Pundit Paul Robinson has heaped praise upon Everton manager Rafa Benitez for improving his side’s home form in recent games.
Although Everton fell to an unfortunate 1-0 defeat at the hands for former Blues boss David Moyes, Robinson believed that the 61-year-old would have been “massively worried” by his side’s poor run of results at Goodison Park last season – making turning around home form a priority.
Everton suffered their eighth home Premier League defeat of 2021; only in 1993 (10) and 2005 (9) have they lost more times in a single calendar year in the competition at Goodison Park in what makes for ugly reading for any ardent Evertonian.
However, speaking to Football Insider, former England and Spurs hsot-stopper Robinson has praised a recent upturn in home results:
“It must’ve been a massive worry for Rafa Benitez coming in. Most teams build their success on their home form,” he claimed.
“If they are not picking up points at home, it is an issue.
“They were very poor at the back end of last season at home. It is important to bracket Benitez and Carlo Ancelotti separately though.
“When you look at what Benitez has achieved already with a depleted squad is brilliant, really.
“The way that they are playing, with key players to come back, you would expect them to get even better.
“You cannot criticise Benitez for a stat that is more reflective of the old regime.”
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Of course, only the West Ham game came under Benitez in an unwanted record that hangs far heavier on the shoulders of departed Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, who made a sudden summer switch back to his former club Real Madrid.
Still, to make it part way through October before the first home defeat is certainly an improvement that delineates from the previous trend, which should provide a justified sense of optimism going forward.
As Football Insider notes, Everton would record their worst ever year of results at Goodison Park if they lose three or more times from fixtures against Watford, Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester and Newcastle (via OptaJoe) – something a cautious eye will be kept on.
