Former Everton striker Tim Cahill has praised Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical alteration on Saturday during the draw with Sean Dyche’s Burnley.
During the latest round of Premier League fixtures, the Toffees travelled to Turf Moor and played out a 1-1 draw with the Clarets (per BBC).
In the clash, the Merseyside club’s Italian manager started Everton in a 3-4-3 formation with Fabian Delph and Alex Iwobi as wing-backs (per Transfermarkt).
However, mid-way through the first half, Delph was forced off with an injury and replaced by Andre Gomes, which saw the Toffees switch to a four-back formation (per WhoScored).
During Saturday night’s Match of the Day, Cahill discussed this tactical switch and heaped praise on Ancelotti for it. (59:20)
He said: “It was excellent, tactically, from Ancelotti because he had to go to a back four – [Ben] Godfrey left-back, Iwobi right-back and [with] Gomes, now you’ve got an overload [in midfield].
“That extra man made a massive difference in the second half [because Gomes was doing a] simple little play and go.
“Just that extra man took the pressure off, it made it easier for Everton to get out and also Gomes’ composure on the ball – he added a little bit to the game.
“The [Burnley] midfielders [had] to make a decision, do they stay or do they go. [They] had Gomes in the pocket, Richarlison [too and] James [Rodriguez] making runs in behind.
“It was just better by Everton and tactically Ancelotti did the right thing because [they had] numbers forward.”
TIF Thoughts on what Tim Cahill said about Carlo Ancelotti’s tactics…
As can be seen in what the former Toffees forward had to say, he believes that it was an important tactical switch from the Italian after Delph left the field.
Should Carlo Ancelotti begin using four-back formations again from now on?
No, I like the five-back
Yes, five-back isn't working
With Everton having gone a goal down early on while Delph was still on the pitch and then having equalised following the tactical switch, it seems the proof was in the pudding for Ancelotti.
Ancelotti has started Everton with three central defenders in their three previous matches in the Premier League now, only one of which was won.
So, perhaps it would be prudent of the Italian gaffer to begin starting with four-back formations again in future.