A second-half turnaround sparked wild delirium at Hill Dickinson Stadium a fortnight ago when struggling Everton toppled the last unbeaten team in the Premier League, Crystal Palace. The Eagles had dominate
the first hour of the game, with Jordan Pickford and his defence’s last-ditch heroics keeping the margin at just one goal until the attack finally woke up. Sparked by substitutes Charly Alcaraz at the break and then Tim Iroegbunam midway through the half, the Blues turned the tables on the visitors with goals from Iliman Ndiaye via the penalty spot and in time added on Jack Grealish notched his first for the Toffees for an epic 2-1 win.
Against Manchester City this weekend, with Erling Haaland in imperious form, the Blues will have their work cut out for them, especially if Michael Keane has not fully recovered from his back injury. Jarrad Branthwaite and Merlin Rohl have both returned to training, but it’s unlikely either will start.
Grealish is ineligible to face his parent club and therefore will not be in the squad. This should allow Ndiaye to switch back to his favoured left side, and the returning Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will go back into his central role. The debate will be on the right – Tyler Dibling started and was ineffective against Palace, and Alcaraz made a strong impression, albeit from a more central position where he’s at his best.
For Pep Guardiola’s side, Rodri is the only confirmed absence though Omar Marmoush, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Abdukodir Khusanov all face late fitness tests.
Who’s Out?
Per David Moyes in his pre-match press conference on Friday Nathan Patterson has picked up an injury from his midweek appearance for the Everton Under-21s.
Everton squad available vs Manchester City
Goalkeepers: Pickford, Travers, King
Defenders: Keane, Branthwaite (DOUBT), Tarkowski, O’Brien, Mykolenko, Coleman, Patterson (INJURED), Aznou
Midfielders: Gueye, Garner, Iroegbunam, Dewsbury-Hall , Röhl (DOUBT)
Wingers: McNeil, Ndiaye, Grealish (INELIGIBLE), Dibling, Alcaraz
Attackers: Beto, Barry
Tactics and Formation
Everton will likely stick to the 4-2-3-1 they’ve used so far.
Starters (likelihood of starting rated out of 10)
Jordan Pickford – 9/10
Vitaliy Mykolenko – 8/10
Michael Keane – 7/10 If Keane is fit then he’s starting.
James Tarkowski – 9/10
Jake O’Brien – 6/10 Much better last time out.
Idrissa Gueye – 8/10
James Garner – 8/10
Iliman Ndiaye – 9/10 With Grealish out he should switch back to the left wing.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 9/10 The central midfielder was sorely missed in the first half last time around.
Carlos Alcaraz – 7/10 Charly always tends to be better when coming in as a second half sub.
Beto – 7/10 This could go either way really, who knows.
Bench
Mark Travers
Adam Aznou
Jarrad Branthwaite – When he’s fully fit, who sits, Tarky or Keano?
Seamus Coleman
Tim Iroegbunam – Has come in for some criticism previously, but what an impact against the Eagles.
Merlin Rohl – There’s a school of thought that Garner should be playing right back and Rohl take his spot in the middle. We might still see that, but with the German player having just returned, not quite yet.
Dwight McNeil – Looked strangely flat in the Carabao Cup game against Wolves, but was very good for the Under-21s midweek.
Tyler Dibling – Didn’t quite make an impression in his first start.
Thierno Barry – Badly needs a spark. Was even dropped from the France Under-21 squad.
