Dominic Calvert-Lewin missing as Ashley Young decision made – Confirmed Everton XI vs Nottingham Forest
Sean Dyche’s confirmed Everton starting XI for the trip to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground has been released by the club.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin hasn’t overcome an injury picked up against Manchester United last week and misses out entirely, so Beto starts up front in his place in the only change from the previous outing, as the Portuguese makes the XI for the first time in the top flight since 23 September against Brentford.
That means Ashley Young, heavily criticised for conceding a penalty at Goodison Park, keeps his place in defence, while Amadou Onana misses out again as expected.
Otherwise it is Jordan Pickford in goal, with Vitalii Mykolenko, Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski alongside Young at the back.
Idrissa Gueye keeps his place with Onana out, alongside James Garner, with James Harrison and Dwight McNeil either side and Abdoulaye Doucouré in behind Beto.
Focus
Given the chaos of the international break dumping the Toffees back down in the relegation zone thanks to their 10-point deduction it is easy to forget that the club’s form is pretty solid.
Even the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United in the first game back last week was deceptive when Dyche’s men were nowhere near as bad as that scoreline suggests, and nor were Erik ten Hag’s that good overall.
Everton would have badly wanted to get something from that game as a clear response to the punishment, in order to help galvanise the fans following a substantial protest ahead of and during the game.
That chance went begging and has necessarily increased the stakes for the trip to the City Ground, but performances away from home have been strong this season, even if the Calvert-Lewin absence on top of Onana is a concern.
If Dyche and the players are able to record a key win or two before too many fixtures go by then it should steady the ship amid the off-field disruption.
Even a point against Forest would be something in order to prevent too much pressure building up around the team at a crucial time, but with the likes of Luton and Burnley finally showing signs of life leeway is reducing.
In other Everton news, Andy Burnham is not backing down after receiving a “highly problematic” response from the Premier League that has left him even more concerned about the Toffees’ case.