Everton FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League Everton fans outside the stadium before the Premier League match between Everton FC and AFC Bournemouth at Goodison Park on May 28, 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Liverpool Goodison Park England United Kingdom PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xWillxPalmer/Sportsphoto/APLx 13947863
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last three fixtures But despite Dyche’s side losing their way in the 1-1 draw at Leicester City after the Dane was withdrawn, after getting hooked at half-time against Crystal Palace, his replacement Jack Harrison made a positive difference as he put in the cross for Dwight McNeil’s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.
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.
