EVERTON 1-0 WATFORD

Everton opened their season at Goodison Park with a nervy 1-0 victory over Watford but that will not matter to Blues boss Marco Silva. Last season’s game at Goodison produced a 2-2 draw with Watford fans waving snakes at their former boss, this time it was a happier occasion for the 42-year-old Everton manager.

Goodison was bathed in sunshine and it was Everton who came out of the traps the quickest and went ahead in the 10th minute through Bernard.

Lucas Digne’s 50-yard pass to Bernard saw the Brazilian control it in an instant and set off towards the Watford penalty area. Kiko Femenia backed off and Bernard drew him inside before flashing a shot, which took a nick off Craig Dawson, beyond Ben Foster and into the net.

Watford appeared lethargic in the early stages allowing André Gomes and new signing Jean-Philippe Gbamin to dictate the play. Around the half-hour mark the visitors began to assert themselves in the game and by half time they were unlucky to trail. Firstly, Dawson headed against the crossbar from a José Holebas corner, Pickford then had to save well to deny Ettiene Capoue.

The second half did not really improve for Everton as they struggled to get any pattern into their play. The visitors used their physical advantage to unsettle their hosts and they always carried a threat.

Richarlison was having a frustrating afternoon against his former employers and the visiting fans let him know. It was from a Richarlison mistake that Watford had their best chance of the second half.

Richarlison carried the ball up the pitch only to play a careless pass inside which Capoué picked up. He fed Deulofeu who split the Everton defence with a perfectly weighted ball to Troy Deeney, but Pickford closed down Deeney in an instant and bravely blocked his goalbound shot at point-blank range with his face.

Richarlison then had a chance to kill the game off but flashed his header over the bar from a Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick. He was then withdrawn soon after to end a frustrating afternoon for the Brazilian.

Silva threw on Moise Kean with less than 20 minutes remaining and the young Italian striker almost doubled Everton’s lead on a couple of occasions.

Firstly, a good strong run and turn gave him some space but he flashed the ball over the bar and into the Gwladys Street End. Then in the dying minutes after he was fed by Bernard, he produced another nice turn before beating Foster with a low shot that finished the wrong side of the post for the Blues striker.

Lee Mason brought an end to a nervy victory for the Blues but one that saw them register their 10th clean sheet in 13 games, a stat that only Champions Manchester City can better. That will please Silva and give him a solid basis on which to work as he chases a return to European football for the Blues.

Final Score: Everton 1-0 Watford

How They Lined Up: 

Barry Cass