And as Everton prepare to host Arsenal at Goodison Park on Saturday, it is notable that, since 1992, Everton have lost twice as many
Everton's failings against Arsenal and Co undermine top-four credentials
Everton's failings against Arsenal and Co…
Everton's failings against Arsenal and Co undermine top-four credentials
By Brian Sears 22 August 2014 Everton are widely and rightly expected to finish in the top seven places in the Premier League this season, as they have done for the past four seasons and in eight of the last 10 seasons. They are stable, consistent, have a talented (and likeable) manager in Roberto Martinez, and a squad with plenty of youthful potential, including multiple home-grown players. But only once in 22 completed seasons of the Premier League era - the 'monied era', during which they have lagged behind financially - have they finished in the top four, and that was in 2004-05. In fact that was the only time they have finished in the top four since the 1980s. One significant reason for that is their poor record against the 'bigger' teams, specifically those, like themselves, who are 'ever present' in the Premier League era: Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa. And as Everton prepare to host Arsenal at Goodison Park on Saturday, it is notable that, since 1992, Everton have lost twice as many