Alan Shearer and Paul scholes gives a tactical insight on how Everton can have an edge over Fulham

*Tactical Insights: Everton vs. Fulham*

To gain an edge over Marco Silva’s Fulham, Sean Dyche can employ the following tactical strategies for Everton:

*Everton’s Tactical Approach*

1. *Compact Defensive Shape:* Implement a narrow 4–5–1 or 5–4–1 formation, congesting the midfield and limiting Fulham’s creative spaces.
2. *Quick Transitions:* Exploit Fulham’s high defensive line with swift counter-attacks, utilizing Dwight McNeil’s pace and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s finishing.
3. *Targeted Set Pieces:* Utilize dead-ball situations to test Fulham’s defense, focusing on deliveries from wide areas into the box.
4. *Physical Presence:* Deploy powerful midfielders like Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye to neutralize Fulham’s Smith Rowe and Harrison Reed.
5. *Wide Overloads:* Overlap with full-backs to provide width, stretching Fulham’s defense and creating opportunities for crosses.

*Neutralizing Fulham’s Threats*

1. *Contain Smith Rowe:* Limit the midfielder’s influence by assigning a dedicated marker, disrupting Fulham’s control.
2. *Nullify Raul Jimenez* Use a physical center-back pairing to counter the striker’s aerial threat and hold-up play.
3. *Track Harrison Reed:* Monitor the midfielder’s late runs into the box, preventing scoring opportunities.

*Key Player Battles*

1. *Dwight McNeil vs. Kenny Tete:* McNeil’s pace against Tete’s defensive positioning.
2. *Dominic Calvert-Lewin vs. Issa Diop:* Aerial battles between Everton’s striker and Fulham’s center-back.
3. *Abdoulaye Doucoure vs. Joao Palhinha:* Midfield control and physicality.

*Adaptations*

1. *Adjust Formation:* Shift to 4–3–3 if Fulham dominates possession, adding midfield control.
2. *In-Game Substitutions:* Introduce fresh legs to maintain intensity and exploit Fulham’s fatigue.
3. *Set-Piece Variations:* Mix deliveries and runners to keep Fulham’s defense guessing.

By implementing these tactical strategies, Sean Dyche can equip Everton to effectively counter Marco Silva’s Fulham, securing a competitive edge.

Sources:

1. Premier League statistics and analysis.
2. Tactical insights from football experts.
3. Recent match reviews and player performance data.