A look at the changes to the starting line-up Everton manager Sean Dyche could make for the home game against Newcastle United
Sean Dyche’s biggest call for Everton’s next home game against Newcastle United seemingly surrounds who gets the nod on the right wing. Jesper Lindstrom has been selected for the Blues’ last three fixtures But despite Dyche’s side losing their way in the 1-1 draw at Leicester City after the Dane was withdrawn, after getting hooked at half-time against Crystal Palace, his replacement Jack Harrison made a positive difference as he put in the cross for Dwight McNeil’s second goal that proved to be the match-winner.
Harrison, who suffered from illness in the days leading up to the trip to the King Power Stadium, started Everton’s first four Premier League games this term and had 35 outings for the Blues in all competitions last season, including a start in the corresponding fixture against the Magpies at Goodison Park although on that occasion, he was deployed in a central support role behind striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The return to fitness for Everton’s breakthrough star of 2023/24, Jarrad Branthwaite, has helped shore things up at the back for the Blues as he reprised his centre-back partnership with James Tarkowski, who is ever present in the Premier League since he came to the club at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
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With Vitalii Mykolenko also coming back in against the Eagles, having gone off at Aston Villa through illness a fortnight earlier, the only real question mark in defence appears to be at right-back where four different players have started already.
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Ashley Young remains in pole position having played there against Crystal Palace, providing the pass to McNeil for his first goal, on what was his fourth Premier League outing this term, and third in the role.
However, alternatives include injured captain Seamus Coleman; Nathan Patterson, who is yet to feature this season as he returns to fitness; teenager Roman Dixon and even midfielder James Garner, who director of football Kevin Thelwell recently namechecked as being deployed in that role during England’s Under-21 European Championship success under Lee Carsley last year and played there against both Aston Villa and Leicester City.
Garner will also be vying for a spot in his preferred position in the centre of the park, but Dyche now appears to have a plethora of options in the engine room. Orel Mangala and Abdoulaye Doucoure are the incumbent central midfield duo while Idrissa Gueye, Tim Iroegbunam and Harrison Armstrong were all among the substitutes against Crystal Palace last time out with Gueye and Garner both being introduced late on.