Match Preview
Arnaut Danjuma looks likely to remain an Everton player beyond this week’s transfer deadline
Everton return to Premier league action on Tuesday evening as they travel to London to face a tricky assignment against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The Blues will need to pick themselves up following Saturday’s dismal cup exit at the hands of Luton while also dealing with ongoing injury problems that are severely restricting Sean Dyche’s ability to navigate what has become a rocky patch of form.
Everton have won just one of their last eight matches in all competitions and still set precariously just above the relegation zone above their cup conquerors, Luton thanks to the points deduction that the club’s lawyers will be fighting at an appeal hearing in the coming weeks.
Dyche’s side appear to have lost their way somewhat in the absence of Abdoulaye Doucouré, and with Idrissa Gueye away on Africa Cup of Nations duty and Andre Gomes struggling once more with injury, there is a depressing lack of creativity in midfield and dynamism and effectiveness up front.
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“It’s a calf,” Dyche said of Gomes. “He won’t be fit this week. It’s going to be a matter of time, but we don’t know how long yet. He’s had a couple of them over the last few months, and it’s a loss to us because he’s shown he wants to adapt.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin continues his barren run in front of goal, Beto is struggling to convince that he is the answer leading the line and Dwight McNeil has not looked the same player since injuring himself at Crystal Palace earlier this month.
Both Doucouré and Gomes are ruled out for the trip to the Capital with hamstring and calf issues respectively, and Ashley Young probably won’t the trip as he works his way back to full fitness. Seamus Coleman could travel, with Dyche admitting that it would be a “judgement call” whether or not to push him back into the fold.
That leaves the manager grappling with the same personnel as were available at the weekend against the Hatters, a group that, collectively, turned in a worryingly one-dimensional and in effective display.
Jordan Pickford will almost certainly return to the side after Joao Virginia was allowed the chance to impress in back-to-back FA Cup ties but Dyche’s options to mix things up elsewhere in the team are limited.
The back four will pick itself in the absence of Coleman and Young, likewise central midfield so it’s in the forward areas where the gaffer might tinker. Beto and Calvert-Lewin started in a strike partnership against Luton that didn’t look like it was destined to work so it’s possible he might bring Arnaut Danjuma into the starting XI now that it appears as though Kevin Thelwell will resist any approach from Lyon to take the Dutchman on loan.
Lewis Dobbin has shown flashes of promise but remains raw, as does Youssef Chermiti who made a cameo at the end of the cup tie on Saturday but it wasn’t enough time for him to stake a claim for a rare start.
The Cottagers under former Toffees boss, Marco Silva, have already beaten Everton somewhat fortuitously on two occasions this season, first on the opening day in the Premier League and then in the Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals in that dramatic penalty shootout that feels more and more like a watershed moment in the Blues’ season.
They come into the weekend sitting in 13th place and seven points better off than Everton but they will be without Harry Wilson who is ruled out and Adama Traore who is very likely to join his team-mate on the sidelines because of a thigh problem. Ex-Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi is on AfCoN duty along with Calvin Bassey and Fode Ballo-Toure.
Kick-off: 7:45pm, Tuesday 30 January, 2024
Referee: Tom Bramall
VAR: David Coote
Last Time: Fulham 0 – 0 Everton
Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Onana, Garner, Harrison, McNeil, Danjuma, Calvert-Lewin
Reader Comments (19)
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Pete Jeffries
2 Posted
29/01/2024 at
21:02:34
Blackburn tonight look as if they know how to pass to each other, despite having two poor wingers including one called Sigurdsson
My main worry, amongst others, is our full backs who were terrible v Luton.
Stephen Davies
3 Posted
29/01/2024 at
21:08:47
Godfrey Right Back.
Young Midfield for Onana.
Danjuma for Beto.
*Taps nose
Dave Lynch
4 Posted
29/01/2024 at
21:25:07
Again I cant see us getting anything out of this unless there is a massive improvement in attitude and tactics.
Andy Mead
5 Posted
29/01/2024 at
22:05:36
Drop DCL and give Chermiti a go. Dobbin and Danjima for Harrison and McNeill. They can’t do any worse. If Dyche goes with the same personnel he needs his head read.
John Raftery
6 Posted
29/01/2024 at
22:19:05
Andy (5) Cant do worse? Oh yes, they can! The last time Chermiti and Dobbin started together in the first team was at Doncaster in August. They were both hauled off at half-time with the team losing 1-0.
