Sean Dyche has big Ashley Young decision to make at Everton after what happened v Newcastle United
Thirty-eight-year-old Ashley Young was one of the star players during a 3-0 victory over Newcastle United for Everton on Thursday night.
With Seamus Coleman returning from injury, Young’s usual right-back spot was occupied, which meant the defender was placed further forward in a position he used to play in his younger years.
Up against Anthony Gordon, and the occasional Valentino Livramento burst of pace, Young and Coleman built up a superb partnership down the right side. It was a stroke of genius from Sean Dyche.
While former Toffees winger Gordon poses one challenge, the idea of Raheem Sterling or Mykhaylo Mudryk is an entirely different challenge when Everton face Chelsea on Saturday.
Young’s energy was contagious against the Magpies, pushing his fellow teammates to play at 110 per cent up until the final whistle. Even at nearly 40 years old, the player was all over the pitch and was vital to Everton’s victory.
Although he was lucky to escape a yellow card, making four fouls during the 90 minutes, the makeshift winger won 100 per cent of his tackles (5/5) – the most out of everyone on the pitch – and won six ground duels. [FotMob]
He was also a threat at the attacking end of the pitch, letting off two shots and creating two chances. It would be easy for the plaudits of Dwight McNeil and Abdoulaye Doucoure to get carried away, especially because of their goals, but Young still managed to shine through.
Despite a potential injury to captain Coleman, Nathan Patterson is ready and available to fill in, allowing Young to stay in his advanced position against Chelsea.
Of course, it would be silly to overuse a tactic just because it worked in the last match. But against Chelsea, it could sway the result in Everton’s favour.
In other Everton news, stance emerges as Tottenham push to sign ace in January.