Talking Tactics: How can beleaguered Everton avoid the drop?

Everton are facing up to the to the difficult task of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

After their 10-point deduction and subsequent 3-0 loss to Manchester United last Sunday, the Toffees find themselves five points from safety.

The Merseysiders therefore have a challenge on their hands to avoid the drop, despite their relatively strong form in recent weeks.

Ahead of today's trip to Nottingham Forest, we take a look at how Sean Dyche can steer his side away from the fight.

In the mixer

With points now a precious commodity, Everton need to play to their strengths.

Dyche's outfit have been effective from dead-ball situations this season, ranking top of the division for set-piece xG (7.08).

Using this to their advantage for the remainder of the campaign could therefore be crucial.

The Toffees are particularly strong from corners, with an xG of 4.51 — second only to Arsenal (4.82).

Abdoulaye Doucoure has been an effective target with four goals to his name already in 2023-24.

And Everton threatened from free-kicks and corners in their defeat to Manchester United, despite being let down by some wasteful finishing.

Home comforts

Goodison Park was a hostile environment for visitors United last weekend.

Everton's angered fans took the opportunity to protest their points deduction — and that is likely to be a feature of their home games for the coming weeks and months.

Dyche and his players will hope to benefit from the cauldron-like atmosphere on Merseyside, despite having won just one of their seven home league matches this term.

The Toffees have often been on top in games and failed to convert enough chances, as was the case against the Red Devils.

Everton had an xG of 2.5 to United's 1.7, yet found themselves on the end of a 3-0 defeat.

There have been signs of what might be to come at Goodison, however, notably in a 3-0 win over Bournemouth back in October.

Speaking after that victory, Dyche said: "The fans deserve it for the backing of the team. They are always committed to the cause, home and away, during games.

"At last the xG pays us back. I've been going on about that but the more statistically you do those things, they will happen.

"It's a season's work. There's way more work to be done, it's a constant here, but we're correcting things slowly but surely."

Focal point

One man Everton have also often turned to is centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is likely to be a key in their bid to avoid the drop.

The England international appeared to be getting back to somewhere near his best in September, scoring in three consecutive games before netting the winning goal in a 1-0 win at West Ham last month.

Though he has not scored in his last four appearances, the signs remain promising that the 26-year-old could reach the heights of 2020-21 again.

If Calvert-Lewin and his team-mates can start firing, Everton will be confident of bouncing back at Nottingham Forest this evening.