Peter Lynch

Thu 11 May 2023 14:10, UK

Everton defender Yerry Mina can “wind up” Manchester City star Erling Haaland in their clash on Sunday (14 May), according to Michael Ball.

The Toffees welcome the league leaders to Goodison Park in Premier League action.

The hosts are in desperate need of points to push away from the relegation zone, with the visitors aiming to extend their lead at the top.

“Stopping Erling Haaland might sound like an impossible task but Everton’s centre-backs should relish the challenge and with Yerry Mina now back in the team alongside James Tarkowski, Sean Dyche has the ideal pair to try and get under the prolific Manchester City striker’s skin,” Ball wrote for the Liverpool Echo.

“Yerry is the master at it, he loves it. He seems to be a very likeable character around Finch Farm and all the other players get on with him as he’s something of a joker who likes to play football with a smile on his face but he also likes to wind up the opposition.”

Aggressive approach needed

Mina has been an outcast at Goodison Park in recent times, with the Everton defender making just his fourth Premier League appearance of the season in the 5-1 win against Brighton on Monday (8 May).

Given his lack of game time, the centre-back would have been forgiven for failing to shine against the Seagulls, but that wasn’t the case as he impressed in defence to keep a talented Brighton attack relatively quiet.

Dyche looks set to continue with Mina and Tarkowski at the back against Manchester City, but the duo are in for a next-level test against Pep Guardiola’s men, with Haaland currently the hottest striker in world football.

The clash at Goodison may represent one of the few times that he fails to find the back of the net, but Mina and Tarkowski will need to produce a world-class display to make that happen.

And a physical, aggressive approach will definitely need to be taken by the defensive duo to ensure the formidable forward has a quiet afternoon on Merseyside.