“I wouldn’t be shocked if…” – Sutton shares his score prediction for Everton vs. Fulham.
Chris Sutton anticipates Everton will lose points against Fulham on Saturday (26 October), but highlights Dwight McNeil's potential to make a significant impact following his "exceptional" start to the season.
Everton will welcome former manager Marco Silva and his Fulham team to Goodison Park, looking to extend their current unbeaten run in the Premier League to five matches following a 2-0 victory against Ipswich Town last weekend.
Much of this resurgence can be attributed to Dwight McNeil, who has been in fine form this season, contributing three goals and three assists in just eight appearances.
In his Premier League predictions for BBC Sport on October 24, Chris Sutton highlighted McNeil’s potential impact against Fulham but ultimately predicted a draw, emphasizing the unpredictability of the match.
Sutton remarked, “I don’t want to say I predicted Everton would be okay, but I did.
After starting the season with four straight losses, Sean Dyche’s team has found their footing, remaining unbeaten in the last four matches and climbing up the table.
They are exhibiting the hallmarks of a classic [Sean] Dyche team: hard work, street smarts, and a touch of quality. Dwight McNeil is enjoying an outstanding season.”
He added, “This will be a test for them, as Fulham can be a formidable opponent on their day.
Though they’ve lost their last two games to Manchester City and Aston Villa, they showed promising phases in both matches.
I wouldn’t be surprised if either side came away with a win, so I’m settling on a 1-1 draw.”
After their recent performances, Everton fans would have hesitated to back their team had this fixture occurred right after the 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa.
However, since that loss, in which the Toffees squandered a two-goal lead for the second straight match, Dyche has orchestrated a notable turnaround.
As they prepare to face Fulham, Everton’s record stands at two wins and two draws in their last four matches.
With reports suggesting Dyche may be offered a new long-term contract with the club, the outlook at Goodison Park has shifted from bleak to hopeful, instilling fresh motivation in the manager and his squad.
Fulham currently finds themselves in a situation similar to what Everton faced just weeks ago, struggling to translate good performances into results in their recent losses against Manchester City and Aston Villa.
McNeil is poised to be the decisive factor for the Toffees this weekend, thriving in a new number 10 role.
Dyche has expressed confidence that McNeil’s best performances are still ahead of him, which adds to the optimism surrounding the team.
The momentum clearly lies with Everton, but supporters will be mindful of the appointment of referee John Brooks for this fixture.
It will be crucial for the players to focus on their performance and ensure the outcome is determined on the pitch, rather than being influenced by any contentious officiating decisions.
