MusaEverton slipped to a narrow 1-0 loss against Manchester United, and what stood out to me was the lack of creativity from the Toffees when it came to corner kicks.
David Moyes’ team struggled once again at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Benjamin Sesko’s goal proving to be the decisive moment of the match.
The striker capitalized on a swift counter-attack from the Red Devils, and the result sees Everton drop valuable points in their pursuit of European qualification.
There was no shortage of effort from the players on the night, but in the end, they simply lacked sharpness and cutting edge in the final third.
And their approach to corners really caught my attention.
Everton in need of more imagination from set pieces
It’s no secret that Everton possess a physically imposing side.
With aerial threats like James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Jake O’Brien, it’s only natural to see balls launched into the box.
That was certainly the case last night, especially in the second half, as Everton repeatedly relied on the same corner routine.
The Toffees earned a total of 10 corners against United, yet what stood out most was the complete lack of variety.
The early deliveries were standard floated balls into the mix, with players packed into the six-yard box. No real chances came from them.
Later, Everton shifted to crowding goalkeeper Senne Lammens, looking to force a scrappy goal. Blue shirts surrounded him—one right on his line, others hovering nearby—but the tactic never paid off.
Lammens revealed after the match that he felt Everton went overboard with their physical approach, though he handled the pressure well. In fact, his performance drew praise from Moyes for how calmly he dealt with the relentless deliveries.
What I find puzzling is the lack of invention.
If the goalkeeper is coping comfortably, surely you’d try something different.
Yet in all 10 corners, Everton didn’t attempt a single short corner—whether to shift the angle for a better cross or to set up a shot from the edge of the box.
The approach felt one-dimensional, as if they were convinced that persistently targeting the goalkeeper would eventually yield a goal. In theory, maybe, but the pattern suggested otherwise.
With the aerial options available, aiming for the box made sense—and James Garner’s delivery is usually reliable. Still, not one short corner in 10 attempts is hard to justify.
Kobbie Mainoo mocks Everton’s corner tactics
After the final whistle, Kobbie Mainoo took a subtle jab at Everton’s approach to corners.
The United midfielder compared the scenes in the box to the Royal Rumble on social media, making it clear he wasn’t impressed.
It’s a tactic we’re seeing more frequently across the league—Arsenal use it often, and it can certainly be effective.
But for Everton, the key moving forward must be adaptability. If Plan A isn’t working—and last night it clearly wasn’t—they’ll need a Plan B.
Musa
Kwaghterna Garshagu