Jim Wilson
7 Posted
29/01/2024 at
22:26:26
But I wish we could bring in another midfielder in this window. Someone who has a tackle and can pass and help us to start controlling games more. The best available on a free or loan.
We must make ourselves harder to beat.
The Luton game should be a wake up call. If we don’t get our points back Luton will finish above unless we strengthen.
Barkley getting injured would be a massive bonus for us too.
Jerome Shields
8 Posted
29/01/2024 at
22:32:02
I would have Beto start.Give Calvert Lewin a rest and he can play against Spurs at the weekend.Hopefully the passing is sorted out in midfield and crosses are actually delivered.
Stuart Graham
9 Posted
29/01/2024 at
22:33:19
I get this maybe a ridiculous idea, but given the current constraints, what about playing Patterson in front of Seamus on the right, and moving Jack into the Doucoure role?
John Keating
10 Posted
29/01/2024 at
22:35:30
I usually have a chat with the priest after mass about footy
He says hes been praying for us since the 10 points deduction
Yesterday he told me hed given up because its not working!
Without divine intervention then were really in the shit!
Jim Wilson
11 Posted
29/01/2024 at
22:47:35
Stuart – if Seamus is fit (not sure he is though) I would go for that too. It is not ridiculous at all.
John Maxwell
12 Posted
29/01/2024 at
22:56:19
The team is totally devoid of confidence.
We need someone who can fill the role Doucoure plays with the link from midfield to attach, I would play Danjuma (if he is still with us) we have no creativity and our forwards are shit at the moment.
Brian Wilkinson
13 Posted
29/01/2024 at
23:56:45
Again we have the option to give McNeil and Harrison a bit of a rest until the second half, Danjuma and Dobbin out wide, if it goes to plan, might not have to even bring Harrison or McNeil on, but there if we need options after ht, might even work in our favour if both get last 15 mins of the game, running at tired defenders, could just be the key McNeil and Harrison open late on.
I honestly hope though that we try and tweak something, alternate the starting 11, these players looked goosed, time for a recharge, by all means play them, but use if needed from the bench, these same 11 have not got another 75 mins in them on such a short turnaround, they have given everything, got the points back, had a huge fixture pile up in December and January, bench a couple tomorrow and at least give us a chance of getting results in both games, but we simply cannot start with the same 11 tomorrow and Saturday, get some fresh legs in early doors, then use impact subs second half.
Jerome Shields
14 Posted
29/01/2024 at
00:03:50
I agree Danjuma should start.Aleast he is rested..I would stick with the same backline, They will have learnt from the Luton game. Keane is going to get a run out either this game or the Spurs game, hopefully he feels he has something to prove.
David McMullen
15 Posted
30/01/2024 at
00:12:27
Bobby (1) Dyche didn’t say that. Dyche didn’t say the fans don’t care about the club, just want the points, he was referring to a question about him and how he sees how he’s done in the 12 months. He’s referring generally that fans aren’t interested in what he’s done off the pitch, they just want the points. It was literally that.
Jack Convery
16 Posted
30/01/2024 at
00:17:42
in a 5 3 1 1 formation.
COYBs we need 3 points with Spurs and City next.
Dale Self
17 Posted
30/01/2024 at
00:27:13
And Stuart 9,that isnt ridiculous. It is creative and sensible thinking although Harrison needs to move into the middle from the wing. Im not sure he can do the 10 and cant threaten the backline like Doucoure. We are coming back, maybe not here but we are coming back. Stay with them UTFT!
Dale Self
18 Posted
30/01/2024 at
00:42:02
Did DCL create an opportunity for another? That is my question.
Mark Taylor
19 Posted
30/01/2024 at
00:56:37
The only other viable change would be Danjuma for McNeil. I rate the latter, certainly more than Harrison, but he takes forever to get back to full speed after injury and Danjuma is at least a fresh, viable option.
While I wouldn’t start either, I’d also be inclined to turn quickly to Dobbin and/or Chermiti if we get the same turgid, lifeless performance as Saturday’s. In response to an earlier poster, I can’t see the point of judging Chermiti on the back of a lousy performance a few weeks after he arrived. Or if there is one, he might as well not be in the squad, because that will forever be the reason he doesn’t get game time.
At least Gana is on his way home- and no holiday diversions please…
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
Bobby Mallon
1 Posted
29/01/2024 at
20:40:44
I wasnt impressed with Dyche press conference saying the fans dont care about the club they just want points