Everton could make four changes against Man City as Sean Dyche faces triple anxious wait

Everton could make four changes against Man City as Sean Dyche faces triple anxious wait

Everton are next up against Man City in the Premier League with Sean Dyche facing some selection posers

 

Sean Dyche during Everton’s draw with Tottenham Hotspur

Sean Dyche during Everton’s draw with Tottenham Hotspur(Image: (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images))

Everton claimed a well-earned Premier League point against Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.

 

Richarlison had twice put Spurs in front against his former club in the first-half, as Jack Harrison’s goal appeared to have been in vain. But Jarrad Branthwaite scored a stoppage-time equaliser to earn his side a point.

 

The games don’t get any easier for the Blues as they make the trip to the Etihad to take on Manchester City this weekend. And with that game in mind, we have taken a look at the changes Sean Dyche could make to his side.

 

Defensive conundrum

Given his usual high standards, Jordan Pickford’s distribution was rather disappointing against Spurs at the weekend.

 

On a number of occasions, the England international kicked the ball straight out of play; however, unless Pickford picks up an injury between now and his side’s game at the Etihad, one suspects he will be given the nod to start between the sticks.

 

The same can also be said about Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski and Vitalii Mykolenko. All three have been superb in recent weeks, and one imagines they will be lining up in their side’s starting line-up against Pep Guardiola’s men.

 

However, at right-back, Sean Dyche has something of a conundrum. Ben Godfrey was given the nod to start against Spurs, having done so a couple of days earlier against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

 

Godfrey impressed on Saturday, and although he was replaced with 15 minutes of normal time remaining, that was simply because he had cramp. The 26-year-old was replaced by Seamus Coleman, and he is an option to come in at right-back should Dyche look to make a change.

 

Nathan Patterson, who was an unused substitute against Spurs, is another who could come in at right-back. His last appearance came against Fulham, when he came off the bench with just nine minutes remaining.

 

Amadou Onana hope

Everton were boosted by the return of Idrissa Gueye on Saturday afternoon.

 

Gueye returned in midfield after Senegal’s exit from the AFCON earlier this week, alongside James Garner. Both will probably start at the Etihad.

 

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Dyche described Amadou Onana as ‘touch-and-go’ for the game against Ange Postecoglou’s side. With another week of rehabilitation under his belt, the Everton boss will be hoping the 22-year-old can come back into contention for the game in Manchester.

 

Abdoulaye Doucoure has been completing individual work on the grass after sustaining a hamstring problem, but the game at the Etihad could come too soon for him and Andre Gomes, who has also been absent with a calf injury.

 

Lewis Dobbin thinking

Speaking in the immediate aftermath of the draw with Tottenham, Blues boss Dyche ruled Arnaut Danjuma out of this weekend’s game.

 

The forward suffered an ankle injury during the goalless stalemate at Fulham on Tuesday and will not be fit enough to feature at the Etihad. Speaking afterwards, Dyche said: “It needs settling down, so we’ll wait and see as time goes on but it won’t happen for next weekend, it’s pretty clear.”

 

Dwight McNeil and Ashley Young started on either flank for the Blues on Saturday, with Jack Harrison playing in behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However, Lewis Dobbin came off the bench to inject some much-needed energy into his side.

 

Whether it was enough to force his way into his manager’s thinking remains to be seen. And further forward, Dyche has another decision to make.

 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin looked to have finally ended his lengthy goal drought at Everton, only for his close-range header against Tottenham to be taken off him. The forward, just the fourth player to reach 50 Premier League goals for his club, last found the net after scoring the winner against West Ham on October 29.

 

The England international looked as though he had turned the ball home to bring his side level during the first-half, but in the end, the goal was awarded to Harrison, who was deemed to have got the last touch on the ball before it crossed the line.

 

Calvert-Lewin was replaced by Beto with five minutes of normal time remaining against Spurs, but he too has struggled in front of goal this season. Youssef Chermiti also came on at the same time, but a start at the Etihad appears unlikely.