Sylvain Distin suggests what Everton’s major set-piece problem is

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Everton put up a good fight against Manchester City yesterday but goals in stoppage time of either half saw the Toffees lose the fixture 2-0.

Once again, it was the team’s inability to defend set-pieces that let them down.

Everton allowed Aymeric Laporte to lose his marker and nod home the opener on the stroke of half time. Considering he’d missed an identical chance earlier in the half, Everton had no excuse.

It is certainly not the sort of goal Everton used to concede regularly with Sylvain Distin at the back. The Frenchman, who played over 200 games for Everton, spoke to talkSPORT today (07/02/2018; 09:12) and suggested why Everton might be conceding too many goals from set-pieces.

“It seems like sometimes the line is too high. As a defender, it is a very uncomfortable situation.

“You want to close the gap between the line and your goalkeeper, but at the same time, you need to be high enough to disturb the attacking players. But if the line is one or two yards too high you really feel uncomfortable.”

TBR’s View

It does appear that Everton are not currently comfortable defending set-pieces in their current shape. In that respect, Marco Silva might have to adapt and perhaps adopt a deeper defensive line.

However, the bigger problem is the complete lack of leaders at the back. Under Roberto Martinez, Phil Jagielka or Distin would dominate such situations. Under David Moyes, Everton fans never had to worry with Alan Stubbs and David Weir at the ready.

Everton desperately need a centre-back who can command in the area from set-pieces because, at present, the likes of Michael Keane, Kurt Zouma and Yerry Mina are failing in that regard.

Until then, Everton look likely to continue leaking goals from such positions.