Everton have overturned a 1-0 deficit to secure Ronald Koeman’s first win as manager, downing West Brom 2-1 at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
A splendid goal from Kevin Mirallas as well as a Gareth Barry header ensured the Blues would secure their first win of the season, reversing Gareth McAuley’s ninth-minute opener.
The win takes the Toffees to four points, one ahead of the Baggies who opened their campaign with victory at Crystal Palace last week.
Koeman quick to adjust
It took some time for the Toffees to get out of second gear, playing slow football in the early stages, and, more importantly, being sent in arrears the first 10 minutes thanks to McAuley.
Maintaining Gerard Deulofeu as a makeshift centre-forward, Koeman seemed to accept he had his tactics wrong and wasted little time in pulling the trigger, shifting the Spaniard to his preferred right-wing position in a rejigged 4-3-3. James McCarthy was sacrificed in the 38th-minute switch with Romelu Lukaku introduced, returning from a heel injury.
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After half time, Everton looked a new side and were rewarded almost instantly, with Mirallas finishing off some superb combination play. Tactical flexibility will come as a welcome sight for Evertonians following the Roberto Martinez era.
Mirallas looks a new player
Still early days in the 2016-17 season, the Belgian appears to be one of the names benefitting from the off-season managerial change. Under Martinez, Mirallas found himself in and out – but mostly out – of the starting XI, with his future at Goodison Park very much up in the air.
Ohhh Kevin Mirallas
— Everton Pictures (@evertonfcpics) August 20, 2016
But a start against Spurs and again versus Albion has provided the winger with a much needed shot in the arm. Mirallas buried an excellent Everton move of quick, crafty passing, another refreshing highlight from the early days of the Koeman era.
The wings promise to be key strength for the Toffees this season, boasting Mirallas, Deulofeu, Aaron Lennon and new signing Yannick Bolasie, with Lyon’s Algeria international Rachid Ghezzal still linked with a move to Everton before the window closes.
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