Dwight McNeil could face brutal Everton axe after shocker v Liverpool, Arnaut Danjuma must replace him
Everton winger Dwight McNeil may well be in last-chance saloon territory after his performance against Liverpool with Arnaut Danjuma patiently waiting on the sidelines for a chance.
Mohamed Salah was the Merseyside derby match-winner with a second-half double as Liverpool defeated the 10-man Blues 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday (21 October).
Everton were unable to spring a surprise after coming into the game in buoyant mood on the back of a 3-0 win over Bournemouth, and they returned the short-distance home across Stanley Park empty-handed.
The Toffees’ job was certainly made all the more difficult when Ashley Young was deservedly sent off in the 37th minute after a needless second yellow foul on Luis Diaz.
However, throughout the whole game, it was a relatively easy task for the Reds in the end as Sean Dyche’s men only registered just one shot on target all afternoon [SofaScore] – an early header from Dominic Calvert-Lewin which was easily swallowed up by Alisson.
That chance was provided by McNeil who swung in an impressive and accurate cross for the English international to meet, but that was just about it from the former Burnley man who was forced off at half-time in a hapless display in the end.
As per SofaScore, McNeil did win three of his five ground duels and successfully completed 100% of his dribbles at Anfield but it was his effectiveness going forward that will have Dyche incredibly worried.
McNeil completed just one cross all afternoon and registered one key pass for that Calvert-Lewin header, but failed to register a single shot on target and 0% of his aerial duels.
Certainly, Dyche loves picking the Manchester United academy product because of his work off the ball and telling crosses from wide areas but there’s got to be a point when both Dyche and the Toffees faithful will want goals and assists – especially if they’re to finish even higher this season.
The Everton manager already holds a productive and consistently dangerous threat right under his nose on the bench in Arnaut Danjuma and the Villarreal loanee must be pondering what he needs to do to get in Dyche’s first XI.
He has been afforded just four starting opportunities in the league this season, including the unfortunate defeat to Wolves, their 2-2 draw to Sheffield United where he scored and their defeat to Arsenal.
He has not looked poor from the bench or when starting. Per FBRef, he has earned 2.41 shot-creating actions per 90, 3.86 shots per 90 and 16 overall shots – the joint most in the Everton squad with Abdoulaye Doucoure.
In fact, he delivered a rather encouraging cameo when he came on against Liverpool which should have given Dyche food for thought ahead of their game against West Ham next weekend.
He also displayed some excellent dribbling, ball retention and progressive play. Across 90 minutes, the 26-year-old could have had a significant say in the game. He offers plenty of pace that could have been ideal for Everton’s counter-attacking tactics.
Per SofaScore, he managed two dribbles in ten minutes – the third most of all the Everton squad below Dwight McNeil (three) and Doucoure (four). Danjuma also won both his attempted ground duels, but his impact could not be felt.
Throughout his career, Danjuma has proven a reliable source of goals and assists, the same can’t be said of McNeil in that respect and it is why Dyche must axe the latter if Everton are to have a chance of exceeding expectations this season.
In other Everton news, BBC Pundit Stephen Warnock smashes into Craig Pawson over a controversial moment in the Merseyside derby.