Sky Sports pundit predicts Everton clash v Lyon, highlights importance of senior player
By Danny Wright
Charlie Nicholas believes that Everton will get their first win in the Europa League group stages against Lyon at Goodison Park on Thursday night.
The Sky Sports pundit has predicted that Ronald Koeman will lead his side to a 2-1 win over the Ligue 1 giants and put themselves back in the hunt to reach the knock-out stages after Christmas.
It has been a tough start to the campaign for Everton, not only in the Premier League but also in Europe after being dealt with a humilating 3-0 loss to Atalanta before a draw with minnows Apollon Limassol.
The Merseyside club currently sits bottom of Group E and a win against Lyon could take them up to second if Apollon fail to win against Atalanta in the other fixture on Thursday night.
Nicholas believes that Everton will have to rely on the impact of Wayne Rooney during the clash against Lyon this week, and has not been afraid to highlight the importance of the ex-Manchester United attacker.
“It is Wayne Rooney who is getting them out of the holes. He’s not in his best form but he’s the one who wants to get on the ball, even if it is crossing from 30 yards out,” Nicholas said on the Sky Sports website.
“What they’ll get here if they don’t start well is a really awkward night in front of their home crowd. Lyon are a decent side and I just feel like there’s an aggressive display to come from Everton.
“I genuinely thought that they’d be top seven this season and that looks a long way away right now, but I think Rooney will help them get their Europa League campaign off to a belated start with a scrappy win here.”
Rooney, 31, has arguably been the Toffees’ best player this season since he re-joined them in the summer after 13 years at Old Trafford.
The senior player has scored four goals in 14 appearances across all competitions, including one in the 2-2 draw with Apollon last month.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have joined a Champions League club in the hunt for this Portuguese defender from a European giant.
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